Conference Agenda

This study is the first to examine the labor market impact of compulsory military service (CMS) on Italian men from a life-course perspective. It explores whether conscripts faced greater obstacles in re-entering the job market compared to individuals experiencing other forms of involuntary unemployment, such as layoffs or contract terminations. While European studies often report wage penalties linked to CMS, some evidence suggests it may offer compensatory benefits for men from disadvantaged backgrounds. Using retrospective data from the Household Multipurpose Survey (FSS 2003, 2009, 2016), we analyze a sample of 6,867 men aged 18 to 46 who experienced their first career interruption between 1946 and 2005, spanning the period from the post-WWII era to CMS's abolition. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and piecewise-constant hazard models are employed to compare employment re-entry rates of conscripts to those with other career breaks. The results reveal that men with CMS experience initially re-entered employment more slowly, but this difference disappeared after adjusting for age at interruption. This study provides a unique historical perspective on the labor market consequences of CMS in an under-researched national context.

Effective analysis of public responses to crises may benefit from incorporating psychosocial factors that reflect different levels of risk perception. This study introduces the Risk Co-De classification system, which classifies social media posts about risk-related events into four primary risk perception categories: consciousness, justification, distancing, and denial. Using a dataset of 1,531 English tweets about climate change and Covid-19, manually annotated according to the Risk Co-De categories, we tested the classification performance of several machine learning models such as Prodigy, SVM with word embeddings, and BERT. This contribution aims to: (1) assess the effectiveness of the Risk Co-De in classifying psychosocial processes of risk perception; (2) explore its potential integration into studies examining demographic variations in crisis responses, such as geolocation and temporal analysis, to uncover patterns in risk perception; and (3) discuss implications for enhancing crisis communication strategies by understanding these psychosocial processes in combination with other variables.

The demographic and social transformations still taking place in our country today lead to profound changes in households structures: the decline in fertility, the rise in separations and divorces, the changes in lifestyles, the growing instability of couple relationships and the extension of the life expectancy, promote the spread of ever smaller and more flexible family units that move away from the traditional model.

Data from the 2021 Permanent Population Census show, compared with those of the last 2011 decennial survey, a decline in couples, with and without children, and an increase in lone mothers and fathers. Given the expanding prevalence of lone parent households, both in absolute and relative terms, the aim of the work is to investigate some demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of these nuclei in order to describe their composition and the reasons why the phenomenon is so numerically substantial. Through census data, it is possible also to carry out analysis until NUTs3 level and large cities to highlight the peculiarities of lone parent households residing in these territories.

For several years, Italy has been one of the European countries where the delay in the transition to adulthood is more pronounced. The COVID-19 pandemic further hindered the departure from the family of origin of young people.

This study examines the permanence of young adults in the family of origin through a new data source: the Population Register, covering the years 2018 to 2022. Although including a limited number of demographic structural information (but also level of education and citizenship), the registry-based approach can contribute to a more timely and granular understanding of the phenomenon across the territory, compared to sample survey-based studies. It also opens up new potentials through future integrations with other databases or sample surveys. However, using the Register to measure the permanence in the family of origin poses challenges. It requires information about kinship relationships within family units. To address this, we attempt to discern parent-child relationships indirectly based on individual connections to the household's reference persons.

Preliminary results show a moderate increase in the permanence in the family of origin in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly affecting certain age groups and geographical areas.

Although more than five million foreigners live in Italy today, evidence on migrants’ health and the effect of migration on health and healthcare use is limited for the country. One reason for the lack of studies is data availability and fragmentation. Our project aims to fill this gap by producing new and updated knowledge on migrants’ health, unmet needs, and access to healthcare services by providing policymakers and those who assist migrants, with a comprehensive tool (dashboard) that allows consulting data, and visualising a set of potentially critical indicators in supporting decisions and policies in the Lombardy and Marche Regions.

The project will provide a comprehensive picture of migrants’ subjective and objective health, access to healthcare services, prevention behaviour and barriers in accessing healthcare services by combining two sources of data. Administrative data allow for the comparison of Italians' and migrants’ health, while data collected by the ad hoc survey aim to enhance understanding of migrants’ subjective health, health needs, and access to healthcare services. These two data sources will be integrated to create synthetic indicators, which will be made available to policymakers through a dedicated tool for consulting and visualising the indicators.

