Changes in the life patterns of families in the Nordic countries

Abstract

In the 4 sections of this report prepared by Finnish researchers for the comparative study on changes in the life patterns of families in Europe attention is directed to the following: 1) analysis of the structure of the adult male and female populations according to the degree and type of economic activity in the 4 Nordic countries of Finland Denmark Norway and Sweden: 2) a description of the population changes during the 20th century; and 3) a comparison of marriage rates ages at 1st marriage and proportions of married persons in the Nordic countries; and 4) an examination of the size of the household and family type. The proportion of agricultural male population in Denmark Norway and Sweden has declined from about 45% in 1900 to less than 10% in 1975. At this time more men are involved in services than in industry and construction in these 3 countries that are now at the post-industrial stage of development. The industrialization process took place considerably later in Finland than in the other 3 countries. The movement of women into industrial and service occupations in Finland does not differ much from that in the other 3 Nordic countries. Economic activity of women outside the home has increased more or less steadily during the 20th century. Birthrates have dropped in the 20th century from about 30 to 12-14/1000 population. According to the latest figures most children were born before the mother is age 30. A most obvious change during the 20th century has been the decrease in the proportion of children (0-14 years). Households and families have become smaller and the decline in household size continues and more and more people are living totally alone.