Blog@MPIDR

© istockphoto.com / sturti

Yesterday’s Family Model, Tomorrow’s Demographic Reality?

September 17, 2026
Low birth rates, an aging population, and labor shortages: political debates often present a surprisingly simple answer to all three — more babies. Yet a narrow focus on birth rates risks overlooking the conditions in which children are born and raised, as well as the far-reaching effects pronatalist policies can have on women’s lives. At the same time, conservative ideas about family and gender roles are making a comeback. But do these traditional family models actually hold up against demographic realities? A closer look at Germany — and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in particular — suggests otherwise. (Only available in German) more

© MPIDR

My Internship at the MPIDR

April 30, 2026
Johann Behrendt was a visiting researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock from February to April. He is currently studying psychology in Leipzig. In the MPIDR blog, he describes his experiences as a research intern gaining an insight into a scientific discipline other than his own. more

© istockphoto.com / OlegAlbinsky

MPIDR on Tour – Two Months at the UN in NYC

July 17, 2025
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

© Risto Conte Keivabu

My Takeaways From COP29 in Baku

January 21, 2025
MPIDR scientist Risto Conte Keivabu was part of a Max Planck Society delegation that attended COP29 as an observer last year. In this short blog, he summarises his impressions and insights from the trip. more