In 2022, 189,140 marriages were celebrated in Italy. A particular aspect that characterizes our country is the so-called “wedding tourism”. Italy exerts a strong attraction for many citizens from abroad, especially from most developed countries, who choose Italy as a place of celebration of their marriages. In 2022, there were 3,754 marriages between spouses both foreign and non-resident. Net of this particular segment, the attention should be paid to the spouses resident in Italy, whose choices play a crucial role in the process of family formation. Despite the decline in marriages that has characterized the last decade, getting married in Italy is still an important step in people’s lives. In 2022, marriages with almost one spouse resident in Italy were 142,832.

This work aims to analyse a particular aspect of nuptiality: the choice of the location of the wedding celebration in Italy. The choice of the location of wedding ceremony is linked to various religious, social, climatic and economic factors. Of particular interest, then, is to understand whether the choice of the wedding location has affected the population as a whole or whether it has involved individuals with certain socio-demographic characteristics more than others.

In recent decades, the living conditions of the elderly population in Italy have improved significantly. Healthy life expectancy has increased, healthier lifestyles have become more widespread, and active participation in different spheres of life has extended into old age. However, these improvements are unevenly distributed. Certain groups, particularly those over 80 and individuals in socioeconomically disadvantaged or isolated contexts, remain vulnerable to poor health, limited social participation, and inadequate support networks.

Using a multidimensional approach, this study examines the diverse experiences of aging within the population aged 65 and older, highlighting key factors influencing quality of life.

Comparing a set of indicators calculated from the Istat multipurpose survey “Aspects of daily life”, the results show considerable improvements in health, lifestyles and proactive behaviours over the past 20 years, although gender, territorial, and educational differences persist.

Cluster analysis identifies the most vulnerable profiles, emphasizing the interplay between health, socio-demographics, and cultural participation. Furthermore, a model highlights socioeconomic status as critical determinants of frailty and isolation.

The findings underscore the need for targeted policies to mitigate inequalities and ensure dignified aging for all, focusing on structural support systems and interventions tailored to diverse elderly subgroups.

Aging is a major change in Italian society. Between 2004 and 2024, the old-age index rose sharply, reaching 199.8 people aged 65+ for every 100 aged 0–14. This study analyzes incomes and living conditions of individuals aged 65+ receiving at least one pension (target population), aiming to identify subgroups facing economic adversity, analyze income structures and levels, and assess whether target individuals are an economic opportunity or burden for their families.

Using 2023 EU-SILC data, the study compares the target population to the total Italian population. Economic adversity is assessed through the risk of poverty indicator, while income is analyzed considering total net household income. The “share” variable (constructed as the pensioner’s income proportion of total household income) measures the pensioner’s economic contribution to their household. A multinomial logistic model identifies factors affecting this contribution, considering “share” as dependent variable and individual, household, and context characteristics as covariates.

Preliminary finding highlight considerable heterogeneity within the target group in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, and living conditions. The 14,2% is at risk of poverty, value lower than the national average (18.9%): younger elderly are the least exposed (12.1%) compared to older cohorts, underscoring the impact of aging on economic vulnerability.

This study investigates the factors contributing to academic resilience among low socioeconomic status (ESCS) students in Italy, focusing on regional and school-type influences. Analyzing data from 462,374 Italian high school students in grade 13 from 2019, we integrated ESCS indicators, academic performance, and university enrollment data. Low ESCS students were defined as those in the bottom 50% of the ESCS index, and high achievement was defined as scoring above level 3 in both Italian literacy and mathematics assessments. We employed logistic regression to identify predictors of high achievement and multinomial logistic regression to assess determinants of educational choices at the end of high school. Multilevel logistic regression was used to account for school-level variability in resilience outcomes.

Findings reveal that Technical Institutes offer relatively higher chances for low ESCS students to achieve high performance compared to other school types. Regional disparities are significant: students from the North-west and North-east regions demonstrated higher odds of academic success and university enrollment than those from the South and Islands. Gender and Origin also influenced outcomes, with female and native Italian students showing higher resilience.

