As a research institute working for government departments within the framework of political consulting, the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) is an important reference for the Federal Government and the Ministries when it comes to population-related issues, whilst at the same time being an important partner for research facilities at home and abroad in the field of population studies. The BiB was established in 1973 as a federal institution and belongs to the executive agencies of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The establishment decree of the Federal Minister of the Interior of 12 February 1973 was supplemented by the decree of 28 July 1995, as well as by the new decree of 21 November 2007.
The BiB is supported in its scientific research by a Board of Trustees composed of nine researchers and nine representatives of the government departments.46 individuals are currently employed at the BiB, including 35 researchers. The Institute is managed as an administrative community with the Federal Statistical Office, and is situated in Wiesbaden, Germany.Since April 1st, 2009, Prof. Norbert F. Schneider is head of the Federal Institute for Population Research.
The Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) operates within a wide-ranging scientific field, including third party funded projects, and distributes service contracts, especially in connection with the analysis of large own surveys. The interdisciplinary team of researchers in the institute consists of sociologists, economists, demographers, geographers and other social scientists. Often, the BiB works together with international organisations bilaterally and multilaterally. As a basis for decisions of the German Government and its ministries the BiB gives advice concerning interpretations of demographic trends and analyses. Population topics are of cross-departmental importance nationally as well as internationally, for instance in the field of social security, health, migration,
family and education.
The BiB provides information and interprets demographic topics for representatives of the portfolio, members of parliament, government officials, the educational sector, the press, companies and other groups. Furthermore, the BiB publishes
articles and working papers, which are of current interest, in several own publication series. Additionally, scientific research results from external publications are made available to the public.
Demographic transition is one of the major challenges for policymakers, administrations, industry, regional and local governments as well as every individual in our society. We can assume that the demographic challenges we face will continue to increase in the near future. The consequences of population ageing and shrinkage will only become tangible to their full extent about the year 2020 when the baby boom cohorts of the later 1950s and 1960s enter retirement. The perceptible changes in the age structure will lastingly impact societal institutions as well as everyday life for both young and old. Research of the causes and consequences of demographic developments in Germany will continue to be the central scientific mission of the Federal Institute for Population Research in future. Therefore, the activities of the institute are characterised by demographic research, policy consulting and informing the public about demographic issues. The research focuses on three general topics:
family and fertility, migration and mobility and demographic change and ageing. Within these three research areas, comparative European studies as well as differential analyses of regional and socio-structural disparities take centre stage.
Last Updated on: Nov 26, 2024