Current demographic trends raise new questions, challenges and controversies. Comparing demographic trends in Europe and the NAME-region (North Africa and the Middle East), this book demonstrates how population change interacts with changing economic landscapes, social distinctions and political realities. A variety of drivers contribute to demographic change in the various regions and countries considered, such as family policies, economic realities, the impact of educational differentials and the attitudes towards marriage. On the macro-level the new trends are restructuring the age composition of populations and are reshaping the life courses of individuals and families. In turn, the impact demographic forces have on the organisation of labour markets, on fiscal policies, on the care of the elderly, on migration flows and on political changes can be quite radical. The volume provides food for thought for those who are looking for a nuanced perspective on the background and future perspectives of demographic developments in Europe, for a discussion of recent demographic and political realities in the NAME countries, and for those who analyse the effects of contrasting demographic regimes on migration flows to and migration politics in Europe.
Contents: Introduction, Koenraad Matthijs, Karel Neels, Christiane Timmerman, Jacques Haers and Sara Mels. Part I Population Change in Europe: Demographic transitions in Europe and the world, Frans Willekens; Economic conditions and variation in first birth hazards in 22 European countries between 1970 and 2005, Jonas Wood, Jorik Vergauwen and Karel Neels; Decreasing fertility in Europe: is it a policy issue?, Olivier Thevenon. Part II Demographic Change in the NAME Region: The demographic transition in the Arab world: the dual role of marriage in family dynamics and population growth, Paul Puschmann and Koen Matthijs; Who's next? Age structure and the prospects of democracy and conflict in North Africa and the Middle East, Richard Cincotta; Does demographic revolution lead to democratic revolution? The case of North Africa and the Middle East, Youssef Courbage and Paul Puschmann. Part III Pathways for Policy: Ageing and fiscal sustainability in the European Union, Marga Peeters and Loek Groot; Is a rise in employment always positive from a social perspective? A household dimension of the precarious labour market integration of immigrants in Belgium, Vincent Corluy and Gerlinde Verbist; International migration: the future challenges for Europe, Ronald Skeldon. Index.
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