The emigration of college graduates abroad can be positively perceived as a temporary phase of career enhancement and skill acquisition that, upon their return, would enrich the labor force and stimulate innovation in the origin country. However, if graduates who leave do not return, it creates a gap in the domestic labor force, particularly in skill-intensive sectors critical for economic advancement. Over time, this "brain drain" effect can weaken countries’ ability to innovate, drive research, and maintain economic resilience, ultimately hindering long-term growth.

Drawing inspiration from a previous study on measuring the phenomenon of brain drain (Becker et al., 2004) through a set of traditional indicators, we assess the loss of human capital in Italy focusing on migration of young graduates and distinguish by type of graduation (bachelor, master, and doctoral degree). Compared to Becker et al. (2004), we also incorporate the return migration phenomenon, computing the brain drain as a net loss of human capital rather than emigration only. Moreover, we consider the internal brain drain effect and the compensation between international and internal loss of human capital. Finally, we compare the loss of human capital in the inner areas to that of the central areas.

Chronological age on its own is insufficient to determine people’s current stage of life, since transitions between stages are not immediate nor uniform, and depend on a broad spectrum of personal, social and contextual factors. People’s perceptions of the age at which individuals enter a new life phase will also vary and differ from societal expectations. Adulthood, in particular, encompasses a wide range of ages, from early to middle and late adulthood. Using data from the 2018 European Social Survey, this paper builds a new indicator and focuses on the discrepancy between ideal (subjective) and social (objective) ages. Unlike previous research that primarily explored tangible events like employment, marriage or parenthood, this study aims to examine subjective perceptions of age and their impact on life satisfaction. Our regression analysis yields the following results. In Northern and Eastern Europe, those who expect to enter early adulthood and middle adulthood, respectively, later than societal expectations report lower levels of life satisfaction, since they can feel behind schedule compared to their peers. In all European regions, except for Western Europe, individuals, who delay late adulthood, are more satisfied with their lives since they feel as if they were slowing down the ageing process.

Flexible working arrangements, such as schedule control, have been introduced to improve workers' well-being and work-life balance. However, flexibility stigma often undermines these benefits, where employees using such arrangements are negatively perceived by colleagues and managers. This study explores how flexible working is associated with work hours across European countries, particularly in the context of flexibility stigma. Using data from the European Social Survey and Eurobarometer Flash Survey on Work-Life Balance, the analysis considers variations by gender and parental status. Findings suggest that there is a gendered flexibility effect of men working more paid hours when having schedule control compared to women, particularly in contexts where flexibility is highly stigmatised. There is also some evidence of the effect of motherhood. Although women reduce working time when becoming parents across all working arrangements, the decline in hours is more substantial for women with schedule control. There is no difference for men. The results highlight the flexibility paradox: rather than reducing work hours, flexible arrangements may lead to increased work commitment, particularly for men. This trend exacerbates gender disparities in the workplace, as men can overcompensate for perceived flexibility stigma by working longer hours.

The geography of the distribution of foreign populations in Italy is shaped by local economic factors, such as the wealth of settlement areas, which influence migratory decisions. This study examines these dynamics by analysing the demographic and fiscal data of 7,610 Italian municipalities over the period 2001-2022. Preliminary spatio-temporal correlation analyses suggest significant interactions between the relative foreign population and the average municipal income, prompting the proposal of a multivariate ST-BSS model to deepen the understanding of these relationships. The study aims to provide insights into migration phenomena and their socio-economic implications, as a basis for more targeted territorial policies.

Spain and Italy are two countries with strong territorial imbalances and a high spatial heterogeneity of population growth and its components. The main objective of this paper is to identify, compare and quantify the demographic factors that have recently intervened in the population growth of both countries at the local scale and to analyse the geographical patterns of these components using spatial econometric techniques. To carry out this research, data from the Padrón Continuo (Spain) and the Anagrafe della popolazione residente (Italy) for the years 2011 and 2021, vital statistics and internal and international migratory movements, have been used. Growth, natural increase and net migration rates have been calculated at local level and a typology of population growth has been constructed that captures all possible growth patterns depending on the combinations of the components. The results show that both countries share similar demographic trends: natural increase is the most influential factor in population losses; while positive growth depends entirely on net migration. The demographic situation in Spain is, in general terms, more critical and heterogeneous than in Italy. It is also confirmed that growth, natural increase and net migration rates show a clear spatial dependence in both countries.

