Population and Society
In this research area we deal with: Family demography and life course. Population ageing and the welfare systems. International migration. Integration of traditional surveys and administrative sources. Well-being indicators for sustainable development and inequality mitigation. Evaluation of the system education: value-added models and educational data mining.
Among the specific topics, we are dealing particularly with:
- Fertility and economic uncertainty
We study the relationship, also from a causal perspective, between uncertainty (economic but also other aspects too) and fertility. In this field we deal with both theoretical advances and empirical analyses, using established advanced statistical techniques together with innovative methodologies in these areas, such as laboratory experiments.
People: Alderotti, Guetto, Pirani, Tocchioni, Vignoli - Family demography
We particularly focus on issues related to mixed couples, marital breakdowns, formation of the union, childless couples, and intergenerational relations. The various demographic behaviours are studied with reference to individual socio-economic characteristics but also to the context in which the individual lives; we also carry out work of a more economic nature, e.g.: related to the implementation of models for calculating maintenance allowances on the basis of family characteristics.
Most of our studies focus on contemporary societies, but we also carry out specific studies of historical demography (e.g.: infant mortality).
People: Alderotti, De Santis, Guetto, Maltagliati, Pirani, Tocchioni, Vignoli - Population ageing and welfare systems
Our studies concern active ageing and the well-being of the elderly, intergenerational relations, care work performed by grandparents, but also the sustainability of pension systems, with reference to Italy and other Western countries. A specific theme concerns the health and wellbeing of populations, investigating socio-economic factors of inequality.
People: De Santis, Guetto, Pirani - Migrations
We study international migration to Western countries, considering the demographic consequences for the destination societies (mixed marriages between immigrants and natives, differences between natives and immigrants in the process of formation and break-up of the union, fertility of immigrants) and the socio-economic integration of immigrants (cultural distance between groups of individuals, integration of immigrants into European labour markets).
People: De Santis, Guetto, Maltagliati - Stratification and social inequalities
Our studies analyse how the ascribed characteristics (gender, social and ethnic origins) influence the educational attainment and labour market outcomes of individuals. We also look at the implications of changes in family structures (increased cohabitation, divorce and single-parent families) for the intergenerational reproduction of inequalities.
People: Guetto, Vignoli - Evaluation of the system of training
Implementation of tools for integrating multiple sources, and of advanced methods and models for analysing the internal and external effectiveness of academic training processes, as well as the quality of the relative support services. Assessment and positioning of university bodies/facilities in relation to sets of indicators. Analysis of first and second level student mobility, also using the tools of social network models and spatial correlation, in relation to indicators of the wellbeing of the territories and the reputation of the universities.
Persone: Bacci, Bertaccini, Bocci, Dorgali, Giambona, Petrucci - Sustainability and quality of life
Issues related to sustainability (environmental, economic, etc.), quality of life and social cohesion are studied from the point of view of measurement (e.g.: through the construction and validation of composite indicators) and the analysis of the factors at micro, meso and macro level that may affect them (through the implementation of statistical models of various types, e.g.: latent class, multilevel, etc.). We also study the consequences of climate change on the population, e.g.: in terms of migration.
Persone: M.F. Marino, Petrucci, Pirani
People: Alderotti, Bacci, Bertaccini, Brini, Cozzani, De Santis, Dorgali, Giambona, Guetto, Lombardi, Maltagliati, Mealli, Petrucci, Pinelli, Pirani, Tocchioni, Vignoli
Research projects funded in the thematic area "Population and Society", with PIs belonging to the Department:
- EU-FER – Economic Uncertainty and Fertility in Europe, ERC Consolidator Project (2017-2022, PI: D. Vignoli)
- CREW – Care, Retirement and Wellbeing, JPY Project, European Commission (2019-2021, PI: G. De Santis; B. Arpino)
- GDR – Great Demographic Recession, PRIN Project, Miur (2019-2021, PI: D. Vignoli)
- EU-FER Narratives, FARE Ricerca in Italia Initiative, Miur (2020-2022, PI: D. Vignoli
Other research projects in which researchers from the "Population and Society" area are involved:
- FAMI (Asylum Migration and Integration Fund)
Last update
06.03.2024