The last hundred years have witnessed the ongoing decline of Europe’s population and the explosion of Africa’s, major changes in migratory flows, significant variations in fertility levels across different countries and ethnic groups and the dizzying growth of large metropolises. These changes alter and sometimes disrupt relations between societies, states and regions of the world and influence political choices, with variable and often unpredictable force and speed. Past and current crises, such as the difficulties faced by governments seeking to control immigration and to manage tensions between religious and ethnic communities, now appear as the inevitable consequence of these demographic changes.

Geodemography – the study of how population dynamics influence societies, states and regions and affect the relations between them, over time and throughout the world – can help us to understand these trends. Using a broad repertoire of exemplary cases drawn from recent world history, this book demonstrates that geodemography is an invaluable tool for gaining a deeper appreciation of the changing relations between societies and states and the great challenges we face today.

“A brilliant global explanation and description of demographics past, present and future. The world authority, Livi-Bacci, unequivocally demolishes the racist fairy tales of far-right anti-immigration conspiracy theories. Geodemography is astute, witty, careful and kind, full of warnings, good advice – and hope.”
Danny Dorling, University of Oxford

“Drawing from his experience as a world-class demographer, Livi-Bacci has devised a perspective –geodemography – that allows him to tackle the variety of population developments as they impact state policies and international relations. A must-read for students of geopolitics and world history.”
Bruno Ramirez, University of Montreal

Massimo Livi-Bacci is Emeritus Professor of Demography at the University of Florence