ABSTRACT
Population events are of significance at a variety of scales both in the life of individuals and in the evolution of societies. Childbirth, migration and death constitute turning points in the human life-course often marked by ceremonies, such as christening and funerals, which carry diverse societal and cultural meanings. Population occurrences considered together also have a great impact on the trajectory of societies. Births and immigration increase the size of population, whereas deaths and migration decrease it. In addition, population events taken in the aggregate induce shifts between the groups constituting societies. Fertility and migration usually exhibit considerable differentials between social strata and between ethnic groups; even the risk of death varies with social classes. Thus, the results of demographic processes greatly contribute to social dynamics. In turn, demographic events are themselves affected by the intricate interplay of contextual factors. Although the demographic behaviour of families is apparently determined by individual preferences and choices, in reality, the range of options available for them is considerably influenced by economic, social, cultural and political circumstances. For instance, established patterns in family size are among the crucial determinants of fertility, and migration can be constrained by legal frameworks, whereas mortality is often closely related to the living standard. 1
