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Declining fertility and policy intervention in Europe: Some lessons for Australia?

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  • Graeme Hugo

    (University of Adelaide)

Abstract

The contemporary fertility situation in Europe is outlined with emphasis on trends in the late 1990s. It is shown that while most European countries have lower fertility levels than Australia there is wide variation between countries with respect to both their levels of fertility and their rate of fertility decline. While almost all countries are experiencing fertility decline the rate of decline is higher and the fertility is lower in countries where the male-breadwinner model is strongest. Attempts to influence fertility in European nations are discussed, particularly those involving the introduction of family-friendly policies. It is clear that despite popular beliefs to the contrary, societies where male-breadwinner models influence policy most are those with lowest fertility. The lesson for Australia is that family-friendly policies not only are desirable from the perspective of moving toward gender equality but are likely to stabilize or perhaps even marginally increase fertility.

Suggested Citation

  • Graeme Hugo, 2000. "Declining fertility and policy intervention in Europe: Some lessons for Australia?," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 175-198, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joprea:v:17:y:2000:i:2:d:10.1007_bf03029464
    DOI: 10.1007/BF03029464
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Bongaarts, 1999. "Fertility Decline in the Developed World: Where Will It End?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(2), pages 256-260, May.
    2. repec:cai:popine:popu_p1999_11n1_0247 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Alison Mackinnon, 2000. "‘Bringing the unclothed immigrant into the World’: Population policies and gender in twentieth-century Australia," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 109-123, November.
    2. Frątczak, Ewa, 2004. "Family and Fertility in Poland: Changes during the Transition Period," Discussion Paper 206, Center for Intergenerational Studies, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    3. Joan Costa-Font & Raphael Wittenberg & Concepció Patxot & Adelina Comas-Herrera & Cristiano Gori & Alessandra di Maio & Linda Pickard & Alessandro Pozzi & Heinz Rothgang, 2008. "Projecting Long-Term Care Expenditure in Four European Union Member States: The Influence of Demographic Scenarios," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 86(2), pages 303-321, April.
    4. Adelina Comas-Herrera & Alessandra di Maio & Alessandro Pozzi & Concepció Patxot & Cristiano Gori & Heinz Rothgang & Joan Costa i Font & Linda Pickard & Raphael Wittenberg, "undated". "How Does Demography affect Long-Term Care Expenditures Projections?," Studies on the Spanish Economy 231, FEDEA.

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