Are Married People Happier?

Are Married People Happier?

Differences in subjective wellbeing among cohabitating and married couples
Numerous studies have been published that have examined subjective wellbeing (SWB) and marriage status, finding that married people tend to have a higher SWB. But in today’s society, more couples are opting for cohabitation, which includes many benefits associated with marriage. This then leaves the question of whether individuals who cohabit have similar levels of SWB as married people.

Perelli-Harris et al. investigated whether individuals who cohabit have similar levels of subjective wellbeing (SWB) as married people. They studied events and characteristics correlated with entrance into marriage; whether marriage may be more advantageous for those with a lower or higher tendency to marry; and, finally, whether there is variation by country and gender between partnership type and SWB.

Have Mortality Differences Between East and West Germany Been Overcome?

Have Mortality Differences Between East and West Germany Been Overcome?

Study on avoidable mortality differences between Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein
Due to the division of Germany during the Cold War, former East and West Germany have provided demographers with a ‘natural experiment’, especially when studying mortality. Research by Michael Mühlichen used this idea to carry out a study on how mortality rates have developed in two German states since reunification with specific focus on premature mortality.

Research by Michael Mühlichen studied how mortality rates have developed in two German states since reunification with specific focus on premature mortality. Using official population and cause-of death statistics for Germany, he found that premature mortality has decreased rapidly since reunification, especially in the east.

Birth Weight Matters for Both Short- and Long-Term Health Outcomes

Birth Weight Matters for Both Short- and Long-Term Health Outcomes

To date, a large number of researchers have documented associations between lower birth weight and a range of health problems later in life. However, for a substantial amount of existing studies, it is unclear whether these associations reflect causality. Aiming at providing causal evidence in this field of research, Jonas Helgertz (University of Minnesota and Lund University) and Anton Nilsson (Lund University) analysed full-population Swedish register data on siblings and twins born between 1973 and 1994, and followed until 2011.

Jonas Helgertz (University of Minnesota and Lund University) and Anton Nilsson (Lund University) analysed full-population Swedish register data on siblings and twins born between 1973 and 1994, and followed until 2011. This is one of the first studies to look at the effect of birth weight on sick days in adulthood.

News: Kieron Barclay Appointed as Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow

Kieron Barclay Appointed as Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow

The Sociology Department at Stockholm University announced that docent of Sociology Kieron Barclay was recently appointed a Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow, with the project "The Impact of the Family of Origin on Health Inequalities: A Global, Historical, Multigenerational, and Comparative Perspective". The appointment is a five year research grant that includes Kieron Barclay being employed as a senior lecturer at the end of the five-year period.

The Sociology Department at Stockholm University announced that docent of Sociology Kieron Barclay was recently appointed a Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow, with the project "The Impact of the Family of Origin on Health Inequalities: A Global, Historical, Multigenerational, and Comparative Perspective".

Does Family Structure Relate to Children’s Physical Health?

Does Family Structure Relate to Children’s Physical Health?

New study looks at respiratory health, being overweight and accidental injuries
A new study based on the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally-representative longitudinal survey of children born in 2000-2 and living in the United Kingdom, explored the association between family structure trajectories and early physical health, as opposed to more commonly reported outcomes such as cognitive development or behaviour in older children.

A new study based on the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally-representative longitudinal survey of children born in 2000-2 and living in the United Kingdom, explored the association between family structure trajectories and early physical health, as opposed to more commonly reported outcomes such as cognitive development or behaviour in older children.

Books and Reports: Inequalities in the Access of Young People to Information and Support Services

Inequalities in the Access of Young People to Information and Support Services

Read the report here
In recent years, concerns have been expressed at EU and national level that the combined stresses arising from school, parental expectations and societal pressures can make the transition to adulthood difficult for young people – with the risk of a long-lasting negative impact. One way of easing the transition is to provide appropriate information and support services during these critical life-changing years. However, it appears that not all young people have access to such services.

This report describes the characteristics of the young people who face most difficulties in accessing social and health services, the types of services most relevant to them and the main challenges they face in accessing information and support services. It also looks at what service providers can do to ensure they reach young people in need of their support and presents innovative examples of how to tackle inequalities in access to services.

News: The 2019 "Population" Young Author Prize

The 2020 "Population" Young Author Prize

Deadline: 5 November 2019
The Population Young Author Prize is open to students or young researchers working in the field of population studies and will be awarded to the most outstanding original paper submitted to the competition jury.   Who is eligible to compete? Students enrolled in PhD or Master’s programs Young researchers who have defended their PhD thesis in the last seven years   What papers are eligible to compete?  

The Population Young Author Prize is open to students or young researchers working in the field of population studies and will be awarded to the most outstanding original paper submitted to the competition jury.

Who Cares?

Who Cares?

Securing support in old age
Download Population & Policy Compact 21/2019 (603.45 KB)
Key messages: The gender pay gap and other risks linked to the devaluation of care work should be tackled by combating ageism; creating and enforcing a minimum standard of care provision; creating a professional qualification system and career pathways for professional carers; and by supporting community-based care with solutions that respect the dignity and identity of care receivers.

The gender pay gap and other risks linked to the devaluation of care work should be tackled by combating ageism; creating and enforcing a minimum standard of care provision; creating a professional qualification system and career pathways for professional carers; and by supporting community-based care with solutions that respect the dignity and identity of care receivers. Measures to support informal caregivers should allow them to receive and transfer pension contributions and provide them with an array of relief measures. Care in old age should be a social responsibility framed as a human right, where a minimum standard of universal care is provided to everyone and quality controls are put in place.

Demography Today

Demography Today

Our partners at the Spanish National Research Council, Center for Humanities & Social Sciences, Institute of Economy, Geography & Demography, Research Group on Demographic Dynamics have an ongoing lecture series entitled "Demography Today".
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