Low fertility, one of the critical issues in the contemporary world, will persist in the foreseeable future. That is arguably the principal conclusion of this book. Fundamental changes in social security and health care systems, taxation schemes, and migration policies, for instance, are inevitable, unless societies are able to institute effective measures and create favorable conditions for increasing fertility. Such are the unavoidable challenges facing European and other economically advanced countries.

The present study applies the cohort analysis approach to detailed data covering over half of the 20th century for populations of 35 countries. In distinction to most previous studies, that approach is put to use not only for elucidating past trends, but also to capture salient aspects of contemporary fertility patterns. And, beyond that, it is utilized to suggest possible near-term future trends in fertility behavior.

Offers a profound understanding of the demographic mechanisms that have generated and are maintaining contemporary low fertility in developed countries

Inhalt
Methods.- Nordic region.- Western Europe.- West Central Europe.- Southern Europe.- East Central Europe.- Eastern Europe.- West Balkan region.- Baltic region.- Non-European countries.- Comprehensive and comparative analysis.- Findings, implications and conclusions.