Family Transformations and Sub-replacement Fertility in Europe

Below-replacement fertility has become a world-wide phenomenon. The chapter reviews the persistent sub-replacement fertility that is now observed universally across Europe, its social and demographic contexts, and the main societal and research challenges related to it. We start by briefly describing the fertility trends across the continent in the last half century and discussing them in relation to new and diverging patterns of family-related behaviours and new ways of ‘doing family’ that have emerged in the recent five decades. Next, some interpretation of the reasons for the sub-replacement fertility in Europe is provided. We refer to the main theoretical concepts derived to explain contemporary and future fertility developments. We also discuss the role of family policies, framed within different welfare regimes in Europe, in shaping these fertility developments. The chapter closes with reflection on research challenges and data needs, both necessary for better understanding of on-going societal transformations and for designing efficient evidence-based policies.