关键词: 欧洲, 第二次人口转变, 第一次人口转变, 中国人口转变

Abstract: Based on the generalization of European historical process of population changes, the theory of demographic transition was constructed. In the recent decades, population changes in Europe show new trends and features, basing on which the “ European Second Demographic transition theory” has been proposed.However , the new phenomenon and new theory are not referred at all in the discussion of demographic transition among Chinese scholars.This paper aims at summarizing the main perspectives of the “ European Second Demographic Transition” theory , comparing the main features of the first and second demographic transition, analyzing the mechanisms and the future trends of the transition .The last section briefs contemplation on the plausible paths of family and population development in China as well as in the world.

Keywords: Europe, the second demographic transition, the first demographic transition, population changes in China