Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

This working paper presents a part of the work in 'Nordic regions and the demographic challenge' initiative by the Nordic working group for the exchange of experience and knowledge developments (urban policies). One issue that has gained political recognition in recent years is the consequences for, and challenges faced by, regions marked by significant demographic change. In order to highlight the various territorial development patterns currently prevalent in the Nordic Countries, and the differences that occur across similar types of regions, this paper outlines the various possibilities for analytic comparisons at two levels. Firstly, local labour markets can be used to highlight the key development trends in functional areas of various sizes. Secondly the 'Nordic urban typology' can be used as a spatial analytical tool to map regional development trends while distinguishing between different urban types of Nordic labour markets in a comparable manner. In addition to introducing new material this report also includes follow-up analyses to a 2006 study, 'The role of urban areas in regional development - a European and Nordic perspective" with the intent of tracking the changes to the functional local labour markets that have occurred in the interim.

Labor market.

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Demographic handbook for the Nordic countries - and how the B7 islands could make use of it. The new demographic handbook for the Nordic countries, produced by Nordregio, emphasises the emergence of three key demographic trends across the Nordic countries. Migration is the main driver of demographic development with the population being increasingly concentrated to larger cities and regional centres the population is also ageing, although this varies both in its extent and in the actual rate of increase, while in addition, the gender balance continues to vary significantly across the territory. Individually and collectively these trends will have a crucial impact on practically all policy fields. The purpose of this policy brief is to provide regional and local policymakers with useful information for decision-making and planning to handle the demographic challenges.

Regional planning. --- Urban policy.

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

The final version of the demographic handbook has now been published in Swedish. The handbook aims at providing a new tool for regional and local policy-makers to find inspiration when preparing strategies and projects to respond to the demographic changes in the Nordic countries. The demographic handbook is indexing more than 150 Nordic projects that are responding to the demographic changes in the Nordic countries. The handbook is divided into four parts. Each part represents one index. In Part 1, the index key is geography. Four maps provide an opportunity to create a demographic profile on municipal and regional level in all the Nordic countries. The four maps presented in Part 1 in the handbook are also developed as interactive maps. On the web page there is also a fifth map where the examples of Nordic projects presented in part 2 and 3 of the handbook are presented. In Part 2 of the handbook, the index key is the themes in the projects. Ten themes are identified, such as health, education, and regional and local development. In Part 3, the index key is the methods in the projects. Seven methods are identified, such as cooperation, prognosis, and attractiveness. This is the final edition of the demographic handbook, published in June 2012. The handbook has been discussed at four Nordic workshops gathering regional and local policymakers and revised according to comments at these workshops. The handbook is published in Swedish and Finnish.

Regional planning

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

The synthesis report introduces a set of tools to get a better overview over the mechanisms in the demographic change. Further the connections between the research based process of analysis and the administrative process of policy development is discussed. A general demographic trend is the migration from smaller places to larger towns and cities. Besides that we tend to live longer and we tend to produce fewer children per woman. The consequence of this trend is that the population is gradually growing older. The main challenge in respect of gender is the uneven settlement pattern. With the exception of some major city areas few places see a surplus of women. The rest of the regions have a surplus of men. Another trend in the policy of the Nordic countries has in the recent years been to focus on attracting international migrants with a higher education. Thus, the value of international migration is seen more and more as an investment in human capital in the same way as investments are made in education itself. These are only some of the demographic challenges being discussed in the synthesis report. The report is based on the most up to date demographic data from the national statistical agencies in the Nordic countries and on the numerous research rapports recently produced by Nordregio, the OECD and other institutions on various demographic themes. A draft was discussed on a workshop in August 2011. The purpose of conducting this knowledge overview on demography in the Nordic countries is to use this as a basis for creating a handbook with tools and 'good practice' descriptions enabling national, regional and local authorities to work more effectively with issues in relation to the emerging demographic challenges they face and the future possibilities that stem from this.

Scandinavia --- History.

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)