Is Eastern Europe experiencing a second demographic transition?

Abstract

Demographic indicators measllring intensity relatcd to the family have declined dramatically two years after political changes in Eastem Europe. However, nllptiality-fertility models display lower ages for the first marriage and for childbearing; lInlike the West whcre marriage and childbirth is often late. The total fertility rate is actllally lower in Eastern Europe than in the West. 11lc fall in fcrtility leads to natllral dccreasc valllcs in the East. TIle transfonnation of demographic patterns currcntly being obscrved is more rapid than it was in the West twenty years ago. In particular, the extemal conditions are qllite difterent. TIle symptoms are closer to crisis behavior throl to intentional choice. Czech reprodllctive pattems show that cOllples behavior has becn vcry pragmatic and scnsitivc to c:-..1cmalconditions. TIle recent sllrveys on auitlldes regarding family manifcst that Czech population focuses on traditional fronily with children (most ly two) based onlegal marriage.