REGIONAL DEMOGRAPHIC CONVERGENCE IN EUROPE

University of Groningen & Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute

• Joop de Beer (daily supervisor)
• Leo van Wissen (principle investigator)

4 papers

• DEM: demographic factors affecting convergence/divergence in ageing
• ECON: relationship between convergence/divergence in ageing and convergence/divergence in economies
• URBRUR: urban/rural differences in regional convergence/divergence in ageing
• ???

DATA

EU-27
NUTS-2 (261)
2003-2012

• Eurostat (population structures; mortality)
• National statistical databases

https://demotrends.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/working-with-spatial-data-to-generate-a-consistent-demographic-time-series/

The two alternative hypotheses

H1: convergence in ageing

Demographic Transition

H2: divergence in ageing

Urban/Rural divide

• The differences between subregions of Europe contribute to divergence in ageing in the 1st part of the study period; the convergent developments begin in the 2nd subperiod.
• H1 supported

• Contrary to our aspirations, urban/rural differences do not lead to divergence in population ageing at NUTS-2 level.
• H2 not supported