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Header Newsletter

Population Europe Newsletter - April 2021

Our newsletter is a bit later than usual, but we’ve been busy! One big project we’ve been working on is re-designing and updating our website. It just went live this week, so make sure to check it out. On March 29th, our own Dr Daniela Vono de Vilhena spoke at the European Parliamentary Research Service’s annual roundtable about the 'Demographic Outlook for the European Union'. To help emphasise a main point of her presentation for the need for improved data, we invited experts to participate in a special Twitter Takeover Series focused on addressing the current state of COVID-19-related data. Thank you to all those that participated, and if you missed it, you can check out all their interesting insights here.

Pop Digest
Pregnant woman with toddler

Parent-Child Relationships

Does being conceived with help of medically assisted reproduction play a role?
Alice Goisis and Maria Palma (Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, UCL) looked at parent-child relationships of individuals around the age of 14 in the UK. Their results suggest that differences between the medically assisted reproduction and natural conception families in terms of closeness and frequency of quarrelling are small, and generally not statistically significant.

In a new study, Alice Goisis and Maria Palma (Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, UCL) looked at parent-child relationships of individuals around the age of 14 in the UK by exploring data from the Millennium Cohort Study and analysed relationships with both mothers and fathers. Their results suggest that differences between the MAR and NC families in terms of closeness and frequency of quarrelling are small, and generally not statistically significant. However, they did find statistically significant differences on the specific indicator of closeness.

Young and Old Woman

Risky Behaviours and Life Expectancy in Europe

The combined impact of smoking, obesity and alcohol on national life expectancy levels and trends
Fanny Janssen (Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute and University of Groningen), Sergi Trias-Llimós (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Centre for Demographic Studies CED Barcelona) and Anton E. Kunst (University of Amsterdam) examined the individual and combined effects of smoking, obesity and alcohol not only on life expectancy levels but also on secular trends in life expectancy for 30 European countries.

Fanny Janssen (Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) and University of Groningen), Sergi Trias-Llimós (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Centre for Demographic Studies CED Barcelona) and Anton E. Kunst (University of Amsterdam) examined the individual and combined effects of smoking, obesity and alcohol not only on life expectancy levels but also on secular trends in life expectancy for 30 European countries.

Should I Have a Kid?

Should I Have a Kid?

Fertility intentions among native and migrant women in Italy
Eleonora Mussino, Giuseppe Gabrielli, Livia Elisa Ortensi and Salvatore Strozza inquire directly into the short-term fertility intentions of migrants compared to natives in Italy. They also ask whether demographic and socio-economic factors play different roles in the two groups.

Eleonora Mussino (Stockholm University Demography Unit), Giuseppe Gabrielli (University of Naples Federico II), Livia Elisa Ortensi (University of Bologna) and Salvatore Strozza (University of Naples Federico II) inquire directly into the short-term fertility intentions of migrants compared to natives in Italy. They also ask whether demographic and socio-economic factors play different roles in the two groups.

man signing contract

Spillover Effects of Fixed-Term Employment on the Subjective Well-Being of Partners

In a recent study, Sonja Scheuring (ERC project SECCOPA, University of Bamberg), Jonas Voßemer (ERC project HEALFAM, Mannheim Centre for European Social Research, MZES), Anna Baranowska-Rataj (ERC project HEALFAM, Umeå University) and Giulia Tattarini (Berlin Social Science Center, WZB) investigated how employment transitions into and out of fixed-term contracts affect the well-being of partners in Germany.

In a recent study, Sonja Scheuring (ERC project SECCOPA, University of Bamberg), Jonas Voßemer (ERC project HEALFAM, Mannheim Centre for European Social Research, MZES), Anna Baranowska-Rataj (ERC project HEALFAM, Umeå University) and Giulia Tattarini (Berlin Social Science Center, WZB) investigated how employment transitions into and out of fixed-term contracts affect the well-being of partners in Germany.

Fertility Behaviours and Socio-Economic Status

Fertility Behaviours and Socio-Economic Status

Differences have widened during the global fertility transition
To better understand how the differences by socio-economic status developed during the transition from high to low rates of childbearing, Martin Dribe (Lund University) and Francesco Scalone (University of Bologna) analysed large-scale micro-level population data from the IPUMS archive.

