POPULATION CHALLENGES IN MODERN SOCIETIES

The relevance of demographic change for economic and societal
dynamics cannot be ignored. Low fertility, population ageing and the new organization of family life have emerged in developed countries, while high fertility, high population growth, health threats and over-urbanization – largely intertwined with poverty – continue to affect developing countries. Migration connects the South to the North of the world in an important way, with enormous economic and politic implication.

The first part of this course provides a basic introduction to the study of population, ranging from formal and applied demographic techniques to the study of current population trends and of their interrelationships with the economy. These techniques are treated with practical examples that help students understand the main population dynamics that affect both developed and developing countries. The main data-bases will also be illustrated (Istat, Eurostat, United Nations ...) where students can find demographic macro-data and indicators.

The second part of the course, on the other hand, will have more
seminar character. Students will be offered a dossier of articles on issues of connection between population and economic grow. Among the themes of this dossier: interrelations between aging and the pension system; the economic impact of migration in the countries of departure and arrival; the causes and the economic and social consequences of low fertility; the economic impact of couple disruption.