Population Dilemmas in Europe
demography
the statistical study of populations, especially human beings.
death rates
the number of people per thousand who die in a particular area during a particular period of time.
Population Change
total fertility rate
A Shrinking Population
reasons for Europe's low birth rates
Responses to Negative Growth
A Model of Population Change
An Aging Population
Population Pyramids Show Growth Trends
population pyramid
dependency ratio
life expectancy
The number of old and young dependents who don't work compared with the working age population.
Most young people under the age of 16 in Europe don't work. And most people over the age of 64 are retired.
a graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age groups in a population which forms the shape of a pyramid when the population is growing.
birth rate
the total number of live births per 1000 in a population in a year or period of time.
Europe has the oldest population of any continent and it has the lowest birth rate.
Europe's total fertility rate is low
the average number of babies born to each woman
replacement rate
For example, In Italy, the replacement rate is just over two babies per woman
the number of children that a couple would have to have over the course of their reproductive years in order to replace themselves.
Europe's life expectancy has increased
statistical measure of the average time an organism is expected to live
1750s: long period of rapid population growth.
demographic transition model
After 1900: Most Europeans moved from farms to cities and birth rates began to fall. By 2000, Europe has entered a period of negative growth.
a model of population changes from a low stable population to a high stable population as a result of a preliminary fall in the death rate from a high level to be followed later by a fall in the birth rate.
Housing costs and living expenses are high in much of Europe
good childcare is often hard to find
many young women put off having babies while they focus on education or a career
problems
School closure
Teacher loses work
unemployment
Labor shortage
cessation of business
in France
Good, affordable childcare
birth bonus
gives a birth bonus for every child born in the country.
A family with three or more children receives additional benefits, such as reduced rents and lower taxes
in Sweden
helps parents pay for daycare for small children.
Many European governments have family-friendly policies to help working parents
Causes of an Aging Population
baby boom
a rise in life expectancy
drop in the birth rate
a sudden increase in the birth rate.
an aging population creates problems for a society
pensions and health care
Declining birth rate reduces the amount of money for pension and medical care
Responses to an Aging Population
way to reduce pension costs
cut the amount of money each worker receives
raise the retirement age
Germany, Italy, and the UK have all increased the age at which pensions begin
In Germany
preventing health problems
home care
in Italy
provides special health services to families who care for relatives
in Austria
pays pensions to people who give up jobs to care for family members
A Declining Workforce
Causes of Workforce Decline
More workers retire each year than join the workforce
changes in the dependency ratio
Problems
young people have trouble finding jobs
The fewer the workers, the less the tax
Responses to a Declining Workforce
keep older workers working longer
encourage more women to join the workforce
look for workers outside of Europe