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Europe's population at a turning point

Authors: Lutz W, O'Neill BC, Scherbov S

Publication Year: 2003

Reference: Science, 299(5615):1991-1992 (28 March 2003)

. Also available as IIASA Reprint RP-03-006

Abstract

Low birthrates in Europe have begun to generate negative population momentum, a new force for population shrinkage over the coming decades. Birthrates are low partly because of the current trend in Europe toward bearing children at later and later ages. A continuation of this trend could substantially exacerbate future aging of the population and contribute to a future decline in population size. Social policies and labor laws aimed at halting further increases in the mean age of childbearing are proposed in this Policy Forum.