From what they have been able to uncover about people born in the northern Swedish Skellefteå region in the years 1885-1899, Skirbekk and Kolk believe that this can also provide insight into something that is relevant for Norwegians and Swedes today.

It is probably also relevant to other populations in Europe. And in other parts of the world.

“Despite high birth rates at the end of the 19th century, we find that almost half of all who lived at the time never had any great-grandchildren,” Skirbekk tells sciencenorway.no.

Almost as many were without grandchildren.

With today’s low birth rates and small cohorts, the researchers argue there is good reason to believe that the same will apply to those of us alive now.