Southern Europe Demographics Profile:
Population: 150,000,000 Birth Rate: 9 births per 1,000 people Death Rate: 10 deaths per 1,000 people Life Expectancy: 80.82 Male: 77.96 Female: 83.80 Infant Mortality Rate: 4 deaths per 1,000 live births Total Fertility Rate: 1.4 Children Literacy Rate: 98.12% Rate of Natural Increase: -1 |
Analysis: The high life expectancy and low death rate suggest that the region is well developed, with a good medical sector. That would also explain the low infant mortality rate, as good healthcare prevents deaths. The negative rate of natural increase provides further evidence of the high level of development. The high literacy rate shows a well educated population, and suggests that a strong education system exists in the region. Women are free to choose for themselves and are able to pursue careers, meaning they choose to focus less on raising a family and do that later on in life. This results in fewer children born, corroborated by the low fertility rate and the low birth rate.
|
Albania: The bulge in population at the bottom suggests a growing population, although the small number of people in the lowest age groups (0-14) may be a problem as a smaller population will need to care for an aging population. However, as the bulk of the population (15-34) ages and has children of their own, that number will likely increase. On the whole, the country has a decreasing rate of natural increase of 6.4. As all these people come into the country, however there will be more job competition and resource competition. Albania is a stage 3.
|
Andorra: In Andorra, there is majority of the population in midlife, who have on the whole stopped reproducing. This has left fewer young people to support them as they grow old, which will put an increased strain on public services, as fewer people pay in with increasing people using them. Andorra is in stage 5.
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosnia and Herzegovina has a large middle-aged population, with far fewer younger people, meaning that as the middle aged population continues to age, there will be fewer working adults to provide for them. As a result, social services will be strained. With a negative rate of natural increase, Bosnia and Herzegovina is transitioning to stage 5.
|
Croatia: Although the young population is less than the middle aged one, there is no sharp distinction, suggesting a gradual transition. This will place more of a burden on the young to pay for social services, but this will be gradual. Croatia has a negative rate of natural increase, but its population pyramid suggests that Croatia is a stage 4 perhaps transitioning to stage 5.
|
Kosovo: A large population of young people suggests fast growth in the future, which will mean more resource competition. This will allows the country to grow in more than one way, boosting its economy among other ways. The high rate of natural increase and slight tapering off of the population pyramid in the lowest age groups (0-9) means that Kosovo is starting to from stage 2 to stage 3.
|
Macedonia: The gap between the 10-14 and 15-19 age groups suggest that the population is starting to decline. However, as the gap isn’t very large, its effects will probably not be very great. The large number of people in their reproductive years means that the smallest age groups may still increase especially given the country's positive RNI, making Macedonia a stage 4.
|
Malta: The increased population in the 55-69 age group is likely the result of a “baby boom” similar to what the U.S. experienced following World War Two. This large population resulted in their children also being numerous, as seen in the 25-44 population group. This population is still in its reproductive years, so the population may surge back, however, the few people in the 0-14 age group suggest a declining population. With its barely positive rate of natural increase, Malta is a stage 4.
|
Montenegro: The majority of Montenegro’s population consists of adults, many of which are still in reproductive years, meaning that the population may still increase. However, based on trends in the younger population, this seems unlikely, forcing a smaller generation of youth to support a significantly larger population of their parents. The gender imbalance in the 30-44 age group is likely caused from a gender preference for boys. With a low but positive rate of natural increase, Montenegro is transitioning from stage 3 to stage 4.
|
San Marino: San Marino has two larger generations, one from about 40 to 59, and their children, from about 5 to 24. However, The second generation is much smaller than the first, suggesting a decreasing population. This decreasing population will have to provide for a larger generation ahead of them, placing strain on the younger population. This would place San Marino at stage 4, transitioning into stage 5.
|
Spain: The sharp drop-off between the 35-39 and 25-29 age brackets highlights the declining population. That decline results in fewer young people supporting a larger elderly population. However, with a barely positive rate of natural increase, due to the numerous people still in reproducing years, Spain is a stage 4.
|
The largest population of the region is located in Italy which has a population of 60.6 million people. In Spain, the population is mostly concentrated along its coasts and major industrial areas like Madrid. The deep history of Greece also contributes to its population count, making it a capital of tourism and commerce with a population of 10.8 million. 70 percent of the population is urban and 30 percent is rural.