POPJUS researchers contributed with their pioneering work on new measures of aging, healthy life expectancy, and a well-being indicator to measure the quality of life to the Fact Sheet Longevity, Health, Well-being recently published by Wittgenstein Centre.
Demographic developments in Europe today are characterized by aging populations.Fewer children are being born and at the same time people are living longer. However, this demographic change does not necessarily mean more problems. The consequences of this process depend strongly on people’s health status. According to the World Health Organization, health is central to the happiness and well-being of people and crucial for economic progress, since healthy populations live longer and are more productive. Improving the health of a population is therefore one of the most important and effective ways to cope with the challenges of aging societies.
News
16 June 2026
Peking University and IIASA advance plans for a new Centre on Global Change and Health
On 28 May, Peking University (PKU) and IIASA held a joint online seminar to discuss health research under global change and to review the progress, priorities, and coordination arrangements for a proposed Centre on Global Change and Health.
10 June 2026
Annual global migration has nearly tripled since 2000
Global migration has risen sharply from approximately 13 million people per year in 2000 to around 35 million people per year in 2023. This is according to a new dataset on human migration published in Nature by researchers from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), IIASA, and the University of Hong Kong.
09 June 2026
Life after work: Why social connections matter
Social networks may help protect cognitive functioning in later life, particularly among older adults who are no longer working, according to a new IIASA-led study. Drawing on data from 27 European countries, the researchers found that social connections can help compensate for the loss of mentally stimulating interactions linked to work, with different types of relationships benefiting women and men.