A Long-Term Vision for the Development of Rural Areas in Europe

A Long-Term Vision for the Development of Rural Areas in Europe

Insights from demography
Download Population and Policy Brief 27/2020 (543.36 KB)
Population decline in rural areas has recently gained importance on the European Union’s (EU) agenda and is currently among the priorities related to demographic change for the Vice-President for Democracy and Demography of the European Commission. A previous Population Europe policy brief provided recommendations on how rural areas can respond to these population changes while offering a good quality of life (Lines, 2020). In this current policy brief, eminent demography scholars present key insights from the discipline, aiming to contribute to the current debates on the future of rural areas in Europe.

Population decline in rural areas has recently gained importance on the European Union’s (EU) agenda and is currently among the priorities related to demographic change for the Vice-President for Democracy and Demography of the European Commission. In this current policy brief, eminent demography scholars present key insights from the discipline, aiming to contribute to the current debates on the future of rural areas in Europe.

Leaving the Parental Home in the Time of Youth Unemployment and Non-Standard Employment

Leaving the Parental Home in the Time of Youth Unemployment and Non-Standard Employment

Gousia & colleagues used the Understanding Society longitudinal study to investigate the effects of employment on chances of housing autonomy among young people in the UK. They found significant negative effects of past as well as anticipated unemployment, as well as some important gender differences.

Gousia & colleagues used the Understanding Society longitudinal study to investigate the effects of employment on chances of housing autonomy among young people in the UK. They found significant negative effects of past as well as anticipated unemployment, as well as some important gender differences.

Books and Reports: COVID-19 and Women Migrant Workers: Impacts and Implications

COVID-19 and Women Migrant Workers: Impacts and Implications

Read the full report here
This paper from the International Organization for Migration (UN Migration) explores the impacts and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on women migrant workers. It examines the disproportionate effects of the crisis on women, discusses the particular case of women who are "essential" migrant workers, and concludes with some recommendations.

This paper from the International Organization for Migration (UN Migration) explores the impacts and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on women migrant workers. It examines the disproportionate effects of the crisis on women, discusses the particular case of women who are "essential" migrant workers, and concludes with some recommendations.

The Burden of Unemployment

The Burden of Unemployment

Impact of unemployment on the health of one’s partner
Baranowska-Rataj and Strandh of Umeå University looked at the impact of unemployment on self-rated health of partners. They found that financial support from the welfare state can somewhat moderate the negative health effects of a partner becoming unemployed, with interesting differences across countries with diverging policies supporting gender equality.

Anna Baranowska-Rataj and Mattias Strandh (Umeå University) looked at the impact of unemployment on self-rated health of partners. They found that financial support from the welfare state can somewhat moderate the negative health effects of a partner becoming unemployed, with interesting differences across countries with diverging policies supporting gender equality.

The Importance of the Kid Next Door

The Importance of the Kid Next Door

Role of social class and neighbourhoods in educational achievement
Finn Hedefalk and Martin Dribe (Centre for Economic Demography and the Department of Economic History, Lund University) looked at the association between neighbourhood conditions throughout childhood and educational attainment in adulthood. Unlike existing research that has focused on present-day and segregated cities in the United States, Hedefalk and Dribe take a long-term perspective and examine the impact of one’s neighbourhood in a more homogenous city in Sweden.

Finn Hedefalk and Martin Dribe (Centre for Economic Demography and the Department of Economic History, Lund University) looked at the association between neighbourhood conditions throughout childhood and educational attainment in adulthood. Unlike existing research that has focused on present-day and segregated cities in the United States, Hedefalk and Dribe take a long-term perspective and examine the impact of one’s neighbourhood in a more homogenous city in Sweden.

Books and Reports: Report on the Impact of Demographic Change

Report on the Impact of Demographic Change

Read and download the full report here
The findings of the Commission’s Demography Report show that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Policymaking needs to zoom into the reality on the ground. The European Union, Member States and regions have a shared interest in responding to demographic change for the benefit of all Europeans. Demographic change will affect everybody and must be a factor that helps steer Europe’s recovery from the crisis and provide us with insights as we build a more resilient, sustainable and fair Union.

The findings of the Commission’s Demography Report show that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Policymaking needs to zoom into the reality on the ground. The European Union, Member States and regions have a shared interest in responding to demographic change for the benefit of all Europeans. Demographic change will affect everybody and must be a factor that helps steer Europe’s recovery from the crisis and provide us with insights as we build a more resilient, sustainable and fair Union.

Books and Reports: Strengthening the Quality of Early Childhood Education and Care Through Inclusion

Strengthening the Quality of Early Childhood Education and Care Through Inclusion

Read and download the policy memo here
Ensuring effective access to quality early childhood education and care for all children remains a challenge, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This policy memo helps policymakers better understand this issue and suggests some possible solutions.

Ensuring effective access to quality early childhood education and care for all children remains a challenge, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This policy memo helps policymakers better understand this issue and suggests some possible solutions.

Event: RESCHEDULED: 22nd Nordic Demographic Symposium 2021

RESCHEDULED: 22nd Nordic Demographic Symposium 2021

Thu Jun 10 - Sat Jun 12
The 22nd Nordic Demographic Symposium in Oslo has now been rescheduled for June 9-11, 2022. Please see the new event page, where we will continue to update as more information becomes available.

The 22nd Nordic Demographic Symposium in Oslo will be held on June 10-12, 2021. The symposium brings together researchers, students and other experts in population studies from the Nordic region.

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