There have been a few interesting reports in the press over the last couple of weeks which might provide good case study material for the Population Unit.Firstly there is Germany's pro natalist policy which will see cash payments of up to £17000 per baby.... but only if they were born on or after 1st january 2007. I expect there were a lot of Mums-to-be trying to delay labour in Germany on the 31st December!!
You can read the full story on the BBC website by clicking on the image above. From there you can also link to a number of other artcles about Europe's falling birth rates.
Secondly there is a 'local' story which links Bulgaria's accession to the EU with Dundee....
"Goodbye Sofia, hello to . . . Dundee"
Some 1500 Bulgarians already live in Dundee and it is expected that they will soon be joined by another 1000. You can read the full 'Times On Line' article by clicking the headline above. You might then try to consider the push / pull factors for this migration. A reminder of some of the push factors could be gleaned from the Nov 23rd posting on the Higher Geog Blog.
