In France, almost half of deaths (48% in 2010) are preceded by a medical decision that may hasten death. But only in 1% of cases are drugs administered to deliberately end life. The large majority of decisions taken are based on the provisions of the Leonetti Act, which enables physicians, under...

As people grow older, they face an increasing risk of loss of autonomy. When assistance with the activities of daily living becomes indispensable, this leads to dependence. Women live for longer than men, and outnumber them at advanced ages. They are also more frequently affected by disabilities...

If health conditions remain the same as today's, the population of dependent persons aged 75 and over should increase by 70% in Europe between now and 2030. Over the same period, the proportion of that population having neither partner nor surviving children should decline in favour those with...

According to the 2007 census, one in seven inhabitants of mainland France and Corsica lives alone. This proportion has increased steadily over the last fifty years, rising from 6% in 1962 to 14% in 2007. A larger proportion of women than men live alone. They leave the parental home earlier than...

In Europe, the next fifty years will be marked by the retirement and death of the baby boom generations. But the socioeconomic implications are not necessarily what one might expect. Though the people reaching retirement age will gradually outnumber young people entering the labour market,...