Demographic Transformation Research Articles

Geriatric rehabilitation in the Netherlands and their preparedness for the increase in older adults: a scoping review

BackgroundThe global population is undergoing a significant demographic transformation characterized by an aging population. Healthcare systems need to prepare for this shift. Challenges concerning care of older adults will be significant in the Netherlands in the coming years, as the country is just at the beginning of the predicted fast increase in its ageing population. Within healthcare systems, geriatric rehabilitation is seen as a core component. To gain more insight into how the healthcare sector is preparing for this change, this study aims to describe the actions taken and the effects of these actions within geriatric rehabilitation in the Netherlands.MethodsFollowing established scoping review methods, the electronic databases Medline Ovid, AMED, Cinahl, and Embase were searched for peer-reviewed papers from 2013 to 2024 reporting on geriatric rehabilitation in the Netherlands.ResultsTwenty-six articles were selected, and three themes informing the actions taken were identified: (1) policy implications for geriatric rehabilitation, (2) content and structure of geriatric rehabilitation, and (3) follow-up care and prevention. Policies influence funding and this is primarily governed by diagnostic treatment combinations (DBCs). The main challenges are the exclusion of certain conditions and limited flexibility. The structure of geriatric rehabilitation has been developed to emphasize patient-centred, multidisciplinary approaches. Follow-up care and prevention strategies focus on home rehabilitation, the implementation of e-health, and support for informal caregivers. No articles focused specifically on preparedness, and a limited number of studies mentioned the use of resources for geriatric rehabilitation.ConclusionsActions are taken in line with health policies aiming to meet the future care needs of older adults in the Netherlands. However, the actions seem to be fragmented, and an understanding of resource use and needs seems to be lacking. There is a clear need for ongoing adaptations and developments in healthcare policy and practice to meet the needs of an aging population and ensure equitable access to rehabilitation services in the Netherlands. The readiness of geriatric rehabilitation in the Netherlands for the growing population of older adults is not discussed in the included articles. Addressing preparedness and the sustainability of geriatric rehabilitation could provide important insights for ensuring good care for older adults in the Netherlands.

Социально-экономическое развитие ресурсных регионов Крайнего Северо-Востока России: демографический и инфраструктурный потенциал (на примере Магаданской области)

The relevance of the study is related to the currently unresolved issues of providing the population in the regions of Russia's Far North-East with the household infrastructure. The work assesses the demographic potential of Magadan Oblast analyzes the housing availability for its population. Neither quantitatively nor qualitatively can the regional domestic infrastructure presently form a high standard of living, which is vital to ensure the inflow of highly qualified labour resources to the Far North. The formation of the up-to-date living environment in such regions as Magadan Oblast should take into account both the specifics of the northern resource economy and the present-day demographic and spatial transformations.

A global analysis of adaptation to societal aging across low-, middle- and high-income countries using the Global Aging Society Index.

We have previously presented a multidimensional Aging Society Index, a weighted summation of five domains central to successful adaptation to societal aging: well-being, productivity and engagement, equity, cohesion and security, as a tool to assess countries' adaptation to demographic transformation. As the index was based on data from developed countries and some of the individual metrics or weightings may not be well suited for application to low- and middle-income countries, we here present the scores on a modified index (Global Aging Society Index) on 143 countries distributed across the span of economic development. Only 5 out of 143 (3.5%) countries had higher scores for women than men. Countries with the most notable gender differences were primarily low-income countries. The multidimensional index permits cross-national comparisons and may facilitate the identification of targets for developing policies and programs to enhance the likelihood that older persons will age successfully.

The structural transformation of Ollantaytambo's Inka ecology under Spanish rule

At Ollantaytambo, in the Cusco region of Peru, the Inka (c. AD 1400–1532) built an elaborate anthropogenic landscape to facilitate intensive agriculture. After the 1532 Spanish invasion of the region, this landscape was reshaped by the introduction of new plants and animals, colonial land-management practices and demographic transformations. Here, the author employs botanical data from a derelict Inka-era reservoir to evaluate the timing and character of colonial transformations to the local agroecology. These transformations, they argue, tended towards agricultural deintensification, but this process did not begin until decades after the Spanish invasion.