There are many cases of studies on the socio-economic deprivation of households, typically based on indicators calculated at municipal and sub-municipal level, using census data. The new permanent population census, defined by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat), has modified the supply of high spatial detail data, offering data with a different level of detail that no longer allows for the reproduction of previously proposed deprivation indicators.

In order to provide new opportunities for measuring socio-economic inequalities at the sub-municipal level, Istat is currently developing a new index of household deprivation based on the integration of census data and administrative sources (Socio-Economic Deprivation Index).

It is a composite index based on different components of deprivation (economics, labour, education, and housing), which can be calculated annually allowing analyses on both sub-municipal level and time series.

The results from the use of this index could be a useful tool for both policy makers and researchers, e.g. for using the results to design social services policies or income-support tools.

This study explores the phenomenon of chain migration among university students from Sicily to central and northern Italy. Over recent decades, such trends in mobility have been growing. Utilising data from the Italian Ministry of University and Research and focusing on first-year students from the 2014 and 2017 cohorts, this work investigates possible chain migration effects on mobility patterns, together with some other determinants. The study employs a gravity model to analyse the data, considering factors such as quality of life, university services, and the presence of social networks at the destination. Results suggest that student mobility is not only driven by economic and educational opportunities but also influenced by existing social ties, supporting the presence of chain migration. Specifically, the data reveal that students are more likely to enrol in universities where they have pre-existing connections, which facilitates their transition and integration.

Our research targets tertiary students with a migrant background, belonging to the second-generation migrants (i.e. children of at least one migrant parent, either born or brought in Italy before adolescence) or to the first-generation migrants (arrived in Italy independently from their parents, e.g. to work or study). A key question is whether the behaviors of second-generation migrants align more closely with first-generation migrants or local peers.

Recent contributions in this filed suggests that gaps between students with a migrant background and locals diminish when students are born or raised in Italy since early age. Moreover, we explore whether the top-performing students are more likely to have bonding networks (primarily co-ethnic) or bridging networks (inclusive of natives), and whether a good Italian language proficiency is essential for academic success.

On survey data taken at University of Milan-Bicocca in the academic year 2020/21, we identify multiple migrant backgrounds both among Italian citizens, either born to a mixed couple (1) or to non-Italian citizens only (2), and among non-Italian citizens, either born/grown up in Italy before adolescence (3) or arrived here from age of 14 onwards (4). As measures of academic performance we consider timely degree completion and self-assessed satisfaction with university career.

This paper examines the main four immigrant communities living in Naples, Italy, using data from the Citizen System for Community Integration (SCIC) survey, which includes unique questions on political engagement and associational involvement.

Naples, as a prominent destination city for several migrant groups in southern Italy, presents a compelling case for understanding how local context shapes immigrants’ civic and political participation.

Using regression models, we explore the relationship between various several socio-demographic variables and levels of political engagement among the different main immigrant communities, with a particular focus on the role played by social capital in influencing their diverse political participation. Our analysis sheds light on key factors influencing political engagement within these communities and contributes to ongoing debates on the role of ethnic networks and social capital in facilitating immigrants’ political participation. Findings from this study not only offer specific insights to the city of Naples, but also provide a basis for comparative studies on the civic and political integration in southern European urban contexts.

This research highlights the need for more localized data and methodologies in assessing immigrants’ political engagement, paving the way for future studies aimed at understanding cross-national differences in immigrants’ associational life and political engagement.

Italy is facing major demographic challenges due to a rapidly ageing population. Although this process affects all regions, there are territorial differences, with northern Italy showing an initially higher and then more stable level of ageing, while in the south and on the islands, ageing is constantly evolving. Immigration, especially of young immigrants, offers potential demographic compensation, increasing the young adult population and contributing to future births through immigrant fertility. However, the unbalanced geographical distribution of immigrants suggests that the impact of migration on ageing varies across territories. Using provincial data from 2002, 2012, and 2022 and applying a generalised linear mixed model, this study analyses the spatial and temporal evolution of ageing in Italian provinces, focusing on the role of international migration.

Preliminary results show that northern and central Italian provinces are attracting more immigrants, helping to balance the age structure. In contrast, in the south, where migration flows are more limited, the ageing of the population continues. These results highlight how the uneven distribution of immigrants limits the stabilising effect of immigration in some areas, underlining the importance of considering the spatial and temporal dynamics of ageing.

