We study the structure and dynamics of populations and explore issues of political relevance, such as aging, fertility, and the redistribution of work over the life course, as well as digitization and the use of new data sources for the estimation of migration flows.
Press Release | March 05, 2026
Weaponizing Kinship
In a recent study published in the journal Population and Development Review, researchers quantified how many Colombians have ever lost at least a family member to conflict-related violence in the country. These killings and disappearances can be considered a deliberate tactic to destabilize families and communities. More
March
16
Scientific Presentations
Talks@BIOSFER
2:00 PM: Talk with Louise Illum (Aarhus University) - tba 2:20 PM: Talk with Kelsey Wright (MPIDR) - Biological Age Meets Couple Duration: Untangling timing of first births in the context of fertility decline 2:40 PM: Talk with Maria Lyster Andersen (NIPH) - tba More
All Events
IDEM118 Course - Apply now!
Microsimulation Methods in Demography: Fertility Applications
Recommended Readings | February 25, 2026
Analysing Biases in Genealogies
Introduction to our research groups
Population Health
News | March 04, 2026
Large Gaps in Migration Research
Migration research focuses primarily on high-income countries and regions, such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Despite their significant migrant populations, researchers have found that low-income countries, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, are underrepresented. A recent study identified and analyzed about 125,000 migration-related publications. It shows that research output depends largely on the national research infrastructure and the authors' affiliation with specific institutions. More
Selected Publications
Loi, S.; Li, P.; Myrskylä, M.:
Unequal weathering: how immigrants’ health advantage vanishes over the life-course Journal of Migration and Health 11:100303, 1–11. (2025)
Şanlitürk, A. E.; Billari, F. C.:
Search for a new home: refugee stock and Google search International Migration Review, 1–29. (2024)
More Publications
Call for Application
Lise Meitner Excellence Program
ARTEMIS – African Research Talents Experiencing Mentoring In Science
Questions and Answers
Being a Researcher at the MPIDR
Working at MPIDR
Life & Research in Rostock
Career
Open Positions
New Issue 4/2025 available | December 18, 2025
The Quarterly German Newsletter
Pre-Conference EPC Workshop
Climate Demography: Population Dynamics in a Changing Climate
Latest Publications
New Research Group | February 06, 2026
New Max Planck Research Group on Medical Demography
For more than five decades, the Max Planck Research Groups have been a key focus of promoting young scientists within the Max Planck Society. The selection process for group leader positions is rigorous. Last year, Marcus Ebeling, a scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), successfully completed the process. He will lead the 'Medical Demography' research group from July onwards. More