Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Blog@MPIDR | July 17, 2025

MPIDR on Tour – Two Months at the UN in NYC

In spring 2025 Henrik Schubert, Research Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) and newly graduated PhD from the University of Oxford, spent two months at the United Nations Population Division (UN) in New York City, USA. Henrik had the opportunity to apply his academic knowledge to the practical science being undertaken at the UN by observing and participating in its political work and workflows. And he got to experience what it's like to live in New York City.   More

Recommended Reading | July 08, 2025

How is Depression Linked to Childlessness?

In a paper published in November 2024, Sanna Kailaheimo-Lönnqvist, Mikko Myrskylä, and colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) and University of Helsinki examined the relationship between depression, as measured by antidepressant use, and childlessness. Using Finnish total population register data for cohorts born between 1977 and 1980, they found a positive association between depression and childlessness.  More

New Publication | July 02, 2025

Rapid Demographic Changes Reshape Family Structures

Declining birth rates and rising life expectancy are reshaping the size and age structure of families worldwide. A recent study reveals that the question is not only whether these changes will occur, but also how quickly they will unfold. Analyses of real population data from Thailand, Indonesia, Ghana and Nigeria as well as stylized scenarios confirm this trend. In countries undergoing rapid demographic change, people with an age difference of only five to ten years may have drastically different kinship networks.  More