MSc in Economic Demography

Economic demography explores population characteristics and dynamics from an economic perspective. Economic de­mography was brought into focus in the 1950s, when the UN found that the world population grew more rapidly than previously considered. Today, the big population topic has shifted to population ageing while the issue of population decline is just about to enter into the agenda.

Population ageing not only implies an increase in the share of elderly but also an ageing of the labour force. Swings in fertility during the 1940s, 1960s and 1980s, create waves in population size and age structure which have a strong im­pact on the economy. Population change, at the same time, is influenced both by economic and social factors. Hence, it is of fundamental importance not to limit our studies to the consequences of population change and composition on economic factors and welfare systems, but also to include analyses of the causes of population change.

Economic and social changes related to demographic chang­es are global issues and the Master’s Programme in Econom­ic Demography provides training in the theories, methods and skills required to understand demographic dynamics. It focuses on the processes underlying population change, the contexts in which these processes originate and evolve and the consequences of such processes. Special interest is also given to studies on the family and the labour market, migration patterns and health and mortality issues.

Choose between one year or two years

The full programme comprises two years of full-time study, but there will be a provision to leave after one year with a Master of Science (60 credits). The first year gives broad knowledge of the socioeconomic aspects of demography and the tools needed to understand and study these processes, while the second year provides more detailed knowledge necessary for a career as a demographer.