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The dramatic fall in fertility rates is a cause for concern. |
The countries of Eastern Europe have traditionally had higher fertility rates than other parts of Europe. With the onset of transition, however, fertility rapidly declined and, by the end of the 1990s, total fertility rates in Eastern Europe were well below those in Northern and Western Europe. In 1999, only the Central Asian republics (with the exception of Kazakhstan), Azerbaijan and Albania had fertility rates above replacement levels. [Click here to see graph]
The rise in marriage age in most countries of the region has contributed to the lower fertility rate. Fewer marriages are also being recorded, with the number having declined by 50 percent or more in some countries.
While in the Baltic States this represents a change in lifestyle, in the Caucasus and Tajikistan, the chaotic conditions caused by ethnic violence have led to the postponement of marriage. The situation has been further aggravated by the outward migration of young men in search of work.
Policy Implications
The drop in fertility rates portends a shrinking labor force and a rapidly ageing population for the countries of Eastern Europe, leaving more elderly people reliant on severely stretched pension and health care systems.
Source:Transmonee Database
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