Overcoming the crisis: Social and ecological impacts of the 17th and 18th century Northern Wars on Kazuń village (Poland) and its surrounding area

The wars that ravaged the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 17th century were among the most destructive events in the history of that part of Europe at the time. It is said that from this point on, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth transitioned from a subject to an object state. Through interdisciplinary research involving the analysis of written, cartographic, and paleoecological data, we aim to demonstrate how the exit from this major crisis looked over a nearly 150-year perspective. In this article, we present observations describing economic, social, and demographic transformations, while also focusing on landscape and ecological issues. By analyzing the surroundings of the village of Kazuń (located today in central Poland), we highlight the emergence of a new type of settlement (the so-called olędrzy) in river valleys, which in the 18th century became an important element of a new wave of settlement and restoration.

Youth Unemployment in Bhutan: A Meta- Analysis of the Lessons and Perspectives

Unemployment is an economic issue worldwide. Bhutan is no exception; particularly during and after the Covid-19 pandemic the unemployment figures, particularly, youth unemployment rates in Bhutan were surprising. Despite efforts, the issue still looks elusive and wavering with no major reduction in national unemployment figures. To this end, a comprehension of the underlying issue, the nature of the Bhutanese labour market and an understanding contributing factors are essential. In addition, evaluating the government plans and policies is key. Thus, this study has attempted to analyse the data over the past 10 years, of relevant sources such as labour force surveys, policy documents of the Royal Government of Bhutan, and other related studies. The findings are presented as tables, graphs and descriptive statistics and discussed and concluded accordingly. The study identifies three critical elements referred to as the ‘employment triangle’ that significantly influence labour market dynamics in Bhutan. Moreover, they are demographic transformation, work attitudes and educational deficits. Precisely, youth unemployment in Bhutan is influenced by factors, such as demographic transformation (job security, employee protection, absence of employment-rich economy), work attitude (conventional job choice and preference patterns, negative role of society) and educational deficit (skills mismatch, inadequate national HRD planning and support, lack of skills development or school to work transition initiatives).

Examining the Influence of Socio-Economic and Demographic Transformation on Employment In the Informal Sector From 2017 To 2020

This study explored the impact of socio-demographic changes on informal sector employment in South Africa from 2017 to 2020. Utilizing data from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), descriptive statistics and logistic regression were employed to analyze relationships between age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, and education within the informal workforce. The results revealed significant shifts in employment patterns, particularly affecting youth and marginalized groups. The findings emphasize the vital role of socio-demographic factors in shaping the informal sector and highlight the need for targeted policies to support vulnerable populations and improve their economic opportunities in a fluctuating labor market.

Uneven and divergent spatial figurations: A five-pronged typology of urban and peri-urban formations in Romania

This paper introduces a five-pronged typology to conceptualize the variegated and dynamic spatial figurations of urban and peri-urban areas in Romania, addressing a gap in the current literature on planetary urbanization by elucidating the differentiation between and within peri-urban spaces. Through analyses incorporating principal components, cluster analyses, association and analysis of variance this study delineates the distinctive patterns of demographic, economic, and spatial transformations across Romania's urban landscape. The typology not only highlights the complexities of peri-urban development, but also provides a critical framework for examining the socio-economic forces shaping these areas. We show that peri-urban spaces exhibit considerable heterogeneity; their processes of formation, dynamics, relationships with core cities, and trajectories vary significantly and are contingent upon specific contexts. This is what we synthetically call uneven and divergent spatial figurations that peri-urban development produces. We enlarge the “spatial figuration” framework that springs from the Lefebvrian trialectic of spatial production to challenge the urban-rural dichotomies and highlight the inter-scalar dynamics of change in the discontinuous and historically rooted peri-urban areas. The text contributes to emergent scholarship in the field that has shifted focus from examining the emergence of peri-urban spaces to addressing the diverse typologies of these spatial formations and their internal variation.

