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The world is in the middle of momentuous population transformations that also impact economies, well-being, social policies, health and welfare system across countries. Recent milestone of 8 billion people living on the planet was met with a mix of cautious celebration and worries. Whereas some countries still record rapid population growth, many face declining population, outmigration, and record-low fertility rates. Yet other countries suffer from conflict, crises and violence that affect all components of population dynamics and fuel large-scale forced migration. In higher- and middle-income countries, long-term expansion of life expectancy coupled with declining fertility contribute to population ageing which requires wide-reaching adjustments in labour market, health care and social security systems.
What are the main challenges linked with population trends in different parts of the world? How are different countries responding to these challenges? What are the likely future population changes and how can societies adjust to these changes? This course consists of six blocs, 90 minutes each. It covers in a nutshell selected global population trends that are often seen as problematic or challenging at a national or a global scale, including low and very low fertility, high and stalling fertility, changes in family relations, international migration, population aging, population decline and conflict-driven mortality crises and forced migration. Population challenges in selected countries and regions, including Europe, China, India, and the United States, will also be discussed. The goal is not to provide a detailed account of population trends, but rather to critically discuss some of the key population issues and their driving factors within a broader context of social and economic change. The course also considers different strategies and policy responses to demographic change. Students are expected to be actively involved in the seminar through discussing the themes of the seminar, reading suggested papers, and preparing am assignment. The course is in English and will be concluded with a short exam; see more details below. Keywords: Global population change, population challenges, population and development, fertility, mortality, migration, population decline, crisis demography, population policies, population projections, Europe, China Last update: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (17.02.2025)
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Literature is provided during the semester. Last update: Kurtinová Olga, RNDr. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.02.2023)
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Course requirements Course assignment Students are expected to read selected papers in English; reading lists of required and suggested papers for each topic will be provided during the course. Each student is expected to prepare an assignment. The assignment topic should be approved by the lecturer, Tomas Sobotka. Assignments can be prepared by individual students or by two students working together. Each student has to successfully pass an exam to complete the course. The working language of the course and of the assignments is English.
Exam and course completion requirements: • Successfully completing an assignment (35%); see more detailed information below • At least three (out of five) short tests (10 minutes each) during the course (30%); tests will be taken at the begginning of lectures 2-6. If more than three tests will be completed by the student, results of the three best tests will be counted • Final short oral exam (in person or online via Zoom) (35%)
Assignment: detailed specification A figure or a series of figures on a selected population issue Original figure, map, or illustration (or a series of 2-3 figures, i.e., infographics) accompanied with a short text • The figures should be original (created by you) and should relate to a selected population trend, issue, or challenge that you can analyse, comment and discuss • The figure(s), together with a brief caption should „tell the story“ without requiring too much additional explanation • The design, clarity, and the interconnection between different elements important • Suggested format of the accompanying text: 1. One sentence summarising the aim or research question, 2. A brief analytical commentary on the figure(s), highlighting the main finding(s), 3. One-sentence summary or discussion on the relevance of your finding(s) Evaluation criteria: • Selection of the topic and the narrative; originality • Using reliable and preferably official data (e.g., from the national statistical offices); all sources need to be documented • Design and graphical presentation; how different elements (figure, accompanying text, data sources) fit together • How informative the figure and the accompanying text are Other notes and requirements: • Do not use AI tools for generating the figure. Any use of AI, should be declared • If the assignment is a joint work by two students, contribution of each of them should be specified. Assignments prepared by two students will be assessed more Deadlines: Assignment topic to be suggested by 24 March 2025 (i.e., until the 3rd lecture); topics can be consulted with the lecturer in advance. Each topic needs to be approved by the lecturer, T. Sobotka. Deadline for completing the assignments: 15 May 2025 (recommended earlier) Students need to have completed their assignment before their final (oral) exam Last update: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (17.02.2025)
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Outline of the course schedule: Note that this schedule may be flexibly revised. Lecture 1 (24 February 2025): • Introduction, info about the course, assignments, exam • Why demography matters: thinking about contemporary population challenges • International migration challenges (1): Global migration – an overview Lecture 2 (10 March 2025): • International migration challenges (2): Migration in highly developed countries • Global fertility: too high or too low? Lecture 3 (24 March 2025): • Global fertility: low and very fertility. Trends, drivers, consequences • Ultra-low fertility in East Asia • Do family policies affect fertility? Lecture 4 (7 April 2025): • Mortality, health and population aging • Crisis demography: demographic consequences of climate change, conflicts, and disasters Lecture 5 (28 April 2025) • Crisis demography: Demographic consequences of the Russian war against Ukraine • Population challenges in two Asian giants: China and India Lecture 6 (5 May 2025) • Policy options to address the unforlding population challenges • Future population challenges: scenarios until 2100 Last update: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (17.02.2025)
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