To better understand how the differences by SES developed during the transition from high to low rates of childbearing, Martin Dribe (Lund University) and Francesco Scalone (University of Bologna) analysed large-scale micro-level population data from the IPUMS archive.

Older Latina woman on a couch

The Longevity Revolution is Going Strong

The human longevity revolution that started in 1840 shows no signs of ending soon, according to a Perspectives article published in PNAS. Understanding how much human lifespan can be extended is a major scientific goal, with critical implications across health, social, political, cultural, and economic domains. James Vaupel, Francisco Villavicencio and Marie-Pier Bergeron-Boucher summarize past trends in human longevity, upcoming prospects for life expectancy, and potential directions for future research.
It’s Dad’s Turn

It’s Dad’s Turn

How the pandemic affected gendered division of childcare time
Michaela Kreyenfeld (Hertie School) and Sabine Zinn (Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW) and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin) used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) to examine how time spent on childcare changed for mothers and fathers respectively from 2019 to spring 2020.

Michaela Kreyenfeld (Hertie School) and Sabine Zinn (Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW) and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin) used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) to examine how time spent on childcare changed for mothers and fathers respectively from 2019 to spring 2020.

Socio-Economic Background and Family Formation

Socio-Economic Background and Family Formation

To what extent does the societal context affect the influence of socio-economic status on the decision to have a child while cohabiting?
Judith Koops, Aart Liefbroer and Anne Gauthier (Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute) studied the role of the SES of one’s parents on having a first birth in cohabitation or marriage in 19 European and North American countries.

Judith Koops, Aart Liefbroer and Anne Gauthier (Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute) studied the role of the SES of one’s parents on having a first birth in cohabitation or marriage in 19 European and North American countries.

Couple sitting on couch wearing surgical masks

The Spread of Uncertainty Causes a Drop in Birth Rates

Chiara Ludovica Comolli (University of Lausanne) and Daniele Vignoli (University of Florence) look at how we know whether the particular media interpretation of an event is accepted and influences the behaviour of the general public.

Chiara Ludovica Comolli (University of Lausanne) and Daniele Vignoli (University of Florence) look at how we know whether the particular media interpretation of an event is accepted and influences the behaviour of the general public.

The Importance of Caring Relations in eHealth

The Importance of Caring Relations in eHealth

Jens Lindberg, Robert Bhatt and Anton Ferm from Umeå University describe older people’s perceptions of caring relations in the context of rural eHealth, as well as to explore how such relations can facilitate engagement in digital primary healthcare.

Jens Lindberg, Robert Bhatt and Anton Ferm from Umeå University describe older people’s perceptions of caring relations in the context of rural eHealth, as well as to explore how such relations can facilitate engagement in digital primary healthcare.

portrait of happy smiling senior couple using tablet at home

Cohabitation and Attitudes toward Union Dissolution

Martin Kreidl (Masaryk University) and Zuzana Žilinčíková (Université Catholique de Louvain) examine how marriage and cohabitation differ in their effect on attitudes toward family dissolution.

Martin Kreidl (Masaryk University) and Zuzana Žilinčíková (Université Catholique de Louvain) examine how marriage and cohabitation differ in their effect on attitudes toward family dissolution.

Close up of senior hands giving small planet earth to a child over defocused green background with copy space

Is Population Policy Part of the Answer to Climate Change?

A Survey among Demographers
Van Dalen and Henkens (both Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute) consider the relationship between population and climate change as well as the prospect of using population policy by asking the community of European demographers and population scientists what they think.

Van Dalen and Henkens (both Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute) consider the relationship between population and climate change as well as the prospect of using population policy by asking the community of European demographers and population scientists what they think.

Father cooking with kid

More Equal Sharing of Domestic Work?

Slow gender convergence in housework and childcare
Ariane Pailhé and Anne Solaz (Institut national d'études démographiques (INED)) and Maria Stanfors (Centre for Economic Demography, Lund University) analyse the trends of level shifts and gender differences in housework and childcare across France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S. from the mid-1980s to the early 2010s.

Ariane Pailhé and Anne Solaz (Institut national d'études démographiques (INED)) and Maria Stanfors (Centre for Economic Demography, Lund University) analyse the trends of level shifts and gender differences in housework and childcare across France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S. from the mid-1980s to the early 2010s.

