One Europe: How Many Different Worlds in the 21st Century?

Abstract

At present, both similar and different demographic trends may be observed in Europe. On the one hand, many European countries have witnessed similar demographic trends in recent decades: fertility rates have declined, life expectancy has risen, the number of international migrants has increased, and populations have aged. On the other hand, there are significant demographic differences across European countries. The total fertility rate now varies between about one in some central and eastern European countries and approximately two in the Nordic countries. Male life expectancy varies between 60 years in Ukraine and 77 years in Sweden. Most northern, western and southern countries are receiving substantial numbers of immigrants in excess of emigrants, resulting in net migration rates of one to three per 1000, whereas in central and eastern Europe excess emigration rates of minus three per thousand may be observed. Population growth is positive in most western countries and negative in most eastern countries. The number of people aged 60 or over as a percentage of the population aged 20–59 years varies between 30 per cent in Iceland and Ireland and 40 per cent in Sweden.