Digital competency among the aged entrepreneurs under the silver economy with soft power in Thailand

The rise of the elderly in Thailand experiencing a significant demographic transformation resulted in a growing senior population to become a super-aged society by 2030. This affacted the demand for “silver economy in Thailand. The objectives are to study (1) the overview of digital competency among the aged entrepreneurs under the silver economy with soft power; and (2) the mechanism for digital competency empowerment among the aged entrepreneurs under the silver economy with soft power in Thailand. Mixed-research method was employed by quantitative (survey questionnaire) and qualitative (Focus group discussion and interview) with a total of 100 samples and 15 key informants involved: the government workers, the aged entrepreneurs, the private & industrial workers, the digital competency expertise, the elderly expertise, and the community leaders. Two main results reflected the objectives accordingly: 1) the overview of digital competency summarized from survey questionnaire found most of the positive factors as follow; 1.1) positive attitude toward digital competency even of their quite low educational background; 1.2) their positive practical existing skilled in digital competency : digital communication, digital media production, privacy, security, analytic thinking skills that can be well applied with their silver economy’s activities. 2) the mechanism for digital competency empowerment among the aged entrepreneurs found most urgent needs in more closed collaboration among all relevant sectors, starting from the lead government sector, private sector, and the local sectors to help expanding all kinds of empowerment activities. Deepen links by driving more inter-sectoral mechanism, resources sharing, regular consultation for internship, apprenticeship, on-site training, employment, market outlet and other schemes with equity, quality and sustainable practices.

Unveiling Kerala’s Distinct Urbanisation: A Comparative Analysis within India

Urbanisation is a pivotal demographic transformation that characterised the twentieth century, serving as a crucial indicator of modernisation intimately intertwined with economic growth and development. Significantly, in its journey as a developing nation, India is witnessing a rapid surge in urbanisation, a trend that surpassed expectations, as evidenced by the 2011 Census. The surge in India’s urban population is primarily attributed to a combination of net rural–urban reclassification and rural-to-urban migration. It is essential to recognise the distinctive nature of Kerala in this context, as the state diverges significantly from the patterns observed in other regions. The urbanisation unfolding in Kerala is not confined solely to designated towns and cities; instead, the entire state portrays a nuanced urban–rural continuum. In this study, an exploration is undertaken to dissect the trends and patterns of urbanisation in Kerala, delving into its unique characteristics and associated challenges based on data provided by the Census of India. Regression analysis is used to determine the factors that contribute to Kerala’s urbanisation, which shows that urbanisation process is influenced by a complex interplay of financial, economic and demographic factors. Over the decade, banking has become a crucial driver of urbanisation, highlighting its growing role in supporting urban growth and development. In contrast, the significance of investment in small-scale industries/micro, small and medium enterprises has diminished by 2011, suggesting shifts in the economic landscape and pointing to the rising importance of services and remittances as sources of urban expansion. Household dynamics, consistently significant in both years, emphasise the critical role of population changes and family structures in shaping urbanisation trends. Despite the continuous rise in urbanisation rates, there persists a noticeable sluggishness in development, especially regarding the provision of essential amenities. This aspect necessitates focused policy attention to address the challenges accompanying Kerala’s evolving urban landscape. JEL Codes: O18, R23, R12

Metropolization process in the rural settlement system of the Central Chernozem region of Russia

The Central Chernozem region of Russia has undergone significant changes in socio-demographic processes over the past half-century. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of metropolization on the demographic transformation of sparsely populated rural settlements for the Central Chernozem region and to develop a demographic forecast for 2030. The study’s goals were to (1) determine the scale of regional metropolises; (2) identify the impact of metropolization on the quantitative indicators of sparsely populated rural settlements; (3) establish trends in their transformation; and (4) compile a medium-term demographic forecast for the Central Chernozem region. The set objectives were achieved by integrating methods for spatial-temporal and comparative geographical analysis, statistical methods, and a combination of official statistics with sociological methods. Analysis of the level of urbanization of the regions in modern conditions (20th and 21st centuries) showed that, although this process was and remained below the national average, it did not prevent the formation of regional metropolises (Belgorod, Stary Oskol, Kursk, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Tambov) as an obvious outcome of urbanization processes. A regional pattern of degradation of the network of rural settlements, mainly the smallest and small in terms of population (1-25, 26-50 people), which make up over one third of all settlements in the Central Chernozem region of Russia, was determined. A stable long-term trend of growth in the number of abandoned villages and hamlets was established. Between the last two All-Russian population censuses (11 years), their number increased by 45%. The forecasting results obtained confirm the established patterns in the medium-term trend of “compression” of rural settlement around regional metropolis (with some exceptions). The medium-term demographic forecast showed that population concentration in metropolitan areas and further socio-demographic desertification in peripheral areas will continue with growing territorial differentiation. The obtained results of the study of the transformation of settlement systems of the Central Chernozem region as a result of the metropolization of regional centers can help government institutions in strategic planning of territorial development.

