Recent demographic developments in Europe: new findings from the generations and gender Surveys

Andrej Kveder, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Andres Vikat, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Understanding the development of family relationships in developed countries requires comparable data from many countries that represent a considerable variety of demographic, social, welfare, and cultural regimes, which can be achieved by large-scale internationally comparative surveys such as the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). The paper analyzes recent trends in the timing of life course events such as leaving the parental home, entering a co-residential union, becoming a parent, experiencing union break-up, a higher-order union, and step-parenthood, using data from the GGS and the Fertility and Family Surveys conducted 10-15 years earlier. The findings are discussed in view of the policies that frame childbearing and partnership behaviour in each analyzed country.