In recent decades, discussions on current and future population trends have shifted from panic over disastrous population explosions driven by high birth rates, to economic miracles fueled by demographic dividends, followed by doomsday narratives on low fertility, uncontrollable migration, ageing and depopulation.

At a time when population issues are at the forefront of conversations about current and future global challenges, understanding the nature and significance of demographic changes is crucial for comprehending the rise in global population and how future societies will evolve.

Exploring everything from population panic during plagues in our early civilisations to a future of highly urban societies at the end of this century, this course examines what drives changes in the size and structure of populations. We will investigate how the populations in different countries grew at varying rates and the impact that this growth has on our societies today. We will explore the theory behind the demographic transition, including how fertility and mortality declines have evolved alongside changes in migration and urbanisation patterns. Finally, we will explore how the development levels of societies and our environment are influenced by population and family structures, and how these impacts are likely to unfold in future decades.

Using examples from East Asia and beyond, we will adopt a demographic perspective that will cultivate your ability to understand how and why populations have developed. Through a range of lectures and group discussions, you will develop an understanding of the fundamental role that population plays in today's society and the potential impact that population change will have in the far future.