Please check our Data Resources page for sources of numerical data.
this page references bibliographic texts for the study of demographic theory and practice.
This book presents and develops the basic methods and models that are used by
demographers to study the behaviour of human populations. These authors describe each
procedure clearly and concisely, making it a handbook for someone looking for details
of what is "under the hood" in population studies.
The book covers material taught in introductory courses in population analysis,
while also including more advanced topics such as parity progression ratios,
survival analysis, and birth interval analysis. Most chapters are followed by a
range of exercises, with exercise solutions at the end of the book.
In four sections: (1) How populations are measured, (2) how births, deaths and migration
influence population stability, concentrations and sparcity, (3) how population dynamics
affect the way we live, and (4) what and who influence population change.
This book provides with a comprehensive overview of
basic demographic prinicples and measures, delineating the interrelationships of demography with social and
economic problems. However well the theory is described, there is insufficient detail
to construct a life table or projection from this text.
{Extracted from book review by Christine Himes, Syracue University.}
These authors describe the methodologies that are the
foundation for population projections, while also providing insight into the complex issues
that interfere with the construction, interpretation, and evaluation of any set of population projections.
BOOKS - ADDITIONAL BREADTH:
The Politics of Numbers (The population of the United States in the 1980s), by William Alonso and Paul Starr.
(Russell Sage Foundation Publications, 1987)
An historical account of the Census since 1790, and the issues raised over this time span,
with a long chapter on the history of ethnicity.
Demography of Aging by Linda G. Martin and Samuel H. Preston, Eds; Committee on Population, National Research Council, 1994)
While the growth rate of the total population is expected to decline between 1955-1990 and 1990-2025, the growth rate of the elderly component is expected to accelerate.
Changes in the aggregate age structure are mirrored within nearly all social institutions, from firms to families. How these institutions accommodate themselves to impending changes in population age structures will
have a significant effect on the quality of life in the twenty-first century.
After you understand the basics, this author evaluates various demographic components,
to demonstrate the inter-relatedness of demographics research. He
provides a basis for using a demographic perspective in business planning, social issues, or for political policy.
These authors describe how the macroeconomy is affected over time by primary
demographic changes. For example, a proportional decline in fertility and
death rates has parallel effects on capital income. That is, if a large fraction of
the population retires (or passes away), society is expected to save less, leading
to a lower rate of capital accumulation and lower living standards
In this paper we survey five streams of research that have made important contributions
to population projection methodology over the last decade. These are: (i) the
evaluation of population forecasts; (ii) probabilistic methods; (iii) experiments
in the projection of migration; (iv) projecting dimensions additional to age, sex
and region; and (v) the use of scenarios for "what if" analyses and understanding
population dynamics. Key developments in these areas are discussed, and a number of
opportunities for further research identified.
