Demographic Change in Central and Eastern Europe
Demographic Behaviour since 1990
The fall of the Berlin Wall was followed by thorough and rapid changes that affected all layers of society. Welfare state policies were fundamentally reformed and labour markets deeply restructured, leading to rapidly growing economic opportunities but also uncertainties among the population. Alongside this development, demographic behaviour has changed profoundly in the aftermath of the collapse of the formerly socialist societies. Women’s age at first birth increased, and period fertility dropped. Also affected was the marriage, divorce and non-marital childbearing behaviour, albeit to very varying degrees in the different countries. Moreover, mortality as well as migration patterns were deeply influenced by the regime change. A pressing research question at that time was under which conditions the family-related behaviour of the formerly socialist countries would start following “Western” patterns. Did these demographic behaviours between East and West eventually converge? Did value changes matter for family transformations? Which role did the restructuring of the welfare states play? What were the effects of labour market developments on demographic change? Which distinct demographic features have remained until today in Central and Eastern European countries? Almost 30 years after German reunification, it is time to revisit these research questions.
Sessions:
- Convergence or divergence? Data and methods to compare demographic developments in Europe (Central and Eastern Europe vs. “Western Europe”?)
- Demographic and societal developments in Central and Eastern Europe
- Family and fertility in Central and Eastern Europe: trends, determinants and policy implications
- Partnership formation and dissolution in Central and Eastern Europe
- Health, mortality and morbidity in Central and Eastern Europe since 1990
- Migration in Europe since 1990
- Regional aspects of demographic change in Germany. Reflections on the German reunification process
Venue & Time:
The conference will take place at the TU Dresden from 11-13 March 2020.
Information for students:
Students of demography or related disciplines are welcome to submit an abstract for a poster contribution. A limited amount of travel funds for students is available.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Submission of Abstracts (not possible yet)