DEMOS – bulletin on population and society, May/June 2026, Volume 42, Special Issue 4:
The ambivalent childbearing motivations among young adults
Across Europe and many other parts of the world, people are having fewer children than in the past. This longlasting trend suggests that something deeper is changing: not just economic conditions, but also how people think and feel about becoming parents. New research using data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) sheds light on this shift: many people today feel conflicted about having children. They can see the benefits, but their concerns often weigh more heavily. Read more …
Do classical concert halls need to worry about ageing audiences?
Research into age and generational effects vis-à-vis classical concert attendance in the Netherlands since 1979 shows that concert attendance increases with age. Concert attendance has also declined across generations, but this decline appears to be levelling off among recent generations. Read more …
Why early language choices matter for immigrant children’s education
Growing up in a household where the language of instruction is not spoken daily can make the first school years more challenging. In the Netherlands, frequent use of Dutch at home helps immigrant children perform better in school — especially in language tests — and improves their chances of entering higher education. Read more …
Understanding the brain drain in left-behind regions
Many rural regions are facing a brain drain as their promising young adults move to urban areas seeking economic opportunities. What motivates people to move? Our research reveals that many adults from ages 30 years and older prioritise social conditions when choosing where to settle down. Read more …
The growing number of financially vulnerable immigrant retirees
Across Western countries, the number of older immigrants (foreign-born people aged 65+) has increased rapidly and is projected to keep increasing. Considering that many ‘fall through the cracks’ in pension systems designed for native-born citizens, more research on this cohort is imperative. Read more …
Why queer pathways to parenthood matter
Becoming a parent is increasingly possible for sexual minorities, but not always attainable. A new project examines the different paths to parenthood for sexual minorities, and the obstacles that still stand in their way. Read more …
Parenthood and persistence of employment gaps across Europe
Over the past few decades, women’s positions in most European labour markets have improved considerably. Among childless women and men, the employment gaps are now modest in most countries. However, Eurostat data show that among parents, a substantial gender gap in employment rates is persistent. Read more …