Geopolitical Aspects of Demographic Processes: Development of Scientific Ideas of L. L. Rybakovsky

Demographic processes play a key role in the formation of the geopolitical picture of the world. Population size, its age structure, growth rates and migration flows have a significant impact on the economic power of states, their military potential and their ability to project power in the international arena. This article examines contemporary and historical views on the significance of demographic factors in the geopolitical competition of countries and the measurement of a state's national power. The study covers both contemporary and historical aspects of the issue. The paper provides a systematic review of the evolution of scientific views on the significance of demographic factors in the geopolitical context. Particular attention is paid to modern methodological approaches to measuring the national power of a state considering demographic indicators. The article offers a critical analysis of existing models for assessing geopolitical influence based on demographic factors and considers their applicability in the context of global demographic transformations. The study also addresses topical issues of the impact of demographic trends on the geopolitical strategies of states in the 21st century, including the problems of population aging, migration processes and demographic imbalances between developed and developing countries. Special attention is paid to the analysis of geopolitical aspects of demographic processes in the works of the outstanding Russian demographer L.L.Rybakovsky. The paper considers the key concepts of the scientist, including demographic security, the geopolitical significance of migration processes, the relationship between demography and spatial development of Russia, as well as the role of demographic policy as an instrument of geopolitical influence.

Addressing Rural Decline: China’s Practices in Rural Transformation and Farmers’ Income Growth

In the context of global rural decline, fostering endogenous momentum through rural transformation to increase farmers’ incomes is a challenge that nations worldwide must address. This study utilizes the 2022 “China Rural Micro-Economic Data” to construct a multidimensional rural transformation index system at the village level, encompassing demographic, land, industrial, social, digital, and ecological transformations. This study evaluates the levels of rural transformation across 15 surveyed provinces in China. Furthermore, it empirically examines the impact of rural transformation on farmers’ incomes, the underlying mechanisms, and the heterogeneity of different transformation models. The findings are as follows: (1) Coastal economically developed regions exhibit higher levels of rural transformation, while inland agricultural provinces show significant lag; (2) Rural transformation effectively promotes the upgrading of agricultural value chains, increases farmers’ market participation, and enhances their access to financial services, thereby boosting farmers’ incomes; and (3) The impact of different transformation models on farmers’ incomes varies significantly; industrial, social, and demographic transformations contribute most prominently to income growth. While digital transformation shows some positive effects, it remains relatively limited. Land and ecological transformations have yet to demonstrate a significant positive impact on farmers’ incomes.

Embrace the Past and Forge Ahead: The China Report on the 30th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)

Since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994, global initiatives like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have evolved from simple population control to a comprehensive focus on human rights, social justice, and sustainable development, emphasizing social equity, gender equality, sustainability, and global cooperation. This paper reviews China’s response to these initiatives, focusing on the ICPD Program of Action and SDGs, and assesses how its demographic transformation over the past 30 years has influenced global population trends and other development areas. We find that China has actively embraced these global principles, integrating them into its national strategy through improved fertility policies, population structure optimization, and addressing population aging. These measures have significantly reshaped China’s demographic landscape and impacted global population dynamics. The paper also highlights China’s substantial progress in health and well-being, life expectancy, gender equality, social equity, and climate action. To address its rapid population aging, China has developed robust social security systems, particularly in pensions and health insurance. China’s experience in urbanization and economic growth has provided valuable insights for global development. Additionally, China's efforts have advanced education, improved women's rights, and supported disadvantaged groups, contributing to the undertaking of global sustainable development. We conclude that China's efforts in implementing international action plans since the ICPD have laid a strong foundation for achieving global SDGs, that China has become a role model for the international community in the domain of population and development, and that China will continuously contribute significantly to global development agendas in the years to come.

