Demographic factors such as fertility, population growth, and age-sex structure are essential to explain the population dynamics of any region. Western European nations such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, etc. are demographically very similar to countries like Japan and South Korea. It can be very well explained by the following instances:
Stage of Demographic Transition: The stages through which any low-income traditional society passes to become a high-income modern society is called demographic transition. Currently, most of the Western European countries and Japan are in the fourth stage of demographic transition. It is characterized by low birth and death rates. Hence, the population growth rate is very slow or negative.
Population Growth: data shows that it is extremely low in Western European countries viz. Spain (0.5), Italy (-0.3), France (0.2), Germany (0.2), Netherlands (0.6), United Kingdom (0.6), similarly it is low in Japan (-0.3) as well (World Bank).
Life Expectancy: this is way above the average of the world (72 years) in Western Europe and Japan. In both regions, life expectancy is high due to modern and sophisticated health infrastructure. It can also be attributed to advancements in medical technologies. The life expectancy of Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain is 81, 82 and 83 years respectively. It has been 84 years in Japan (World Bank).
Age-sex structure: It can be very well explained with the help of the age-sex pyramid, which shows that the bottom is narrowing in Western European countries and Japan. It indicates that the population in the 0-14 age group is declining. On the other hand, a bulge is witnessed in the middle section i.e. above 55 years. It means the proportion of the elderly population is extremely high in these countries.
The figure above released by the European Commission shows that the proportion of the population above 60 years in Europe will increase further by 2050.
The current demographic pattern observed in the Western European countries and Japan in an outcome of the changed career and lifestyle preferences of the population. Individuals are not getting married and are disinterested in raising kids. As a consequence, the government in Japan has decided to provide incentives to those couples who will get married and produce babies.
Stage of Demographic Transition: The stages through which any low-income traditional society passes to become a high-income modern society is called demographic transition. Currently, most of the Western European countries and Japan are in the fourth stage of demographic transition. It is characterized by low birth and death rates. Hence, the population growth rate is very slow or negative.
Population Growth: data shows that it is extremely low in Western European countries viz. Spain (0.5), Italy (-0.3), France (0.2), Germany (0.2), Netherlands (0.6), United Kingdom (0.6), similarly it is low in Japan (-0.3) as well (World Bank).
Life Expectancy: this is way above the average of the world (72 years) in Western Europe and Japan. In both regions, life expectancy is high due to modern and sophisticated health infrastructure. It can also be attributed to advancements in medical technologies. The life expectancy of Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain is 81, 82 and 83 years respectively. It has been 84 years in Japan (World Bank).
Age-sex structure: It can be very well explained with the help of the age-sex pyramid, which shows that the bottom is narrowing in Western European countries and Japan. It indicates that the population in the 0-14 age group is declining. On the other hand, a bulge is witnessed in the middle section i.e. above 55 years. It means the proportion of the elderly population is extremely high in these countries.
The figure above released by the European Commission shows that the proportion of the population above 60 years in Europe will increase further by 2050.
Problems arising due to the current demographic scenario:
The world is standing at a threshold of great demographic transformation with very few parallels in human history. With this trend, the median age in Western European countries and Japan would reach around 51. It may result in income inequalities. Due to the absence of a productive population, it will become very difficult to sustain economic growth, maintain fiscal sustainability and increase general welfare for all ages.The current demographic pattern observed in the Western European countries and Japan in an outcome of the changed career and lifestyle preferences of the population. Individuals are not getting married and are disinterested in raising kids. As a consequence, the government in Japan has decided to provide incentives to those couples who will get married and produce babies.