Demographic trends, young people’s attitudes towards marriage and socio-economic changes related to family formation in Greece and in the European Union : a comparative analysis based on official and survey research data

Abstract

The study is dealing with the evolution and the current patterns on marriage and family formation in Greece, as well as the related young population matters, by analyzing the demographic trends during the Post World War II, the temporary attitudes and behavior, especially of young people and the socio-economic factors associated with these trends. To meet these tasks, secondary and survey data are employed, demographic indicators are constructed and descriptive plus non parametric statistics are used. The similarities and differences across Europe are identified as Greece is partly following the southeastern demographic pattern and attitudes towards marriage and family formation, but also the particularities even from the other Mediterranean-Southern countries. The demographic and attitudinal differences among societies are due to the different time period that each of these passed through the certain phases of social and economic transformations.