J1 - Demographic EconomicsNávrat zpět

The issue of ageing is usually understood as a cultural and social problem in the developed countries. When addressed by economists, demographic questions are most frequently related to the pension reform or to the costs of healthcare. However, the effects of demographic change on productivity have to be examined, too. Will the economies be able to maintain the necessary amount of immigrants, so that the number of people in productive age does not decrease? Though the world population will keep increasing for some time, it will be happening at a much slower pace. The age structure issue will become apparent only with a minor delay in the developed economies, yet it may have a strong impact on the future migration potential. Another crucial question is the potential economic consequence of the changing proportion between the original population with its cultural and work habits and the immigrants. As can be observed and demonstrated, the issue of ageing will first become apparent in countries with a high share of industry and construction in GDP. Economies with a high share of services, on the other hand, will be less affected. The Czech Republic is a classic example of an economy based on industry and construction. Therefore, in ten or twenty years the country will face a rather insoluble problem, as the nature of its economy will clash with its demographic structure.

The paper is concerned with the microeconomic foundations of fertility, analyzing three approaches: the Chicago approach, the Pennsylvanian approach and Julian Simon's approach. The paper highlights the Chicago tradition that perceives children as either consumer goods or capital goods. The approach of Julian Simon to fertility in developing countries is discussed. The article assumes that people decide about their children rationally.

The current record wave of immigration is a problem and does not conform to the interests of most people in Europe. Immigration is ineffective as a global development policy. The article argues in favor of an immigration that is balanced and that is in the interests of citizens in Europe rather than just in the interests of potential immigrants, recent immigrants and businesses that like cheap labor. First section of the article perceives immigration in the context of the public debate. Second section calls attention to the record wave of immigration to Europe. Third section asks a question of who are the winners and losers of immigration. Forth section analyses free movement of people in the EU. Fifth section explains why immigration is not remedy to population aging. Sixth section is concerned with the strengths and weaknesses of multiculturalism. Seventh section draws attention to the problem of democratic legitimacy. Eighth section asks a question of whether there is a rational immigration policy.

The paper is concerned with macroeconomic aspects of fertility. Second section starts by outlining the role of population in the history of economic thought, and continues by examining the theory of demographic transition. The fourth section explores the relation between population and economic growth, distinguishing theoretical approaches and empirical research. The fifth section examines the relation between the birth rate and death rate. The sixth section makes insights into the interdependence of fertility and business cycles. The seventh section takes the fiscal effects of population development into account.