Migration, internal or international, can be a disruptive event in the course of life. Migration events may affect a person's educational path, career and labor market choices, as well as their marriage and fertility decisions. The potential effects of accumulated migration experiences through multiple migration events on critical life choices remain, however, underexplored. This research aims to contribute to the study of accumulated migration experiences by focusing on the relationship between the number of migration events and the marriage and fertility behavior of women. We focus on Turkey as a case study and use the detailed migration history data in the Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) in the rounds for 2008, 2013, and 2018 for our analysis, spanning fifteen years. We will first employ a descriptive analysis to draw a general picture of trajectories in life choices by different migration experiences. We will then employ propensity score matching technique to compare and analyze the critical life choices of women with and without migration experience, as well as single and multiple migration experiences. We expect our findings to contribute to our understanding of how multiple migration experiences might shape critical life choices from a ‘migration capital’ perspective.

The present study examines the perception of migrants and their integration in Latin American countries, using data from the 2020 Latinobarometro survey, supplemented by information on immigration rates and per capita GDP for 2020. The theoretical framework is based on the Group Threat Theory, which suggests that perceived threats to the dominant group's status or resources can influence attitudes towards minority groups. The methodology employed is a multilevel analysis at the national level, considering both individual and macroeconomic factors. Preliminary results indicate that the perception of migration as a threat is significantly influenced by the economic context and individual characteristics. Specifically, a more favorable economic context, measured by per capita GDP, tends to increase the perception of migrants as a threat, possibly reflecting concerns about protecting economic advantages. This finding contrasts with what we would expect according to the Group Threat Theory, which typically predicts a decrease in perceived threat as economic conditions improve. However, as immigration rates rise, this perception decreases. Among individual characteristics, age and employment status play a significant role in shaping migration perceptions. These initial findings provide valuable insights into the social and macroeconomic dynamics influencing opinions about migration in Latin America.

Violence against Children represents a challenging phenomenon to be deeply investigated due to prominent lack of data and sources and the absence of devoted sample surveys.

This study explores the under-reporting of violence against children in Italy in 2023 through the analysis of police reports filed before calls to the 1522 helpline. Our focus is on violence against children, including cases where they are witnesses to such violence, in light of the remarkable psychological and developmental consequences implied by the circumstances. The work is carried out in cooperation with ISTAT within the framework of the European Project DORA (Data integratiOn for acknowledging Risks And protecting children from violence).

We treat cases where complaints were canceled as non-reported, framing the issue as a binary classification problem and implementing logistic regression on the probability of report.

In addition to logistic regression, we explored alternative methods to address the imbalance in the response variable and we focus on reported cases to avoid oversimplification. Additionally, we explore reasons for non-reporting to understand barriers and improve support systems.

Romantic partnerships trajectories over time can be modeled by means of multistate models. Individuals move between states such as dating, cohabiting, marriage and union dissolution in non-random ways, usually determined by some observable and non-observable characteristics.

Data-driven approaches, such as statistical boosting, can help shedding light on the heterogeneity of these processes and identifying the best predictors of such transitions. Additionally, building a correct multistate model involves a series of non-trivial modelling decisions which can be automated in a data-driven way. Here, we combine statistical boosting algorithms with multistate models to study partnership trajectories in Germany and to identify the best predictors of transitions between states in a relationship.

The Italian Generations and Gender Survey, Round II (GGS-II), supported by the Fostering Open Science in Social Science Research (FOSSR) project and launched in 2024, regards a representative sample of 12,500 individuals aged 18-59, along with an additional 3,500 respondents aged 60-79, funded by the Age-It – Ageing Well in an Ageing Society project. The Italian GGS-II survey addresses key topics outlined in the core questionnaire, including fertility dynamics, family structure, intergenerational relationships, and gender roles, ensuring international comparability, but also includes unique modifications, notably the addition of fertility intention questions directed at single men under 50. This innovation positions Italy as the first country within the GGP framework to systematically investigate male fertility intentions outside of partnered relationships, thus broadening the scope of fertility research. Further distinguishing are questions that focus on socio-economic challenges specific to Italy, such as parental leave policies, commuting patterns, transitions to adulthood, and planning for future care. The inclusion of older respondents (aged 60+) provides insights into intergenerational dynamics and long-term care planning, providing a nuanced understanding of family life and aging in contemporary Italian aging society.

European economies face growing labor shortages at both ends of the skill spectrum, increasing the need to address hiring discrimination based on gender and ethnicity. Rising demand for unskilled labor and unmet technical expertise requirements highlight the underutilization of workforce groups such as women and ethnic minorities, which represents an additional pressure on labor markets. This study systematically reviews recent factorial survey experiments—a methodology gaining traction in social sciences—to analyze hiring discrimination. Focusing on the compounded effects of gender and ethnic biases, we use a modified PICO framework to select and assess relevant studies from 2010 to 2024 in accordance with the official PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Findings reveal consistent discriminatory hiring practices, with amplified negative impacts for individuals facing both gender and ethnic biases. This review underscores the need for targeted interventions in hiring and suggests expanding factorial survey methods to better capture the complex interplay of multiple discrimination factors in employment, supporting a more equitable European labor market.

Using data from four British birth cohorts born between 1946 and 1990, we have created harmonised histories on the cohort members fertility which serves a dual purpose. First, the data will enable researchers to improve the measurement of fertility (as an outcome or as a control variable) in within cohort analyses. Second, it will facilitate cross-cohort research on fertility using these unique and rich datasets covering several generations. We have created (and will soon deposit on the UK Data Service) longitudinal datasets for each birth cohort, with data covering the full reproductive window i.e. survey sweep from when cohort members were in their early to mid-twenties until their late forties to early fifties. The harmonized variables provide summary fertility variables for each cohort member at each sweep, including whether the cohort member has had any children, number of children, the cohort member’s age at the birth of the first and last and number of boys and girls. During the presentation, we will describe the data (its characteristics, structure and how to use/access it) and, using these harmonized datasets, secular changes in fertility across generations of women and men in Britain.

Background: Socioeconomic differentials in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survival exist in high-income countries. We aim to estimate cancer-related inequalities by socioeconomic status (SES) to highlight criticalities in each cancer-related aspect.

Methods: For all Finnish residents aged 30+ years between 2000 and 2020, we linked data from the Finnish Cancer Registry and the Population Register, including cancer type, stage, and treatment, SES (education and income), among other demographic characteristics. Among those diagnosed with cancer, we ran adjusted logistic models showing odds ratios (OR) for early diagnosis and receiving specific treatments. We run adjusted Cox models, estimating mortality hazard ratios (HR). All our analyses were done for different cancer types and stages.

Finding: We found differences in cancer diagnosis, treatments, and survival. People with high SES had a higher probability of being diagnosed with early-stage cancer than people with low SES. Higher SES people were more likely to receive more radical treatments such as surgery (men, education: OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.17-1.22), with increasing likelihood at later cancer stages. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy varied by cancer types and stages by SES. Nevertheless, high SES people had consistently lower mortality compared to low SES (income, women: HR=0.78, 95%CI=0.76-0.80) across cancer types and stages.

Aging is inevitable, yet the rate at which we age remains a central question in demographic research. The pace of senescence, defined as the rate of increasing mortality with age, offers insights into the aging process across populations. Although genetics, environment, and socioeconomic factors have been studied, the extent of variation in aging rates across populations and historical contexts is still unclear. This study explores whether aging rates hold steady or vary by analyzing cohort mortality data from Denmark, France, Italy, and Sweden between 1850 and 1916.

We applied a new modeling approach that integrates the gamma-Gompertz model with penalized splines in a Bayesian framework. The gamma-Gompertz model captures age-related mortality, while penalized splines allow for flexible modeling of non-age-related mortality patterns, accommodating diverse population dynamics without predefined shapes. This framework also considers population heterogeneity, leading to more precise estimations of aging rates.

Our findings indicate that, despite minor fluctuations, aging rates remain broadly consistent across different populations and time periods. This suggests that core biological mechanisms underlying aging are resilient to external influences. These results support public health strategies for longevity and deepen the understanding of senescence stability across populations and historical periods.

Despite advances in gender equality, the division of domestic labour remains unequal, with significant consequences for individual well-being and couple relationships. This article analyses satisfaction with the division of housework among heterosexual couples in Spain and Sweden—two countries with contrasting institutional and normative contexts regarding gender equality. Drawing on harmonised data from the 2018 Spanish Fertility Survey and the 2021 Swedish Generations and Gender Survey, the study examines responses from over 12,800 individuals aged 19 to 55 living with a different-sex partner. The results reveal persistent gender differences: men report greater satisfaction with traditional arrangements, whereas women are more satisfied when the division is non-traditional. The sociocultural context proves crucial: Swedish women are the least satisfied with traditional divisions, while Spanish men exhibit high satisfaction regardless of domestic arrangements. Regression analyses confirm that the type of division is the strongest predictor of satisfaction, outweighing other factors such as employment status or educational level. This study contributes to the debate on the stalled gender revolution, highlighting that perceived satisfaction with the division of housework must be understood in relation to structural inequalities and national normative frameworks.

Fertility rates in Italy have remained remarkably low over the past three decades, raising important questions about the factors influencing individuals’ childbearing intentions. This paper aims to examine the transformations that have occurred in Italy in the past two decades by looking at the intention to have a(nother) child. Using Istat survey data from “Families and Social Subjects” conducted in 2003, 2009 and 2016 we analyse the determinants of intentions to have a first and a second child at the regional level and by distinguishing between central and peripherical areas. The findings show a decline in the intention to have a child from 2003 to 2016, which is more pronounced in the South as compared to the North, and in the peripheries as compared to the centers. Living in the peripheral areas amplifies the positive effect of first child intentions, but attenuates thelikelihood of second birth intentions. The findings highlight the need to move beyond the traditional North-South divide in the analysis of territorial differences of fertility and fertility intentions in Italy.

The complex net of human relationships, particularly within the framework of kinship networks, unfolds as a pivotal aspect of individuals' life course experiences. This study explores kinship networks, kinlessness, and their interrelationships with the presence of friends across the life course, filling gaps in the existing literature.

Using data from ISTAT's Families and Social Subjects Survey carried out in 1998 and 2016, we examine Italian kinship networks and family changes over two decades, which have been characterised by profound family changes.

We found that most Italians maintain diverse close kin networks throughout their lives, though kin availability declines in older ages, particularly for women. When kinship networks are absent, people are able to activate friendship networks on which they rely.

This study advances the understanding of kinship dynamics, laying the groundwork for future studies on the intersection of family structures and social ties.

The study examines the interplay between chronic diseases, disabilities, and social relationships on mental well-being across life stages in Spain, using data from the 2020 Spanish Survey on Disability, Personal Autonomy, and Dependency Situations. This nationally representative survey provides information on individuals with disabilities about the severity of their disabilities, any chronic disease they might have including mental health issues (anxiety and depression) as well as social interactions and accessibility/travel. We employ Structural Equation Models (SEM) to analyze the relationships between health status, social interactions, and mental well-being. Key findings reveal that individuals with severe disabilities or multiple chronic conditions experience more mental health isses, exacerbated by social isolation and difficulties in mobility. Women, older adults and individuals living alone, are disproportionately affected. The study therefore highlights the need for tailored policies to enhance mental well-being, addressing specific needs across different life stages. Recommended strategies include strengthening social support systems, improving accessibility within the home and surrounding urban environments, and advancing chronic disease management. These measures are particularly critical for vulnerable groups such as women and individuals with severe disabilities.

Global warming disproportionately affects cold regions. Populations in these areas, is less adapted to extreme heat, being more vulnerable to its effects. However, empirical evidence from these territories remains insufficient. This study aims to systematically review existing research on the direct effects of temperature on human mortality in countries with cold climates, including Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark (Greenland) and the US (Alaska).

We conducted a search of Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for articles published between 1990 and 2023. Following PRISMA guidelines, we performed a two-stage systematic review. Out of 2,617 articles, 75 were selected for in-depth analysis. Most of them focused on Sweden, Canada, and Russia, with most evidence from locations within the humid continental climate zone. None of the studies were conducted in polar climates. Further investigations are required to analyse numerical estimates of temperature-mortality associations, and to identify principal factors and confounders.

Peers constitute one of the most relevant and determining reference figures during adolescence. Different disciplines and theoretical context have addressed the role of peer effect along the life-course and, specifically, when important issues arise, as is the case for the educational choices.

In this paper, we present a literature review to identify the main research area that have analyzed the influence of peers in educational choices. We focus on i) reference group theory, as well conformity and social contrast; ii) effect of cultural capital on social support; iii) peer selection and peer socialization, and iv) the relationship between the idiosyncratic perception of reality and the external environment. In particular, we deal with these macro-dimensions analysing how they have developed over time and how peer influence studies have evolved chronologically. Furthermore, interconnections and, new approaches in the study of peer influence are explored

This paper investigates the impact of political stability on life expectancy (LE) at 65 in Eastern and Western Europe, particularly within the context of Easter Europe's post communist transition. Using data from the OECD and the Quality of Government Standard Dataset, the research examines how factors like political stability, health expenditure, and electoral systems influence life expectancy at 65 across these regions. The findings reveal a positive correlation between political stability and increased life expectancy. Stable political systems tend to foster conditions for longer life expectancy. The political fragmentation observed in Eastern Europe after the communist era led to significant disparities in LE rates between Eastern and Western Europe. This gap widened further with the advent of COVID-19, emphasizing the fragility of Eastern Europe's healthcare systems. Health expenditure emerges as a critical determinant of life expectancy. Analyzing differences in electoral systems, the study considers whether proportional systems allocate more resources to healthcare. However, findings suggest that proportional systems do not necessarly result in higher health expenditure. Notably, avoidable mortality rates remain higher in Eastern Europe, underscoring the urgent need for targeted healthcare policies. Ultimately, this research underscores that political stability is a key driver of life expectancy.

This study investigates the disproportionately high prevalence of premature (occurring before age 40) and early menopause (occurring between ages 40 and 44) in South and Southeast Asia (SA/SEA) compared to high-income countries (HICs). Previous studies, primarily focused on HICs, report prevalence rates of premature menopause at ≥1% and early menopause at 2–3%, whereas SA/SEA shows significantly higher rates of 2.7% and 4.5%, respectively. To understand this disparity, we analyze the influence of demographic and socio-economic factors in SA/SEA creatively utilizing Demographic and Health Survey data from 12 SA/SEA countries. Preliminary findings reveal striking regional differences with prevalence rates of premature and early menopause ranging from a staggering 12.2% and 14.7% in Bangladesh to the lowest 2.3% and 4.1% in the Philippines. Employing Cox proportional hazard models, we aim to identify key determinants and assess the extent to which demographic and socio-economic factors contribute to these elevated rates. Our findings will enhance global understanding of menopause in low- and middle-income countries, offering a foundation for further research and policy development to address the rising prevalence and associated health disparities of premature and early menopause in SA/SEA.

In today's world, we are overwhelmed by continuously updated information presented with the same credibility. In this age of information overload, statistical literacy is a key skill enabling citizens to critically interpret data and participate in public life. This article explores how statistics is taught in European schools, focusing on teaching strategies that make concepts easier to understand. The study examines 300 secondary schools across Europe, covering diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Through a questionnaire, the research looks at how and when statistics is introduced in curriculums, resources used, teacher training, and student assessment methods. Teacher training emerges as crucial. The study highlights technology tools like simulation software and graphing calculators for engaging, real-life applications. The Hensemberger Institute in Monza is noted for its innovative approach, combining digital resources with hands-on labs and projects, encouraging participation in competitions like the Statistics Olympiad, and using software like Excel and GeoGebra to build practical skills and motivation. The research aims to outline best practices in Europe and suggest improvements, providing schools guidance to better prepare students for global challenges and responsible citizenship.

Today, managing our lives without digital services is almost impossible. Digital culture is no longer just a new way of communicating and consuming content, and its impact is no longer limited to young people. Over the past two decades, we have witnessed the rise of virtual spaces and digital content, and today’s 15–29-year-olds are impossible to understand outside of the context of digital culture. During the past twenty years, having a computer and especially accessing the Internet has moved from being a luxury to becoming basic infrastructure. This also had a significant impact on their relationship habits and strategies. Due to the spread of the Internet, the use of dating apps has skyrocketed, fundamentally altering the way people find and interact with potential romantic partners.

In my presentation, I present findings of research carried out by the Youth Research Institute, which examined young people's online dating habits and perceptions about relationships. The rise of "situationships" and other novel kinds of online dating evidence that social media and dating applications have had a remarkable impact on the transformation of relationship forms.