Applied Demography in the 21st Century

The chapters in this volume have examined a large number of issues in applied demography from such major emphases in the field as population estimation and projection to the most recent data developments (e.g. the American Community Survey). The entries in this volume show the breadth and depth of the field, delineate its strengths and point to areas where there are remaining concerns, but do so as it relates to the specific issue addressed in each work.

In this last chapter we draw upon such works to identify the major characteristics of applied demography today and then examine areas of continuing challenges and opportunities. We do not claim that we have adequately covered all of the dimensions that currently define this expanding field or noted all of its challenges and opportunities. However, we believe it is appropriate to attempt to identify major trends and to raise the level of discussion of what applied demography is, and what it may become, in the 21st century. In discussing these issues we do not wish to repeat the discussions in previous works such as those by Rives and Serow (1984), Murdock and Ellis (1991), Siegel (2002), Swanson and Pol (2005) or others. Rather we wish to simply highlight those characteristics and issues that are particularly important at this point in time. We begin by discussing what we believe are the key characteristics of the field today, followed by a discussion of future challenges and opportunities.