Workers assembling and constructing gas turbines in a modern industrial factory

How Does Unemployment Affect Migrants’ Likelihood to Leave England and Wales?

An article in International Migration Review by Louise Caron and Mathieu Ichou (Institut National d’Etudes Démographiques, INED) refines the understanding of the role of unemployment at one’s destination on remigration behaviours.

An article in International Migration Review by Louise Caron and Mathieu Ichou (Institut National d’Etudes Démographiques, INED) refines the understanding of the role of unemployment at one’s destination on remigration behaviours.

Policy Insights
Pregnant woman traveling with airplane. Close up.

Missing New Births?

The impact of emigration during the Great Recession on fertility levels in Italy
In a recent paper published in the prestigious journal Demography, Massimo Anelli and Nicoletta Balbo asked the question: what would have happened to fertility levels in Italy if this massive emigration flow had not happened? Through this exercise, they could also understand what effect the recession on fertility levels would have been in the absence of out-migration.

In a recent paper published in the prestigious journal <em>Demography</em>, Massimo Anelli and Nicoletta Balbo asked the question: what would have happened to fertility levels in Italy if this massive emigration flow had not happened? Through this exercise, they could also understand what effect the recession on fertility levels would have been in the absence of out-migration.

Two human hands holding big tree and city over blurred green forest background

Measuring Improvement in Human Well-being Globally

By Erich Striessnig (Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, OeAW, University of Vienna))
Erich Striessnig (Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital) looks at how we can measure the progress of all these Sustainable Development Goals when the ‘Final list of proposed indicators’ contains 230 items?

Erich Striessnig (Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital) looks at how we can measure the progress of all these Sustainable Development Goals when the ‘Final list of proposed indicators’ contains 230 items?

News
Centre for Longitudinal Studies Logo

New Partner Institute: UCL Social Research Institute

Population Europe welcomes the Social Research Institute, a centre of the University College London, as the 36th partner in the Network of Europe's leading demographic research centres.

Population Europe welcomes the Social Research Institute, a centre of the University College London, as the 36th partner in the Network of Europe's leading demographic research centres.

News: 40 million NOK awarded to The Centre for Fertility and Health

40 million NOK awarded to The Centre for Fertility and Health

In December 2020, the Centre for Fertility and Health was awarded 40 million NOK by the Research Council of Norway to support the Centre in three new projects: (1) Sickness in the Family, (2) Transitions in the Education System and (3) Women's Fertility.

In December 2020, the Centre for Fertility and Health was awarded 40 million NOK by the Research Council of Norway to support the Centre in three new projects: (1) Sickness in the Family, (2) Transitions in the Education System and (3) Women's Fertility.

News: Melinda Mills appointed member of the EU Commission’s High-Level Advisory Group convened by Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni

Melinda Mills appointed member of the EU Commission’s High-Level Advisory Group convened by Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni

Melinda Mills was appointed as a member of the EU Commission’s High-Level Advisory Group convened by Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni to reflect on post-COVID economic and social challenges.

Melinda Mills was appointed as a member of the EU Commission’s High-Level Advisory Group convened by Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni to reflect on post-COVID economic and social challenges.

Event: Berlin Demography Days

Berlin becomes the capital of demographic change

From 22 to 24 March, the Berlin Demography Days will take place for the first time. At the online event, the Vice-President of the European Commission Dubravka Šuica will speak about the relationship between democracy and demography. In addition, the winners of the European Demographer Awards will be honoured.

From 22 to 24 March, the Berlin Demography Days will take place for the first time. At the online event, the Vice-President of the European Commission Dubravka Šuica will speak about the relationship between democracy and demography. In addition, the winners of the European Demographer Awards will be honoured.

EPRS' Online Policy Roundtable

Our Daniela Vono de Vilhena joins EPRS' Online Policy Roundtable

How is the coronavirus crisis changing Europe's demography? The 2021 EPRS' Demographic Outlook
Our Daniela Vono de Vilhena joins EPRS' Online Policy Roundtable on the topic 'How is the coronavirus crisis changing Europe's demography? The 2021 EPRS' Demographic Outlook.'

