Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

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

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Scientific Presentations

LabTalks­@DCD

Elizaveta?Sivak from the University of Groningen gives a talk.  More

All Events

Conference

MPIDR@IPC2025

Introduction to our research groups

Labor Demography

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)

Colasurdo, A.; Omenti, R.:

Using online genealogical data for demographic research: an empirical examination of the FamiLinx database   Demographic Research 51:41, 1299–1350. (2024)

More Publications

New Issue 2/2025 available | July 01, 2025

The Quarterly German Newsletter

Questions and Answers

Being a Researcher at the MPIDR

Working at MPIDR

Life & Research in Rostock

Press Release | April 03, 2025

Gender Role Beliefs Shape Desire for Parenthood

[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

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The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It's part of the Max Planck Society, the internationally renowned German research society.