Population development in Finland in the 1980s

Abstract

Low fertility was a subject of much discussion in Finland in the 1980s. It was however a period of stabilization for population development in which Finland approached zero population growth through low fertility and mortality and stable migration trends. Population aging became more evident over the period as implications for future labor forces and labor policy were considered. Consensual union became more common over the period contributing to the rising age at marriage and the reduction of marriage overall. 15% of all conjugal unions at the end of the decade were consensual. There was small fluctuation in fertility for the decade age at 1st birth continued to increase the proportion of 1st children of all live births decreased and fertility differentials within the country diminished. General mortality rates remained stable infant mortality continued its decline while mortality rate declines ceased for working-age members of the population. Internal migration stabilized with decreased movement to urban areas and southern regions of the country. Inter-urban migration and migration to rural areas however increased. Improved national economics fueled both return migration and in-migration from Eastern Europe.