Demography at the Edge : Remote Human Populations in Developed Nations

Addressing the methodological and topical challenges facing remote demographers, this book compares and contrasts the research, methods and models, and policy applications from remote regions in developed nations. The work draws upon four examples: the far north and desert regions of Australia, the northern provinces and territories of Canada, Alaska, and the Arctic north of Scandinavia.

Addressing the methodological and topical challenges facing demographers working in remote regions, this book compares and contrasts the research, methods and models, and policy applications from peripheral regions in developed nations. With the emphasis on human populations as dynamic, adaptive, evolving systems, it explores how populations respond in different ways to changing environmental, cultural and economic conditions and how effectively they manage these change processes. Theoretical understandings and policy issues arising from demographic modelling are tackled including: competition for skilled workers; urbanisation and ruralisation; population ageing; the impacts of climate change; the life outcomes of Indigenous peoples; globalisation and international migration. Based on a strong theoretical framework around issues of heterogeneity, generational change, temporariness and the relative strength of internal and external ties, Demography at the Edge provides a common set of approaches and issues that benefit both researchers and practitioners.