Changing Population of Europe by Noin, Daniel; Woods, Robert;

Short description:

In this book, nineteen European scholars describe the characteristics and trends evident in the European population at a crucial point in its history. The volume opens with accounts of the general character of the population, its history since the last century, and its current geographical distribution.

Long description:

In this book, nineteen European scholars describe the characteristics and trends evident in the European population at a crucial point in its history. The volume opens with accounts of the general character of the population, its history since the last century, and its current geographical distribution. The authors then discuss mortality, health provision and culture; fertility, abortion and pro-natalist policies; the ageing population, retirement and state provision; the nuclear family and its future, one-parent households, divorce, remarriage, cohabitation and the increase in lone individuals; regional patterns of provision and demand for education; variations in employment and the informal economy; and the contrasting roles of women and attitudes to gender within Europe.

Migrants and minorities, whether dominant, repressed or tolerated, have characterized Europe throughout its history and continue to do so. Four chapters consider the related issues of migration within Europe, immigration from outside, national and Community policies, and the autonomy of ethnic minorities.

The European Community is populous and rich: with little more than one-twentieth of the world's population on one fifteenth of its land, it controls over one quarter of its wealth. The last may grow; relative to the rest of the world the first is fast declining. Europe is moving towards an as yet undefined unity that already includes freedom of movement and employment, but its variety of national, regional and ethnic cultures is likely to disappear, however convergent social and economic policies become. An understanding of this multiplicity of culture and behaviour is vital to Europe's well-being. In balanced, clear and articulate analyses of often controversial issues, this book makes an important contribution to that understanding.

In this book, nineteen European scholars describe the characteristics and trends evident in the European population at a crucial point in its history. The volume opens with accounts of the general character of the population, its history since the last century, and its current geographical distribution. The authors then discuss mortality, health provision and culture; fertility, abortion and pro-natalist policies; the ageing population, retirement and state provision; the nuclear family and its future, one-parent households, divorce, remarriage, cohabitation and the increase in lone individuals; regional patterns of provision and demand for education; variations in employment and the informal economy; and the contrasting roles of women and attitudes to gender within Europe.

"
The Changing Population of Europe is a very welcome addition to the literature on the old continent, and an important guide to understanding the social and demographic transformations from the end of the War to the end of the century and beyond. Well documented, scientifically sound, well written and balanced, the book addresses not only the traditional topics of demography, but also a whole range of less conventional issues, like the role of women, education and ethnicity. I liked the comparative perspective, the compact and essential documentation, the clarity of the language. Good for the student, the scholar and the cultivated general reader."
Massimo Livi-Bacci

"Indispensable for anyone studying social sciences and social policy in Europe." European Journal of Intercultural Studies

"An important book for students of European population." Progress in Human Geography

"A comprehensive survey of Europe's demographic development." Regional Studies

Table of Contents:

Preface.

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

1. The European Community and its Population: Daniel Noin (University of Paris).

2. Evolution of the Population: A Slow Growth: Philip E. Ogden (Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London).

3. Geographical Distribution and Urbanization: A. G. Champion (University of Newcastle upon Tyne).

4. Spatial Inequalities in Mortality: Daniel Noin.

5. Fertility: The Lowest Level in the World: Deborah Sporton (University of Sheffield).

6. Fertility Policies: A Limited Influence?: Jacqueline Hecht and Henri Leridon (both at the Institut National d'Etudes Demographiques, Paris).

7. Age and Sex Structures: Pierre-Jean Thumerelle (University of Lille).

8. Demographic Ageing: Trends and Policy Responses : Anthony M. Warnes (King's College, University of London).

9. Family Structures: Ray Hall (Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London).

10. Education: Jean Renard (University of Lille).

11. The Geography of Employment : Christian Vandermotten (Free University of Brussels).

12. Unemployment: Regional Variations in Age and Sex Specific Rates: Aurora Garcia Ballesteros (Complutense University, Madrid).

13. The Role of Women in the Post-Industrial Economy: Giovanna Brunetta (University of Padua, Italy).

14. Internal Migration and Mobility: Gildas Simon (University of Poitiers, France).

15. External International Migration: John Salt (University College, University of London).

16. Migration Policies: Jurgen Bahr and Jorg Kohli (Both at the University of Kiel, Germany).

17. Ethnic Minority Communities in Europe: Paul White (University of Sheffield).

18. Postscript: One Europe, Many Demographies?: Robert Woods (University of Liverpool).

Bibliography.

List of Contributors.

Index.