Descriptive Analysis and Evaluation of Age-Friendly Environment Studies in Turkiye

The need to create inclusive and sustainable environments that enhance the well-being of the older people and compensate for social and physical barriers in order to adapt to the effects of demographic transformation and rapid urban aging has emerged. This need gained momentum with the guidance of the WHO's Age-Friendly Cities initiative in the early 2000s. These global developments have also influenced studies in Turkey. This study examines the perspectives and approaches to the topic of 'age-friendly environment’ in scientific circles and academia in Turkey in order to answer the question: How is the concept of 'age-friendly environment’ studied in Turkey? Scientific studies related to age-friendly environments in Turkey conducted between 2014 and 2023 were analyzed using descriptive content analysis method. The findings of the study indicate that the majority of studies in Turkey consist of articles (54.3%) and theses (30.9%), with methodological distribution being mostly limited to qualitative studies (38.2%) and review studies (32.2%). Furthermore, thematically, concepts such as 'age-friendly city, aging in place, age-friendly environment, age-friendly design, active aging’ are frequently studied, while themes commonly discussed in the international agenda such as inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability, and the right to the city are relatively underrepresented. On the other hand, it is observed that the majority of studies lack an environmental gerontology perspective.

Stretching the social protection system beyond capacity: tensions between governance capacity and conceptualisations of elder care in nursing homes in Indonesia

PurposeAgeing is a global concern that poses many challenges for governments, particularly in relation to the pressing issue of how to provide adequate social protection for the increasing number of elderly. Alongside rapid social and demographic transformation, Indonesia is especially challenged by the increasing number of elderly in need of formal care that is stretching the capacities of government and necessitates improvements in the social protection system. This study examines governance capacity in nursing homes and offers recommendations for improving the social protection system.Design/methodology/approachThe research presents a qualitative case study of government aged care centres in East Java and the experiences of residents and staff of three centres managed by the Provincial Social Service of East Java. The case study is based on ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews with 32 informants comprising directors, managers, staff and elderly residents of nursing homes.FindingsThe research finds that while social protection is in place, governance capacities at the provincial and local level are thinly stretched. The research highlights the tensions between existent governance capacities – in terms of mobility, decision-making, implementation and established local structures of governance and management – and the inability to meet the increasing demands for government elder care services and resources amidst broader societal transformations such as shifts in cultural framing of familial care of elderly. The findings point to the importance of understanding the dynamic relationship between governance capacity and the shifting terrains of elderly care due to societal transformation.Originality/valueThe research brings attention to the pivotal role that governance capacity plays in shaping the experiences and challenges of local government level elder care provision and the growing need for elder care in the face of an ageing population and shifts in kinship and family elder care arrangements. Elder care is not simply about addressing basic needs but also the quality and dignity of elderly and this is not easy to address where social protection systems are stretched beyond capacity. Recommendations are provided for enhancing government policy and expanding the scope for building cross-sectorial partnerships.

Unveiling the Global Economic Impacts from Demographic Change in East Asia: An Estimation and Web Explores

This paper explores the economic consequences of demographic changes on development in 208 countries through 2100. We employ panel fixed effects models to estimate long-run equilibrium relationships between capital stock, labor force, and economic growth. Cointegration analysis confirms the existence of these long-run relationships. We affirm that there is a steady, long-run relationship between GDP, capital stock, and population. We also present our findings in an interactive web application, allowing users to explore how population shifts might impact economies worldwide. Highlighting key trends, we offer an illustrative case study of East Asia, while emphasizing the tool's universal applicability. Thus, this work does not seek to engage in specific academic discourse, but rather endeavors to contribute a valuable resource for informed public dialogue concerning the global economic implications of anticipated demographic transformations. The results show that the "Comparative Global Weights Forecasts" section showcases economic clout, illustrating Japan's decline and Indonesia's rise in global GDP rankings. Lastly, the "Comparative Regional Forecasts" section contrasts regional dynamics, such as East Asia & the Pacific versus South Asia, highlighting population peaks, economic growth disparities, and shifts in global GDP shares.

