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.
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
July
15
Tutorial
Incubator 2025 tutorial
Yanji Du from the Laboratory of Population Dynamics and Sustainable Well-Being gives a tutorial as part of the 2025 Summer Incubator Programme. More
All Events
Conference
MPIDR@IPC2025
Meeting@IPC2025 | July 03, 2025
New IUSSP Panel on Kinship Structures, Dynamics and Inequalities
Introduction to our research groups
Demographic Data
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
Selected Publications
Gueltzow, M.; Lahtinen, H.; Bijlsma, M. J.; Myrskylä, M.; Martikainen, P.:
Genetic propensity to depression and the role of partnership status Social Science and Medicine 351:116992, 1–8. (2024)
Begall, K.; Hiekel, N.:
Examining the gender equality-fertlity paradox in three Nordic countries Population and Development Review, 1–31. (2025)
More Publications
New Issue 2/2025 available | July 01, 2025
The Quarterly German Newsletter
Research Visit | June 04, 2025
Population and Social Data Science Summer Incubator Program 2025
Questions and Answers
Being a Researcher at the MPIDR
Working at MPIDR
Life & Research in Rostock
New articles every week
Jobs & Fellowships
Press Release | April 03, 2025
Gender Role Beliefs Shape Desire for Parenthood
Open Access
Online Available Books
[SPOTLIGHT] | June 25, 2025
Should you Claim Your Pension Early or Wait?
In the US, the later you retire, the higher your monthly pension benefit will be. Researchers have investigated whether this is optimal, given the uncertainties surrounding life expectancy. The results show that delaying retirement poses a particular financial risk to men and low-income groups, and that different decisions are necessary depending on individual circumstances and uncertainty. More