Policy Insights

Population Europe: On July 11th, we observe World Population Day – a time to reflect on population trends and related issues. As the President of the European Association for Population Studies (EAPS) and as the new President of Population Europe’s Council of Advisors, what would you say are the biggest challenges for future demographic research activities in Europe?  

Population Europe: Most European countries are facing low birth rates. What role do fathers play in this? Katharina Micheel: One crucial development is the increasing labour market participation of women. That puts into question the traditional gender arrangements. And it’s linked to the questions of gender equality and gender equity. The role of fathers has changed from solely a supporter to a co-nurturer, yet there is ambivalence in most countries because, nevertheless, traditional attitudes are still common.

Population Europe: In most European countries women’s life expectancy is still higher than men’s. Even though this sounds nice, what are the main associated risks?  

62, 67 or 74 years ­- which age is right for retirement? This question causes heated debate across Europe and at times furious protest. But even if these somewhat extreme reactions strike us as people resisting the inevitable adjustments required of an ageing and shrinking population, the protesters actually have a point. A discussion narrowly focused on rising the retirement age is not the answer to demographic change, because it does not reflect the realities of people’s lives.

Eventhough all Europeans can on average expect increasingly long and healthy lives, there are still considerable differences between European countries, when it comes to mortality rates or the distribution of health. Economic factors do play an important role, but there is no simple causal relationship. Population Europe asked Pekka Martikainen about main European disparities, and how policies could respond to them. 

Balancing work and family duties is already quite a challenge for lots of Europeans. Yet in the future, the care-needs of an increasing number of older people have to be met as well. How can modern family structures and childless people cope with these challenges? What can be done by individuals, as well as by society? Population Europe asked Anne-Sophie Parent:

Population Europe: What is your definition of “lifelong learning”?

Rising life expectancy, prospects of longer working lives and diminishing pension funds - most debates about demographic change seem to revolve around older people. But what about the younger generations, what are their prospects in Europe’s ageing societies? An interview with Harald Wilkoszewski, Analyst at the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) of the OECD’s Directorate for Education.

Population Europe: Mrs. Weiss, all of Europe is being confronted with demographic change. The general life expectancy is rising. In your opinion, are these developments a risk or a window of opportunity?