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Policy Insights

Researchers and collaboration partners of Population Europe as well as eminent experts from leading organisations contribute to the debate on demographic developments that are of public interest by providing insights into pressing policy issues.

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Werkstattgespräch: Wie verhält sich Wissenschaft in kontroversen politischen Debatten?
This working paper is based on the outcomes of a workshop discussion with experts from different scientific fields who work at the intersection of research, politics, economics and society. It took place on June 3, 2019, at the office of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in Berlin.

<p>This working paper is based on the outcomes of a workshop discussion with experts from different scientific fields who work at the intersection of research, politics, economics and society. The value of scientific work is no longer measured just by whether it meets research-based quality criteria, but by its social impact.</p>

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Working Parents' Mental Health Improves When Young Children Are in Nursery School
Working parents have better mental health when their young children are looked after part-time in nursery schools or other formal childcare, rather than just by relatives, research says. Research on 6,700 parents of one- and two-year-olds in 29 European countries, including the UK, found that parents using part-time formal childcare had better mental health than those who used informal childcare only.

<p>Research on 6,700 parents of one- and two-year-olds in 29 European countries, including the UK, found that parents using part-time formal childcare had better mental health than those who used informal childcare only.</p>

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Werkstattgespräch: Wie verhält sich Wissenschaft in kontroversen politischen Debatten?
Dieses Diskussionspapier geht auf die Ergebnisse eines Werkstattgesprächs mit Expert/innen aus unterschiedlichen wissenschaftlichen Arbeitsbereichen, die an den Schnittstellen von Forschung, Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft arbeiten, zurück. Es fand am 3. Juni 2019 in der Geschäftsstelle der Leopoldina – Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften in Berlin statt.
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Urban Depopulation and Loss of Human Capital: An Emerging Phenomenon in the European Union
Depopulation is no longer a phenomenon exclusive to rural areas. It has now expanded to small and medium-sized towns and cities in outflow regions. Young people in these municipalities, mainly those who are highly educated, are more likely to emigrate to the more thriving metropolitan areas. The departure of qualified young people is not compensated for, either numerically or based on the educational level of people who arrive from other places. This situation gives rise to negative migration balances and processes of educational decapitalisation.

<p>Depopulation has now expanded to small and medium-sized towns and cities in outflow regions, especially among highly educated young people. This situation gives rise to negative migration balances and processes of educational decapitalisation.</p>

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To Reduce Abortion Incidence, Do Not Restrict Abortion Supply. Reduce Demand.
Making modern contraceptives cheap, available and socially acceptable is the only policy that works in reducing unintended pregnancies, demand for abortion services, and ultimately, abortion incidence.

<p>Making modern contraceptives cheap, available and socially acceptable is the only policy that works in reducing unintended pregnancies, demand for abortion services, and ultimately, abortion incidence.</p>

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Does Austerity Really Kill?
Austerity regimes are associated with an increase in overall mortality and suicides. However, this effect is compensated by the decreasing mortality effect due to recessions. The exception is suicide-related mortality, which increases during both times of austerity and recession. These findings are highlighted in a recent paper published in Economics & Human Biology.

<p>Austerity regimes are associated with an increase in overall mortality and suicides. However, this effect is compensated by the decreasing mortality effect due to recessions. The exception is suicide-related mortality, which increases during both times of austerity and recession. These findings are highlighted in a recent paper published in Economics & Human Biology.</p>

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Restrictive Migration Policies have Adverse Effects on Migrant Health
Restrictive policies including those pertaining to temporary visas, detention and reduced access to welfare support are linked to a greater risk of poor general and mental health, as well as mortality among migrants, relative to native populations and migrants that did not experience such restrictions. These findings are highlighted in a recent review in The Lancet Global Health.  

<p>Restrictive policies including those pertaining to temporary visas, detention and reduced access to welfare support are linked to a greater risk of poor general and mental health, as well as mortality among migrants, relative to native populations and migrants that did not experience such restrictions.</p>

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The Dramatic Residential Insecurity in Spain in the Context of the European Union
Residential insecurity is a threat to the life plans of young European households. It is therefore interesting to ascertain the present situation of households by focusing on the perceptions and opinions of those most concerned. The latest 2016 edition of the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) produced by Eurofound offers material for exploring the opinions of households about the short-term (six months) security of their housing.

<p>Young Spanish adults are more fearful than European counterparts of losing a roof over their heads because of being unable to pay (54% compared with 33%). The difference has also increased in recent years as the weight of rental sector has risen. </p>