Negative Population Growth in Europe
Negative Population Growth in Europe

Summary/Abstract: The trend of population decreasing since the beginning of the 21st century in some European countries is considered in this article. The study is aimed at presenting the empirical evolution of negative population growth in order to make a raw assessment of the dimensions and scale of this phenomenon as well as of its components and their trends over the past decade. The results of an analysis of the total rate of population increase dynamics among the EU countries over the period 2001–2012 are presented in this article. Three indicators were used in the analysis: total rate of population growth, crude rate of natural increase and crude rate of net migration. A 4-group classification of the countries was applied to the indicators analysed focussing on the negative and zero population growth. Thus, a general estimate of the evolution of the groups of countries with decreasing or stagnating population over the period considered was made. Data of Eurostat datasets and of the UN Population Department publications were used in the study. Causes for negative population growth emerging in some of the European countries over the period mentioned are considered. Its general demographic effects are outlined for the countries having high values and longstanding trend of population decrease after the example of Bulgaria.

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