Publications
From boom to bust?
Fertility, ageing and demographic change
| Author: | Alasdair Murray |
| Date of Publication: | March 2007 |
| ISBN: | 1 902622 59 6 |
Europe stands on the cusp of a demographic revolution. In the next few decades, the make-up of Europe’s population will change dramatically as the baby boomers move into retirement to be replaced by a much smaller generation.
Family friendly policies designed to boost the birth rate are back in political fashion. But there is little evidence of their long term success, and a real risk some measures could exacerbate social inequalities. On the other hand, European countries have ample room to adapt to demographic change, especially by making much better use of their working population.
From boom to bust? explores the potential impact of demographic change on the European economy and society over the next half century. It assesses the extent to which pessimistic predictions about the continent's future are justified by demographic decline. And it considers what can and should be done to try and tackle the challenges posed by demographic change.
"I greatly welcome this report because it introduces an element of balance and realism into a debate which is too often clouded by simplistic statements and unnecessary
pessimism."
Lord Adair Turner of Ecchinswell
Media Coverage:
New Statesman: How to make babies
Daily Mail: Why one woman in three will never be a mother
Telegraph: 'I chose career over kids and have no regrets'