This book studies the process of demographic transition which has played a key role in the economic development of Western countries. The special focus is on France, which constitutes the first clear case of fertility decline in Europe. The book analyzes the reasons behind this phenomenon by examining the evolution of demographic variables in France over the past two hundred years. To better understand the reasons of the changing patterns of demographic behavior, the authors investigate the development of the female labor force, study educational investments, and explore the evolution of gender roles and relations.

Studies the transformation of the French demographic landscape using gendered county-level data Examines the changing patterns of demographic behavior over time and across space Offers a synthetic description of long-run demographic phenomena

Inhalt
Evolutions of Demographic Behavior.- Changes in the Labor Force.- Increasing Educational Investments.- Transformations of Gender Relations.