Babies and Borders: Political Determinants of Population Policies in the European Union

Authors

• Lauren A. McHenry, Brigham Young University - ProvoFollow

Files

Keywords

fertility rate, low birth rates, demographic decline, pronatalism, immigration, populism, nationalism, European Union, restrictive immigration policy, immigration policy, pronatalist policy

Abstract

This research examines the political conditions under which pronatalist policy and restrictive immigration policy are implemented. Using the Nationalism Populism Database and World Population Review data, I classify different countries based on levels of populism and nationalism and determine countries’ levels of immigration restriction and pronatalism. I use a Most Similar Systems Design case study to compare the different policy outcomes of Spain and Italy. I find that populism is predictive of immigration restriction, while nationalism is predictive of pronatalist policy.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

McHenry, Lauren A., "Babies and Borders: Political Determinants of Population Policies in the European Union" (2026). FHSS Mentored Research Conference. 388.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/fhssconference_studentpub/388

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2026-04-09

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Political Science

University Standing at Time of Publication

Senior

Copyright Use Information

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