79198 - Demography (6 Cfu)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the basic instruments to analyse structural and dynamic aspects of populations and to relate them to the economic system. Particularly, at the end of the course the student is able to measure and analyse population structural characteristics and the interaction of demographic components with economic dynamics.

Course contents

The course introduces the main concepts, methods, and tools of demography, providing the foundations needed to understand the structure and evolution of populations from a critical perspective. Through the study of phenomena such as fertility, mortality, migration, and population ageing, the course enables students to acquire the essential knowledge required to analyse demographic dynamics and interpret their social and economic implications.

Population and Demography

• Definition of population and the main areas of study in demography.
• Relationships between demographic dynamics, society, and the economy.
• Critical perspectives on the study of populations.

Demographic Data Sources

• Population censuses and their main characteristics.
• Population registers and civil registration systems.
• Sample surveys and national and international statistical sources.
• Big data in demography.
• Quality, comparability, and limitations of demographic data.

Population Structure

• Population composition by age and sex.
• Construction and interpretation of population pyramids.
• Main indicators of population structure, dependency, and ageing.
• Population composition by employment status and the economic consequences of demographic structures.

Measures of Population Growth

• The population balancing equation and the components of demographic change.
• Natural increase, net migration, and overall population change.
• Arithmetic, geometric, and continuous growth rates.
• Calculation and interpretation of population doubling time.

Crude and Specific Rates

• Definition and construction of the main demographic rates.
• Crude birth, death, and migration rates.
• Age-, sex-, and population-specific rates.

Standardisation Methods

• The purpose of standardisation in comparisons between populations.
• The direct method and the use of a standard population.
• The indirect method and the use of standard rates.
• Interpretation of standardised rates and comparative results.

Fertility

• Crude and specific measures of fertility.
• Age-specific fertility rates and the total fertility rate.
• Demographic, social, and economic factors influencing fertility.

The Demographic Transition

• Characteristics and stages of the demographic transition model.
• Demographic, social, and economic causes of the demographic transition.
• Effects of the transition on population growth and structure.
• Differences in transition pathways across countries and geographical areas.

Historical Evolution of the World Population and Growth Prospects

• Main stages in the growth of the world population.
• Historical and geographical differences in rates of population growth.
• Global population scenarios and projections.
• Demographic, economic, and environmental consequences of future growth.

The Lexis Diagram

• Structure and forms of representation of the Lexis diagram.
• Positioning demographic events by time and age.
• Cohort and period analysis.
• Analysis of the intensity and timing of demographic phenomena.

The Decrement Table

• General principles and structure of a decrement table.
• Construction and interpretation of the life table.

Migration

• Definitions, types, and main measures of migration.
• Analysis of internal and international migration flows.
• Evolution and characteristics of migration in Italy.

Readings/Bibliography

Materials will be made available on Virtuale.

The reference text is one of the following:

Massimo Livi Bacci (1999) Introduzione alla demografia, Loescher Editore, Torino.

Gian Carlo Blangiardo (2006), Elementi di Demografia, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Additional suggested readings:

Vignoli D., Paterno A. (2025), Rapporto sulla popolazione. Verso una demografia positiva. Il Mulino, Bologna.

Livi Bacci M. (2016), Storia minima della popolazione del mondo. Il Mulino, Bologna.

Rosina A., Impicciatore R. (2022), Storia demografica d’Italia. Crescita, crisi e sfide. Carocci, Roma.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures, laboratory sessions, and classroom discussions, with the aim of integrating theoretical learning with the practical application of the main tools of demographic analysis.

Laboratory activities involve the use of Microsoft Excel.

Assessment methods

The course is offered during the first semester, and no midterm assessments are scheduled.

The final assessment is designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the fundamental principles of demography, their command of the tools used to analyse population phenomena, and their ability to interpret results from a critical perspective.

The examination consists of a 120-minute written test comprising both quantitative exercises and questions on the theoretical topics covered in the course.

The final grade will be based on the accuracy of the analytical procedures adopted, the correct use of demographic indicators, the ability to interpret and discuss their meaning, knowledge of the theoretical approaches examined during the course, and the appropriate use of disciplinary terminology.

The use of AI in assessments is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Students with specific learning disabilities (SpLDs), temporary disabilities, or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Lectures and practical sessions will be supported by PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, and data drawn from the main sources of demographic statistics.

Throughout the course, students will also be provided with a range of supplementary materials, including datasets, web resources, academic articles, reports, infographics, data visualisations, indicator dashboards, interactive web pages, data and metadata repositories, opinion surveys, and materials from the press and investigative journalism.

All teaching materials will be made available through the Virtuale platform [https://virtuale.unibo.it/ ].

 

Office hours

See the website of Saverio Minardi