Economic History: Population and Living Standards

Education facts

Code: EKHM72

<p>How does population growth affect living standards - and vice versa? This course helps you understand the long-term relationship between demographic change and economic development, using theory and data.</p><p>Population and Living Standards explores how demographic shifts - such as fertility, mortality, marriage and migration - interact with economic conditions over time. You’ll study how these relationships have shaped both developed and developing countries, using theory and empirical research.</p><p>The course begins with a broad overview of the population debate over the past 50 years, tracing its intellectual roots and key ideas. You’ll examine how population growth affects economic, social and environmental development - and how living standards influence demographic behaviour.</p><p>You’ll also explore how living standards vary across social groups, and how short-term economic fluctuations impact population dynamics. In the second part of the course, you’ll learn how to use data and econometric methods to study these complex relationships.</p><p>Whether you’re interested in development, history, or policy, this course gives you the tools to understand how people and economies shape each other.<br/></p>

Entry requirements

At least 60 credit points in either economic history, economics, history, economic and social geography, sociology or the equivalent knowledge. (Students accepted for the following master’s programmes are qualified for this course: EAETU Economic Growth, Population, and Development, EAEUT Economic Growth and Development, EAISD Innovation and Spatial Dynamics, and EAGCH International Economics with a Focus on China)

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Economic History: Population and Living Standards

  Lund University

  Lund

  Start date: 2 November 2026

  End date: 17 January 2027

  Pace of study: 50 %