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THE IMPACT OF financial sectors on fertility rates in OECD countries was explored yesterday at a conference in Trinity College Dublin.
Speaking at the symposium, Professor Herman Schwartz from University of Virginia explored how the financialisation of housing finance and pension systems has depressed young couples’ ability to form households and as a result has also depressed fertility rates.
Babies
In his presentation Babies, Bonds and Buildings: Did Financialisation Affect Fertility Rates?, Professor Schwartz explained:
Many rich OECD countries now have fertility rates well below the replacement rate. Most attention on fertility rates looks – correctly – at work-life balance issues, but the relationship between housing finance and pension systems also affects the availability and affordability of housing.
He said earlier household formation enabled higher fertility rates, because couples that start having children earlier tend to have more children.
However, he said the deregulation and de-segmentation of housing finance has turned houses – via mortgages – into assets.
Affordable housing
“This combined with rising income inequality to produce continuous upward pressure on housing prices relative to income. Even in the relatively more liquid housing finance systems, rising house prices made it more and more difficult for young couples to afford housing. This has contributed to downward pressure on fertility,” he said.
Professor Schwartz said low fertility implies declining population and potential problems for pension systems.
He said surveys show that the average couple in the rich OECD countries desires more children than they actually have, however, even in the relatively more liquid housing finance systems, rising house prices and declining affordability, makes it more and more difficult for young couples to afford housing. This has contributed to downward pressure on fertility.
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Interesting, will America listen ?
They won’t bloody stop listening!
Why didn’t they lead the way against gm foods grown here even though majority of Europeans are against it. It got through cause an abstention automatically means a yes, WHY?
There should be more media coverage of EU decisions like this, as a member we implement the changes to n these decisions can often be far bigger than our own at home.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/gm-corn-gets-controversial-eu-ahead-202442678.html#6gTHmUF
What study determined that the ‘majority’ of Europeans are against it? I’m genuinely curious.
It has been shown time and time again that Europeans are against it, as are Irish people. Keep it out I say.
How has it been shown? You have to substantiate such claims.
I have no real opinion on the matter, myself.
Nevermind EU White fang it’s being rejected by people world wide China just rejected a shipment of GM corn other country’s are against GM
Take an hour or two to read up on this subject & Monsanto you will be shocked at the rejection it’s receiving and rightly so the stuffs not good for ye
I have heard bad things about Mosanto alright, Foxy. I’ve been meaning to do more research into GM foods though, before I form an opinion.
I just don’t think the majority out there oppose it. I’d say the most are like me, and know little about it. Which is worrying.
I think you found the problem and solution
It’s up to the people to educate themselves and others about subjects like this nobody else is going to
True, the media doesn’t seem too interested in the subject, so I guess it’s up to each individual to source information.
Here some mate. Just a bit to get started. If you do start to look further you might notice a lot of surveys that suggest there is less concern about gms but the have the pattern of surveys that have loaded questions and with leading results, no flat out questions asked. keep an eye for that buddy.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/europeans-wary-of-gmo-foods-2137817.html
Thanks Joe, that’s exactly what I was looking for!
The EU is a million times worse than the US
At least in the US they all speak the same language
Wrong Sean, every day you manage to outdo yourself. Haha.
What kind of clown are you?
Sean. You really are a complete hatstand.
The Internet is a wild animal, one minute they think they’ve got it tamed, Napster, Limewire etc
Good cop bad cop same agenda.
Nail on the head
The US probably has Hollandes phone bugged already thinking he’s a terrorist. Most of us are in their eyes.
Not a specy one
Interesting contrast between this and other recent stories on the same subject.
Derek Keating & Sean Kelly should really take note.
have your say