The world population is estimated to rise from the current 6.7 billion people to 9.2 billion by 2050. It is estimated that by 2050, close to 90% of the world’s population will be living in what are currently termed as developing countries. This expansion in population might be unsustainable over the years as the stress on earth’s resources increases. Research examining demographic patterns of migration, fertility, mortality and studying the social and economic impact of a growing population on society, including changing demands on food and water, health and climate change, as populations expand in emerging economies, is important for planning policies and programmes. Hence research on demography and population studies on Asia are currently very important and relevant.
A workshop was organised by the India Observatory at LSE on 30th June 2009, which brought together academics from India, Japan, Korea and LSE and other UK academic institutions to discuss these issues. This programme was led by Dr Ruth Kattumuri and Professor Mike Murphy together with academics at TISS and other experts from India. Following this workshop the aim is to develop a collaborative research programme.