Timing Matters

Timing Matters

Fertility patterns of migrants from low-fertility countries in Norway
Marianne Tønnessen & Eleonora Mussino of the Stockholm University Demography Unit investigated fertility trends among immigrant women from low-fertility countries in their destination country of Norway, a moderate-fertility country.

Marianne Tønnessen & Eleonora Mussino of the Stockholm University Demography Unit investigated fertility trends among immigrant women from low-fertility countries in their destination country of Norway, a moderate-fertility country.

Books and Reports: Demography on the European Agenda: Strategies for Tackling Demographic Decline

Demography on the European Agenda: Strategies for Tackling Demographic Decline

Read the full report here
Demography matters. The economy, labour market, healthcare, pensions, regional development, and election results – all are driven by demography. EU Member States have their own strategies and policies in order to counteract demographic decline. The EU also has an auxiliary role when it comes to tackling demographic challenges. Nevertheless, the EU has limited legal powers when it comes to dealing with issues that are related to demography.

Demography matters. The economy, labour market, healthcare, pensions, regional development, and election results – all are driven by demography. EU Member States have their own strategies and policies in order to counteract demographic decline. The EU also has an auxiliary role when it comes to tackling demographic challenges. Nevertheless, the EU has limited legal powers when it comes to dealing with issues that are related to demography.

Democracy and Demography: It is time to invest in children

Democracy and Demography: It is time to invest in children

by Francesco Billari, Bocconi University
Francesco Billari of Bocconi University argues that the European Union must use COVID-19 crisis exit funds to prioritise investment in children and the institutions that shape them, their schools and families. These funds would be, if well-orchestrated, a social investment: Improving the life chances of children would diminish inequalities in the long term, and at the same time it would increase human capital, leading to economic growth in the long run.

<p>Francesco Billari of Bocconi University argues that the European Union must use COVID-19 crisis exit funds to prioritise investment in children and the institutions that shape them, their schools and families. These funds would be, if well-orchestrated, a social investment: Improving the life chances of children would diminish inequalities in the long term, and at the same time it would increase human capital, leading to economic growth in the long run.</p>

Levelling the Playing Field

Levelling the Playing Field

Paternity leave as a solution for the motherhood penalty
Dunatchik and Özcan find that a non-transferable paternity leave policy in Quebec had a short-term positive impact on mothers’ labour outcomes, including workforce participation and full-time employment.

Dunatchik and Özcan find that a non-transferable paternity leave policy in Quebec had a short-term positive impact on mothers’ labour outcomes, including workforce participation and full-time employment.

Children of Divorce

Children of Divorce

Forerunners of new cohabitation patterns
Juho Härkönen, M.D. (Anne) Brons & Jaap Dronkers found that children of divorce are among the forerunners of cohabitation as a replacement for marriage, choosing cohabitation over marriage at a faster rate than children of intact families. As cohabitation becomes more common, children from intact families "catch up" to children of divorce in their cohabitation patterns. 

Juho Härkönen, M.D. (Anne) Brons & Jaap Dronkers found that children of divorce are among the forerunners of cohabitation as a replacement for marriage, choosing cohabitation over marriage at a faster rate than children of intact families. As cohabitation becomes more common, children from intact families "catch up" to children of divorce in their cohabitation patterns. 

Marriage, Divorce & Cohabitation

Marriage, Divorce & Cohabitation

Partnership patterns of migrants and their descendants
Much research has been dedicated to the family patterns of immigrants in Europe, but there are few cross-national comparisons. Hannemann, Kulu, González-Ferrer (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC Madrid), Pailhé, Rahnu and Puur investigated marriage, divorce, and cohabitation habits among immigrants and their descendants in four very different European countries: the UK, Spain, France, and Estonia. Their analysis demonstrated significant heterogeneity in partnership behaviour across migrant groups both within the same country and across the four European countries.

Tina Hannemann (University of Manchester), Hill Kulu (University of St Andrews), Amparo González-Ferrer (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC Madrid), Pailhé (Institut National d'Études Démographiques, INED), Rahnu & Puur (University of Tallinn) investigated marriage, divorce, and cohabitation habits among immigrants and their descendants in four very different European countries: the UK, Spain, France, and Estonia. Their analysis demonstrated significant heterogeneity in partnership behaviour across migrant groups both within the same country and across the four European countries.

Living Alone or With Family

Living Alone or With Family

Differences among regions in living arrangements over the life course
How do countries differ in decisions to live alone over the life course? Researchers at the Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics & Universidad Complutense looked at global patterns and trends of those living alone based on sex and age. They found cross-national differences by gender and country-specific trends, and concluded that living alone is related to levels of individualism.

How do countries differ in decisions to live alone over the life course? Researchers at the Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics & Universidad Complutense looked at global patterns and trends of those living alone based on sex and age. They found cross-national differences by gender and country-specific trends, and concluded that living alone is related to levels of individualism.

Is There Still a Penalty for Having Children?

Is There Still a Penalty for Having Children?

Exploring the accuracy of the motherhood earnings penalty in the 21st century
Muller, Hiekel & Liefbroer investigate whether the "motherhood (earnings) penalty" holds true in the 21st century. Their results show that family trajectories do indeed have long-lasting consequences for women's personal earnings and employment, with women who follow traditional family trajectories facing the highest penalties.

Muller, Hiekel & Liefbroer investigate whether the "motherhood (earnings) penalty" holds true in the 21st century. Their results show that family trajectories do indeed have long-lasting consequences for women's personal earnings and employment, with women who follow traditional family trajectories facing the highest penalties.

Books and Reports: Understanding the Housing Conditions Experienced by Children in the EU

Understanding the Housing Conditions Experienced by Children in the EU

Read the full report here
The provision of quality and affordable housing is an important mechanism for tackling child poverty, promoting the social inclusion of children and minimising the risk of homelessness among children in the EU. This memo outlines the housing conditions experienced by children across the EU and describes actions taken by EU countries and at the European level to improve the situation.

The provision of quality and affordable housing is an important mechanism for tackling child poverty, promoting the social inclusion of children and minimising the risk of homelessness among children in the EU. This memo outlines the housing conditions experienced by children across the EU and describes actions taken by EU countries and at the European level to improve the situation.

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