What You Need to Know About the 2010 U.S. Census
With one year to go before the 2010 U.S. Census, what measures are being taken to ensure that Americans participate? How will technology such as handheld GPS systems be used to gather data? Why is the census so important to foundations and nonprofits? What interests and concerns does Congress have? These questions and others were addressed at a policy seminar at PRB on the preparation, challenges, and opportunities of the upcoming census. The seminar also provided a platform for the launch of PRB's Census 2010 coverage. (April 2009)

Changes in Fertility Rates Among Muslims in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
The number of Muslims worldwide is projected to grow over the next decade to reach one-quarter of the world's population, largely because of higher fertility among Muslim populations. Yet, it is simplistic to argue that there is a specifically Islamic pattern of fertility due solely to religious influence, says Mehtab Karim, a senior research adviser and senior fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion and World Affairs. Karim visited PRB as part of its ongoing Policy Seminar series and presented findings based on the latest Demographic and Health Survey data from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. (April 2009)

PRB Discuss Online: Are Some U.S. Generations Luckier Than Others?
Unique events, political climates, and social and economic conditions shape each new generation in every society. In his new book (The Lucky Few) and a recent Population Bulletin, "20th Century U.S. Generations," sociologist Elwood Carlson examines shared experiences influencing recent U.S. generations, including the Lucky Few (born 1929-1945), Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Generation X (born 1965-1982), New Boomers (born 1983-2001), and others. Professor Carlson answered participants questions about why different generations of Americans experienced such different childhood family contexts, educational outcomes, marriages and family lives, military service, career paths, and retirement. What key factors are likely to determine the collective identity of Americans being born today? Read a transcript of the questions and answers. (March 2009)

Change Comes Slowly for Religious Diversity in India
Although Hinduism has dominated the region for centuries, India has no official religion and has large and influential religious communities of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and others. They differ on such social and economic characteristics as sex ratios, women in the labor force, and urban/rural residence. These communities are growing at different rates primarily because birth rates are higher among some groups (especially Muslims) than others. But fears that Hindus will lose their majority status in India are unfounded. (March 2009)

20th-Century U.S. Generations

Members of each generation live through unique times shaped by unexpected historical events, changing political climates, and evolving socioeconomic conditions. A generational perspective offers fresh insights into contemporary society by emphasizing both the distinctiveness of each generation in its particular historical context and the persistence of such distinctions across an individual’s life. This Population Bulletin highlights contrasting American generations of the 20th century, showing how each one influenced and reacted to the social and economic landscape over which we all must travel. (BUL64.1; March 2009)

Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Rwanda
The last decade in Rwanda's history has been one of transition and rebirth. Ten years ago, the country was emerging from several years of strife and civil conflict; in 2009, urban and rural areas are energized with the promise of steadily improving economic, social, and health conditions. Despite this impressive transformation, Rwanda faces various challenges, many related to the complex relationships between population trends, poverty, and environmental conditions. Continued improvement in the quality of life of Rwanda's citizens depends in large part on finding innovative and integrated solutions to complex population, health, and environment problems. (February 2009)

The Fred H. Bixby Forum: The World in 2050
The Fred H. Bixby Forum, "The World in 2050: A Scientific Investigation of the Impact of Global Population Changes on a Divided Planet," was held at the University of California, Berkeley, in January 2009. The forum focused on the impact of population growth and population decline on economic and social development, on resources, and on broad national and international issues such as energy use, environmental degradation and conflict. All presentations and discussions are webcast. (February 2009)

The World in 2050: A Scientific Investigation of the Impact of Global Population Changes on a Divided Planet (Day 1 Presentations)
The Fred H. Bixby Forum, "The World in 2050: A Scientific Investigation of the Impact of Global Population Changes on a Divided Planet," was held at the University of California, Berkeley, on Jan. 23 and 24, 2009. The forum focused on the impact of population growth and population decline on economic and social development, on resources, and on broad national and international issues such as energy use, environmental degradation and conflict. All presentations and discussions from Day 1 (and Day 2) are webcast. (February 2009)

Brazil's Fertility Falls Below Two-Child Average
Recent population estimates from Brazil's national statistical office (IBGE) peg the national fertility rate at just 1.9 lifetime children per woman in 2007, lower than previous rates estimated by the UN, the U.S. Census Bureau, PRB, and other international organizations that estimate population measures. Notably, this new estimate is below the long-term replacement fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman—and below the 2.1 estimated for the United States in 2007. (February 2009)

The World in 2050: A Scientific Investigation of the Impact of Global Population Changes on a Divided Planet (Day 2 Presentions)
The Fred H. Bixby Forum, "The World in 2050: A Scientific Investigation of the Impact of Global Population Changes on a Divided Planet," was held at the University of California, Berkeley, in January 2009. The forum focused on the impact of population growth and population decline on economic and social development, on resources, and on broad national and international issues such as energy use, environmental degradation and conflict. All presentations and discussions from Day 1 and Day 2 are webcast. (February 2009)