Students will learn the main methods and techniques of demographic analysis and how to interpret the main social and demographic indicators, rates and indexes. Students will also be trained on how to use the most important available data sources to produce their own tables and graphs that describe relevant demographic trends and to carry out population forecasts.

The course will enable the student to analyze mortality, construct life tables and calculate the life expectancy of a population. Students will also learn how to analyze fertility and its dependency on birth control and the processes of formation and dissolution of couples. Furthermore, students will be trained on the analyses of migration and mobility. Finally, students will learn the use of basic forecasting techniques. 1. Introduction: What is demography? The beginning of demography 2. The sources of demographic information 3. Basic demographic measures (rates, odds, specific rates, etc.) 4. The Lexis diagram, population momentum and generational replacement 5. Mortality: basic measures and indicators 6. The life table: interpretation and use 7. Fertility: basic measures and indicators 8. The formation and dissolution of the couple 9. Mobility and migration 10. Demographic projections 11. Indirect methods of demographic analysis

The theoretical component is comprised of classes taught by lecturers regarding the main demographic measurement techniques and corresponds to 2 ECTS. The practical component of the course, which corresponds to 2 ECTS, requires the completion of exercises consisting on the calculation and interpretation of the main demographic indicators and equations. The individual student work that is embodied in the study of the subject, attending tutorials, query library texts and exams will correspond to 2 ECTS.