But Chesnais' ancieties are mainly centered around the falling birth rate and ageing in the industrialised countries, while Noin focuses on the rapid population growth of the poorer countries. The author extends his comparison of fertility in France and Sweden, using time series and longitudinal approaches, which he commenced in issue number 245 in April 1990. It now covers Northern, Western and Southern Europe. The later timing of this occurrence could, inter alia, depend on the means devoted to family policies. The number of births out of wedlock is increasing while the number of deaths has stabilised.
Life expectancy continues to grow while population ageing is becoming more widespread.
The migratory balance, as in 1990, is greater than the annual average of the two previous intercensal periods. The latter are more homogeneous than the 22 French regions, both in terms of population and density. European countries need to put their heads together on local administrative and statistical matters. The tertiary sector has gained about 1.9 million jobs, mainly in the teaching, health and Civil Service fields. The census was carried out under the strictest conditions and cannot be held suspect.