Are Policies Designed to Raise Fertility Levels in Europe Effective?

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

European countries are experiencing long–term downtrends in fertility and consequently ageing of their populations. Fertility rates are now below replacement levels (2.1 children per couple) in nearly all countries. Obviously, a decrease in natural population growth rate should be expected. These demographic trends are likely to impose very heavy penalties on the economies of European countries. In response to this plight, various governments have designed specific policy measures to raise the level of fertility so as to address the challenges that ageing populations present. From the debate, it appears that, the effectiveness of these policies somewhat have mixed outcomes. This signifies that, no single policy is likely to solve the problem. This calls for the effective combination of the various interventions. However, it is unlikely that, fertility rates will increase overnight. Somehow, governments could consider immigration of the right mix of personnel to keep the economy going until such a time that the natural population growth rate reaches the required level. However, immigration when not effectively managed could even create more problems than ageing and low fertility will do.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Effectiveness of Policy Interventions in Raising the Fertilitylevels of European Countries
• Conclusion
• REFERENCES