Country specifics

Question 1

Which countries are known for high fertility?

Answer 1

France

Nordic countries

USA

Ireland

Question 2

Why does Germany have low fertility?

Answer 2

Idea of a good mother: one that is together with the child as much as possible and takes care of it at home → have hindered fertility because all women were not able to do this.

The countries is doing a lot of things to raise the fertility: using money to establish good childcare facilities (but they are way behind) –> the fertility rate is though increasing

Question 3

Why does Russia have a below average life expectancy (especially for men)?

Answer 3

The average life expectancy is way below the EU-average (especially for men) since ca. 1985-1990

Why?
The collapse of the Soviet Union brought along poverty, bad access to health care, depression and hard life (especially for men) → a lot of drinking, smoking etc in response.

Question 4

Why does France have a big gender gap in life expectancy compared to other European countries?

Answer 4

The differences in life expectancy between men and women is bigger than other European countries

Why?
- Men in France have huge problems with smoking (also women)
- More men die in car-crashes related to alcohol consumption → everyday drinking is part of French culture.

Question 5

What countries have had success with fertility-increasing policies?

Answer 5

1. Hungary –> managed to raise their total fertility rate from around 1.2 to 1.5/1.6 in 10 years
   - What happened? –> loans based on future promises to have children + free IVF treatment
2. Germany –> 1.2 –> 1.5 since the 1990s. Done a lot to invest in childcare facilities, so that mothers did not have to stay home to take care of children
3. Russia –> 1.3 (2007) –> 1.78 (2015). Due to a family reform - more paid parental leave and a “maternal capital” (check that can be used for certain things such as housing, education).
   –> however maybe just a tempo effect (that women gave birth sooner), since it declined again (and could be due

Question 6

Which countries have some really low fertility rates?

Answer 6

1. Ukraine (1.18)
2. Spain (1.2)
3. Italy (1.24)
4. Korea (below 1)
5. China (1.15)

Question 7

Which countries have high emigration? (brain drain problems)

Answer 7

1. Baltic countries
2. Ukraine
3. Hungary
4. Spain
5. Portugal
6. Italy (have many immigrants, but also a lot of emigration from high skilled workers)

Question 8

Which countries we have looked at is still in the earlier stages of the demographic transition?

Answer 8

1. Nigeria –> fertility is still very high and has not converted to decreases in mortality yet
2. Maybe Kazahkstan

Question 9

Which countries have many migrants?

Answer 9

Italy

Germany

Sweden

UK

Question 10

What problems are facing Russia due to the war?

Answer 10

1. Expected fertility decline: A lot of young people have emigrated from Russia do to the war –> fertility is expected to drop to around 1.2
2. Depopulation: Both people dying + people fleeing the country

Question 11

Why has the life expectancy in the US decreased in recent years compared with other high income countries?

Answer 11

Due to an increase in “deaths in despair” –> drugs, alcohol and suicide.

Especially among white men age 50-54

Why?
1. The american pharmaceutical system –> strong pharmaceutical sector (easy to get opioid prescription) + expensive to see doctor/therapist

2. Loss of manufacturing jobs due to globalization for certain groups
3. Men get into military and often get a manual job afterwards –> risk of injury, more opioid prescriptions