Intergenerational Solidarity During Emerging Adulthood: Associations with Psychological Distress and Satisfaction with Life in Southern Europe.

Intergenerational solidarity between parents and emerging adult offspring requires more substantial attention at the present time. Changing demographic structures and transformations in family dynamics over recent decades have increased both opportunities and the need for parent-child interactions and exchanges of support and affection during emerging adulthood. The study had two aims: first, to explore patterns in intergenerational solidarity in accordance with different sociodemographic characteristics of emerging adults; and second, to analyse associations between intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults' psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Participants were 644 emerging adult university students from Southern Europe (Spain and Portugal), aged between 18 and 29 years, who completed a self-report questionnaire designed to assess variables linked to sociodemographic aspects (gender, country of residence, sexual orientation, living status, family income), intergenerational solidarity, psychological distress and satisfaction with life. The results indicated some differences in intergenerational solidarity patterns in accordance with a range of sociodemographic characteristics. They also revealed significant associations between intergenerational solidarity dimensions and emerging adults' satisfaction with life and psychological distress. Moreover, affective solidarity was found to fully mediate the relationship between associational, functional and normative solidarity and emerging adults' adjustment. In the case of conflictual solidarity, affective solidarity was found to partially mediate the relationship between this dimension of intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults' distress and to fully mediate the relationship between this same dimension and emerging adults' satisfaction with life. The results indicate that it is important to take sociodemographic diversity into account when exploring relationships between emerging adults and their parents. They also suggest that affective solidarity acts as a protective factor in promoting emerging adults' adjustment.

Environmental Constraints and Human Agency in Early Medieval Village Formation: A Geoarchaeological Approach in the Western Pyrenees (Navarre, Spain)

ABSTRACT The interaction between human agency and environmental factors is a key topic in the archaeological study of early medieval village formation. Such interactions are particularly visible in the construction and maintenance of agrarian landscapes, which often become central to the local socio-economic development. This article explores these processes in a local context of the western Pyrenees (Navarre, Spain) through a combined analysis of documentary sources, toponymy, field survey, and core sampling for geochemical analysis. The foundations of the local landscape were laid down in the Early Middle Ages, closely related to the establishment of a village settlement and the collective appropriation of agrarian resources. The local geological and soil features, marked by the presence of thick and soft, mineral nutrient-rich soils derived from the weathered volcanic rock substrate, permitted the construction and maintenance of a terraced field system. This fact has been key for later landscape evolution at the local and regional scales, including the formation of a supra-local valley community during the Late Middle Ages, or the deep agrarian and demographic transformations that followed the introduction of New World crops during the Early Modern period.

Permanent areas and changes in forests, grasslands, and wetlands in the North European Plain since the eighteenth century—a case study of the Kościan Plain in Poland

This study investigates the intricate and enduring interplay of historical events, human activities, and natural processes shaping the landscape of North European Plain in western Poland over 230 years. Topographic maps serve as reliable historical data sources to quantify changes in forest, grassland, and wetland areas, scrutinizing their fragmentation and persistence. The primary objectives are to identify the permanent areas of the landscape and propose a universal cartographic visualization method for effectively mapping these changes. Using topographic maps and historical data, this research quantifies land cover changes, especially in forest, grassland, and wetland areas. With the help of retrogressive method we process raster historical data into vector-based information. Over time, wetlands experienced a substantial reduction, particularly in 1960–1982, attributed to both land reclamation and environmental factors. Grassland areas fluctuated, influenced by wetland and drier habitat dynamics. Fragmentation in grassland areas poses biodiversity and ecosystem health concerns, whereas forested areas showed limited fluctuations, with wetland forests nearly disappearing. These findings highlight wetland ecosystems’ sensitivity to human impacts and emphasize the need to balance conservation and sustainable development to preserve ecological integrity. This study advances landscape dynamics understanding, providing insights into historical, demographic, economic, and environmental transformations. It underscores the imperative for sustainable land management and conservation efforts to mitigate human impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity in the North European Plain.