Our Daniela Vono de Vilhena joins EPRS' Online Policy Roundtable on the topic 'How is the coronavirus crisis changing Europe's demography? The 2021 EPRS' Demographic Outlook.'

Eurostat

European statistics on population (ESOP)

Eurostat is working on a policy initiative on European statistics on population and is looking for feedback from professionals and citizens.

Eurostat is working on a policy initiative on European statistics on population and is looking for feedback from professionals and citizens.

COVID Data Twitter Takeover Series

COVID Data Twitter Takeover Series

During the week of April 12, we launched the COVID Data Twitter Takeover Series bringing experts together to discuss the current state of COVID-19 data

During the week of April 12, we launched the COVID Data Twitter Takeover Series bringing experts together to discuss the current state of COVID-19 data

Second Exploratory Meeting

Second Exploratory Meeting

Between the Vice President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography Dubravka Šuica & leading demographers at the EU
The purpose of this second meeting was to discuss: a) the role of demography in the recovery plans for Europe and b) population decline and brain drain.

 

The purpose of this second meeting in the series of meetings bringing together the European Commission’s Vice-President for Democracy and Demography and European demography experts is to discuss: a) the role of demography in the recovery plans for Europe and b) population decline and brain drain.

Books and Reports
Cover of QuantMig Report 2.2

Systematic review of determinants of migration aspirations

Read the full report here
In this paper, Maryam Aslany, Jørgen Carling, Mathilde Bålsrud Mjelva and Tone Sommerfelt comprehensively review the findings of published empirical research on the formation of migration aspirations. That is, they are interested in how individual factors (such as educational attainment or employment status) and contextual factors (such as the quality of public services or the levels of violence and insecurity) help explain who wants to leave and who wants to stay.

In this paper, Maryam Aslany, Jørgen Carling, Mathilde Bålsrud Mjelva and Tone Sommerfelt comprehensively review the findings of published empirical research on the formation of migration aspirations. That is, they are interested in how individual factors (such as educational attainment or employment status) and contextual factors (such as the quality of public services or the levels of violence and insecurity) help explain who wants to leave and who wants to stay.

Sustainable Population Development in Finland Report Cover

Sustainable Population Development in Finland: The 2020 Population Policy Report by Väestöliitto

Read and download the full report here
Edited by Tiia Sorsa, Väestöliitto’s new population policy report, Sustainable Population Development in Finland, examines the trends currently affecting the population of Finland.

Edited by Tiia Sorsa, Väestöliitto’s new population policy report, Sustainable Population Development in Finland, examines the trends currently affecting the population of Finland.

Books and Reports: More frequent separation and repartnering among people aged 50 and over

More frequent separation and repartnering among people aged 50 and over

Read and download the full report here
Anne Sola (French Institute for Demographic Studies) shows that divorces and union dissolutions have become much more frequent in the last half-century, even among people aged 50 and up.

Anne Sola (French Institute for Demographic Studies) shows that divorces and union dissolutions have become much more frequent in the last half-century, even among people aged 50 and up.

European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan Cover

The European Pillar of Social Rights: turning principles into actions

Read and download the full report here
The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan outlines concrete actions to further implement the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights as a joint effort by the Members States and the EU, with an active involvement of social partners and civil society.

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan outlines concrete actions to further implement the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights as a joint effort by the Members States and the EU, with an active involvement of social partners and civil society.

Books and Reports: Eltern sein in Deutschland

Eltern sein in Deutschland

Read and download the full report here
'Eltern sein in Deutschland' summarises the expert report of the Commission of Experts for the Ninth Family Report and provides an overview of the most important social trends that determine family life and the situation of parents in Germany.

'Eltern sein in Deutschland' summarises the expert report of the Commission of Experts for the Ninth Family Report and provides an overview of the most important social trends that determine family life and the situation of parents in Germany.

