Intro

Question 1

van Dalen & Henkens. (2012). What is on a demographer’s mind? A worldwide survey.

Answer 1

Gist: Community of demographers has grown and become more interdisciplinary. Surveyed 970 demographers regarding 2 issues: (1) level of consensus about most urgent population issues; (2) whether there is a common approach or research style. There was a high level of consensus that the most important issue is population aging. Regarding policy, demographers are divided. There was a high level of consensus on success by being highly empirical. The field is interdisciplinary but well-integrated.

Question 2

Demeny & McNicoll. (2006). The political demography of the world system, 2000-2050.

Answer 2

Gist:

Question 3

Micklin & Poston. (2005). The demographer’s ken: 50 years of growth and change.

Answer 3

Gist:

Question 4

Ezeh, Bongaarts, & Mberu. (2012). Global population trends and policy options.

Answer 4

Gist: Mapping of global trends in population growth from 2005-2010 shows 4 distinct patterns.

1) Most of the poorest countries (except sub-Saharan Africa) are characterized by rapid growth (>2% per year).
- Problems: social, economic, & environmental pressures to sustain rapidly growing population
- Policies: Voluntary family planning programs to reduce high unmet need for contraception, unwanted pregnancies, & probirth reproductive norms
2) Large countries (e.g., India, Indonesia, north Africa, & western Latin America) have moderate annual growth (1-2% per year)
3) Most advanced-economy countries & large middle-income countries (e.g., China & Brazil) are characterized by low or no growth (0-1% per year)
4) Most of eastern Europe, Japan, & a few western European countries are characterized by population decline
- Problems: population aging & unsustainable burdens on public pensions & health care systems & slow economic growth
- Policies: Still evolving

Question 5

Demeny & McNicoll. (2006). World population 1950-2000: Perception and response.

Answer 5

Gist: