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July 02, 2025
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. The swift decline in, and evolving age structure of, these networks can significantly weaken traditional chains of mutual family support. more
June 11, 2025
A recent study by researchers at the University of Padua and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) has revealed that political differences between partners can significantly increase the risk of separation. Using long-term data from UK couples, the researchers found that those with different party preferences were substantially more likely to separate than those with the same political beliefs. The risk is particularly high when there are differences of opinion on Brexit. more
May 14, 2025
A team of researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) expanded the regional data included in the Scholarly Migration Database to examine how scientists move internationally across countries and internally within countries. The team found large disparities in the appeal of various countries and regions to scientists. When a region within a country is a popular destination for scientists, they come from both within the country and from abroad. Less attractive destinations see more complex patterns. more
April 03, 2025
New research from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) and Radboud Universiteit demonstrates how attitudes towards gender roles shape family planning decisions. They conclude that low fertility rates in egalitarian societies reflect more than just practical barriers to parenthood, but may signal a fundamental shift in social values and life priorities. more
April 02, 2025
A recently published study by Mikko Myrskylä, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock, Germany shows how money spent on education compensates for the influence of low birth rates on long-term economic sustainability. Myrskylä and his co-authors conducted a simulation using Finish data to study how the economy shrinks when fertility is very low, and how investments in education can compensate for the smaller birth cohort size. They find that such investments increase the productivity of the workforce which compensates for its smaller size. more
February 03, 2025
The stillbirth rate in Europe has been steadily improving over the last few decades, but there are some exceptions. In Germany and Belgium, rates have significantly increased since 2010, while other European countries have seen declines or stability. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) have investigated how factors like increasing maternal age and multiple births may have influenced these trends and differences across Europe. The analyses indicate that these factors explain only a small portion of the variations. more
November 05, 2024
New research shows a strong correlation between higher levels of female education and lower fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa. A study by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) and partners finds that educated women are leading the shift towards smaller family sizes, even influencing the decisions of less educated women around them. The study's innovative forecasting model based on education levels provides policymakers with better tools to understand how women's education can shape future population trends and promote sustainable development. more
October 22, 2024
A new study conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), the University of Cologne, GESIS and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health explores how an individual’s financial wealth changes in relation to generational transitions within the family. The results indicate that those who become parents and grandparents later in life, and, particularly if they experience the loss of their parents later, tend to accumulate the most wealth. In contrast, families spanning four generations experience the smallest increase in wealth. A person's financial wealth is deeply interconnected with intergenerational family transitions, such as the birth of grandchildren or the death of parents, and is tied to the family structure as a whole. more
September 25, 2024
A new study examines how extreme temperatures in the United States significantly affect mortality among different racial groups and found that both cold and hot days increase mortality rates, with the latter disproportionately affecting underrepresented populations. In particular, Non-Hispanic Blacks experienced higher excess mortality on hot days compared to Whites. The findings highlight the importance of adaptation measures, especially for racial minorities, and call for urgent action and targeted policies to mitigate the health risks of extreme temperatures caused by climate change. more
September 03, 2024
During the Covid-19 pandemic, parents suddenly had to cope without formal childcare, placing a significant strain on mothers in particular. A recent study from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) examines the changes in childcare arrangements during the pandemic and how this impacted parents' mental health. Mothers who continued to be primarily responsible for childcare experienced increased stress and exhaustion during the pandemic. Fathers, on the other hand, benefited in terms of health when their partner continued to provide the majority of childcare duties. more