Books and Reports: Policy learning from COVID-19 in Europe

Policy learning from COVID-19 in Europe

Read and download the full report here
Drawing on a wide range of multi-disciplinary published materials and official statistics, research articles, reports, briefings and academic debates, as well as media headlines and commentary, this briefing by Linda Hantrais (International Inequalities Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science) assesses policy learning during the first wave of the pandemic in Europe

Drawing on a wide range of multi-disciplinary published materials and official statistics, research articles, reports, briefings and academic debates, as well as media headlines and commentary, this briefing by Linda Hantrais (International Inequalities Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science) assesses policy learning during the first wave of the pandemic in Europe

Cover of Report

Expert opinion on migration data

Read and download the full report here
To answer the question 'how well do publicly available statistics on international migration for European countries, more in particular statistics on international migration from national statistical agencies, reflect the true migration flows?' Nico Keilman and Georgios Aristotelous eliciting expert opinions on measurement accuracy and undercount.

To answer the question 'how well do publicly available statistics on international migration for European countries, more in particular statistics on international migration from national statistical agencies, reflect the true migration flows?' Nico Keilman and Georgios Aristotelous eliciting expert opinions on measurement accuracy and undercount.

How Demography can Help to Better Understand the Pandemic Report Cover

How Demography Can Help to Better Understand the Pandemic

Read and download the full report here
This joint publication by Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, the Rostocker Zentrum zur Erforschung des Demografischen Wandels, the Vienna Institute of Demography, the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital and the Federal Institute for Population Research looks at the latest demographic research relating to the COVID pandemic.

This joint publication by Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, the Rostocker Zentrum zur Erforschung des Demografischen Wandels, the Vienna Institute of Demography, the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital and the Federal Institute for Population Research looks at the latest demographic research relating to the COVID pandemic.

Looking beyond COVID-19 Cover

Looking Beyond COVID-19: Strengthening family support services across the OECD

Read and download the full report here
This working paper by Sophie Riding, Olivier Thévenon, Willem Adema and Gráinne Dirwan provides an overview of the nature and key priorities of family support services operating in OECD countries to inform on the factors that contribute to their quality and delivery effectiveness.

This working paper by Sophie Riding, Olivier Thévenon, Willem Adema and Gráinne Dirwan provides an overview of the nature and key priorities of family support services operating in OECD countries to inform on the factors that contribute to their quality and delivery effectiveness.

Demographic outlook for the European Union 2021 cover

Demographic outlook for the European Union 2021

Read and download the full report here
Demographic Outlook for the European Union 2021 by Monika Kiss focuses on poverty as a global, EU-wide and regional phenomenon, and examines how poverty interacts with demographic indicators (such as fertility and migration rates) or with factors such as the degree of urbanisation.

Demographic Outlook for the European Union 2021 by Monika Kiss focuses on poverty as a global, EU-wide and regional phenomenon, and examines how poverty interacts with demographic indicators (such as fertility and migration rates) or with factors such as the degree of urbanisation.

Migration and Discrimination Book Cover

Migration and Discrimination

Read and download the full book here
Rosita Fibbi, Arnfinn H. Midtbøen and Patrick Simon provide a state of the art overview of the discrimination research field, with a particular focus on discrimination against immigrants and their descendants.

Rosita Fibbi, Arnfinn H. Midtbøen and Patrick Simon provide a state of the art overview of the discrimination research field, with a particular focus on discrimination against immigrants and their descendants.

Social Exclusion in Later Life

Social Exclusion in Later Life

Read and download the full book here
Drawing on interdisciplinary, cross-national perspectives, this open access book by Kieran Walsh, Thomas Scharf, Sofie Van Regenmortel and Anna Wanka contributes to the development of a coherent scientific discourse on social exclusion of older people.

Drawing on interdisciplinary, cross-national perspectives, this open access book by Kieran Walsh, Thomas Scharf, Sofie Van Regenmortel and Anna Wanka contributes to the development of a coherent scientific discourse on social exclusion of older people.

Webinars
VULNER Webinar: 'Bridging Legal and Empirical Research Methods in Migration Research - What are the Challenges?'

VULNER Webinar: 'Bridging Legal and Empirical Research Methods in Migration Research - What are the Challenges?'

In this VULNER project webinar, Anuscheh Farahat and Marie-Claire Foblets discuss how legal and empirical research methods can be mobilized in efficient and convincing ways that ultimately support the development of evidence-informed migration policies.

In this VULNER project webinar, Anuscheh Farahat and Marie-Claire Foblets discuss how legal and empirical research methods can be mobilized in efficient and convincing ways that ultimately support the development of evidence-informed migration policies.