BMJ 2013;347:f6639 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f6639 (Published 6 November 2013)
Page 1 of 2
Letters
LETTERS DISASTER OF AUSTERITY IN EUROPE
Austerity in Greece not only kills but also curtails births and marriages 1
2
George Michas research associate , Stefanos Papadopoulos research fellow , Renata Micha 13 research associate Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens, Greece; 2Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, UK; 3Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA 1
Although the tremendous toll that austerity has had on the health of the Greek population has received considerable attention,1 2 its effects on births and marriages have been largely overlooked. A recent study that encompassed 14 European countries showed that recession induced postponement and recuperation of fertility over the course of 35 years.3 Furthermore, the positive correlation between births and marriages is well established in Greek society.4 The table⇓, which aims to evaluate potential associations between the financial crisis and the number of births and marriages, shows trends in births and marriages in Greece from 2009 to 2012. Over the four years assessed, unemployment increased from 9.5% to a staggering 24.2%, whereas gross domestic product decreased by 17.3%. During the same period, the number of births decreased from 117 933 in 2009 to 100 371 in 2012 (relative decrease of 14.9%). This decrease was due to the decrease of births in wedlock (from 110 184 to 92 731; relative decrease of 15.8%). Births out of wedlock did not change over this period. Similarly, marriages decreased from 59 212 in 2009 to 49 710 in 2012 (relative decrease of 16.0%). By contrast, registered partnerships, which were first allowed in 2009, increased from 161 in 2009 to 314 in 2012 (relative increase of 95%).
In conservative Greek society, most births take place in wedlock, so it seems an unavoidable side effect of the drop in marriages that fewer births will take place. The fact that the total fertility rate in Greece in 2011 was 1.40 (data from ELSTAT), whereas the replacement fertility rate is roughly 2.10 births per woman for most industrialised countries, illustrates the seriousness of the Greek demographic problem. We need to find ways to reverse the dismal financial situation and promote policies that enable young people to access the labour market. Competing interests: None declared. 1 2 3 4
Arie S. Has austerity brought Europe to the brink of a health disaster? BMJ 2013;346:f3773. (18 June.) Kondilis E, Giannakopoulos S, Gavana M, Ierodiakonou I, Waitzkin H, Benos A. Economic crisis, restrictive policies, and the population’s health and health care: the Greek case. Am J Public Health 2013;103:973-9. Neels K, Theunynck Z, Wood J. Economic recession and first births in Europe: recession-induced postponement and recuperation of fertility in 14 European countries between 1970 and 2005. Int J Public Health 2013;58:43-55. Demoliates YD, Katsouyiannopoulos VC. Seasonality of births: changing pattern correlated with the seasonality of marriage. J Epidemiol Community Health 1995;49:110-1.
Cite this as: BMJ 2013;347:f6639 © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2013
[email protected] For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
BMJ 2013;347:f6639 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f6639 (Published 6 November 2013)
Page 2 of 2
LETTERS
Table Table 1| Marriages and births in Greece, 2009-12 Year
Marriages
Registered partnerships
Births Births in wedlock Births out of wedlock
Average annual unemployment rate
GDP* (in 2005 constant market prices), €m†
2009
59 212
161
117 933
110 184
2010
56 338
180
114 766
106 415
7749
9.5
203.843
8351
12.5
193.768
2011
55 099
185
106 428
2012
49 710
314
100 371
98 579
7849
17.7
180.002
92 731
7640
24.2
168.515
All data from Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT; www.statistics.gr). *GDP=gross domestic product. †1€=£0.85=$1.35.
For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
Page 1 of 2
Letters
LETTERS DISASTER OF AUSTERITY IN EUROPE
Austerity in Greece not only kills but also curtails births and marriages 1
2
George Michas research associate , Stefanos Papadopoulos research fellow , Renata Micha 13 research associate Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens, Greece; 2Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, UK; 3Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA 1
Although the tremendous toll that austerity has had on the health of the Greek population has received considerable attention,1 2 its effects on births and marriages have been largely overlooked. A recent study that encompassed 14 European countries showed that recession induced postponement and recuperation of fertility over the course of 35 years.3 Furthermore, the positive correlation between births and marriages is well established in Greek society.4 The table⇓, which aims to evaluate potential associations between the financial crisis and the number of births and marriages, shows trends in births and marriages in Greece from 2009 to 2012. Over the four years assessed, unemployment increased from 9.5% to a staggering 24.2%, whereas gross domestic product decreased by 17.3%. During the same period, the number of births decreased from 117 933 in 2009 to 100 371 in 2012 (relative decrease of 14.9%). This decrease was due to the decrease of births in wedlock (from 110 184 to 92 731; relative decrease of 15.8%). Births out of wedlock did not change over this period. Similarly, marriages decreased from 59 212 in 2009 to 49 710 in 2012 (relative decrease of 16.0%). By contrast, registered partnerships, which were first allowed in 2009, increased from 161 in 2009 to 314 in 2012 (relative increase of 95%).
In conservative Greek society, most births take place in wedlock, so it seems an unavoidable side effect of the drop in marriages that fewer births will take place. The fact that the total fertility rate in Greece in 2011 was 1.40 (data from ELSTAT), whereas the replacement fertility rate is roughly 2.10 births per woman for most industrialised countries, illustrates the seriousness of the Greek demographic problem. We need to find ways to reverse the dismal financial situation and promote policies that enable young people to access the labour market. Competing interests: None declared. 1 2 3 4
Arie S. Has austerity brought Europe to the brink of a health disaster? BMJ 2013;346:f3773. (18 June.) Kondilis E, Giannakopoulos S, Gavana M, Ierodiakonou I, Waitzkin H, Benos A. Economic crisis, restrictive policies, and the population’s health and health care: the Greek case. Am J Public Health 2013;103:973-9. Neels K, Theunynck Z, Wood J. Economic recession and first births in Europe: recession-induced postponement and recuperation of fertility in 14 European countries between 1970 and 2005. Int J Public Health 2013;58:43-55. Demoliates YD, Katsouyiannopoulos VC. Seasonality of births: changing pattern correlated with the seasonality of marriage. J Epidemiol Community Health 1995;49:110-1.
Cite this as: BMJ 2013;347:f6639 © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2013
[email protected] For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
BMJ 2013;347:f6639 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f6639 (Published 6 November 2013)
Page 2 of 2
LETTERS
Table Table 1| Marriages and births in Greece, 2009-12 Year
Marriages
Registered partnerships
Births Births in wedlock Births out of wedlock
Average annual unemployment rate
GDP* (in 2005 constant market prices), €m†
2009
59 212
161
117 933
110 184
2010
56 338
180
114 766
106 415
7749
9.5
203.843
8351
12.5
193.768
2011
55 099
185
106 428
2012
49 710
314
100 371
98 579
7849
17.7
180.002
92 731
7640
24.2
168.515
All data from Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT; www.statistics.gr). *GDP=gross domestic product. †1€=£0.85=$1.35.
For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
