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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
July 29, 2024
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are affected by armed conflict, both directly, through loss of life, or indirectly, through the loss of family members. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, CED – Centre d’Estudies Demogràfics and the University of Washington studied the extent and duration of grief among those who lost immediate family members in high-intensity conflicts. Their finding reveals that for every casualty, multiple loved ones carry the trauma for the rest of their lives. In Syria, for example, each death leaves an average of four relatives - parents and/or children - devastated. Bereavement can persist for decades, hindering reconciliation and potentially escalate future levels of violence. This study underscores the need for timely and effective conflict resolution and dedicated support for mourners. more
July 22, 2024
Single mothers often experience poorer mental health and lower life satisfaction due to increased stress, financial insecurity, and less support in everyday life. A study by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and Tilburg University reveals that new partnerships can improve the life satisfaction of single mothers, especially through increased financial resources. Long-term partnerships increase ' satisfaction compared to more frequent partner changes, and despite financial advantages, a new partner does not usually bring relief around household chores to the household.
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June 05, 2024
A study by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) shows that, in contrast to Finland, from midlife mothers in Italy and the US work significantly fewer years than fathers, especially if they have two and more children. The researchers highlight that better support and work opportunities for mothers not only improves their retirement security, but also helps stabilize pension systems. more
May 15, 2024
This recent study by Silvia Loi and colleagues examines how life events like job loss and divorce affect the health of immigrants using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. They find that immigrants experience more rapid declines in health as they age. Moreover, they find that job loss has a stronger and more long-lasting impact on the health of immigrants, especially men. more
March 26, 2024
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) used Facebook data to investigate the influence of cultural similarities on migration flows and found that cultural proximity plays as important a role in the choice of destination country as shared language and history. more
March 15, 2024
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) has researched parents' support behavior in relation to school grades. The study shows that low-income families support their children equally regardless of grades, while parents from higher income groups tend to give more support to children with lower grades. It also raises the question of whether these patterns contribute to low social mobility, as parents of high-achieving children from lower social classes do not have the same resources and strategies at their disposal as parents of low-achieving children from higher social classes. more