The Institute of Demography of NRU HSE (IDEM) was established in February 2007. The history of the Institute as a research center actually began almost 20 years earlier, in 1988, within the walls of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. The immediate predecessor of IDEM NRU HSE was the Center of Demography and Human Ecology of the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences. IDEM is a scientific and educational institution. The Institute’s goals: the conduct of fundamental scientific research, the improvement of its methodology, and the training of scientific personnel. Simultaneously with the formation of the Institute in 2007, the interfaculty Department of Demography was set up within it, and in 2009 the Scientific-Educational Laboratory on Socio-Demographic Policy was opened. A master’s program on demography is being run within the Institute.
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Career prospects in Russia prove to be more important for African students than climate, language barriers, or everyday difficulties. HSE researchers came to this conclusion after analysing survey results from students representing 28 countries across the continent. The key factor influencing their decision is the opportunity to start working while still studying.
Forbes has published its eighth annual ranking of the best Russian higher education institutions. HSE University took first place. Its leadership was secured, among other factors, by strong support from employers and high performance in the Academic Environment metric.
After graduating from the Vishnevsky Institute of Demography at HSE University, Asem Aldangarkyzy worked at the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Now she is an employee of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Asem Aldangarkyzy gave an interview in which she shared details about choosing a master's programme, the educational process at HSE University, and her academic and professional activities.
In the issue: Vadim Radaev «Do younger generations postpone their transition to adulthood, and how does it manifest»; Mikhail Maksimov «Cohort effect in mortality in Russian regions: economic losses»; Sergey Timonin, Egor Sergeev, Alexey Shchur, Anton Barchuk, Olga Kobyakova «Age standardization of medical and demographic indicators and a Russian standard population»; Vadim Ustyuzhanin «demor: R package for basic and advanced methods of demographic analysis»; Daniil Sitkevich, Ekaterina Mitrofanova «Labor migration from Daghestan: organizational forms and perspectives (a qualitative sociological study)»; Vlas Ryazanov «Socio-demographic features of traditional communities with outpacing population growth rates: two parishes in Kalyazin region in 1760-1862»; Dmitry Bogoyavlensky «Disasters in demographic statistics, or how I learned about the tsunami. An essay by a demographer and archivist»; Shamil Farakhutdinov, Lamara Mekhrishvili «The institute of family in post–industrial society».
Stephen Sodoke, a graduate of the «Population and Development» program, has published his first research article in the journal Energy Research and Social Science, a leading global journal in energy policy and sustainable development.
On November 12–13, 2025, the HSE University hosted the conference “The Second Demographic Readings in Memory of Anatoly Vishnevsky: The Theory of Demographic Transition and the Future of the Population of Russia and the World,” timed to coincide with the 90th birthday of the outstanding Russian demographer Anatoly Vishnevsky.
In total, almost 600 members of staff were named Best Teachers
Russians with children feel happier than those without children. At the same time, the number of children influences the assessment of happiness: the more children Russians have, the happier they feel. These conclusions were outlined inthe report ‘More Children, More Happiness: The Impact of the Number of Children on Russians’ Assessment of Happiness,’ presented at the XXV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development, held on April 15–18 at HSE University. The study was conducted by Elena Churilova, Senior Research Fellow, and Dmitry Jdanov, Chief Research Fellowat HSE International Laboratory for Population and Health.
The number of applications has nearly doubled: as of today, more than 2,600 applications have been submitted for undergraduate programmes, and more than 2,400 for master's programmes. This increased interest from international applicants in studying at HSE confirms the university's status as one of the most sought-after Russian universities abroad.
In the issue: The intensity of fertility decline is increasing worldwide: Is a low fertility trap increasingly likely? «The Russian paradox»: high education/low human capital. Geographic proximity of relatives and relocations of older adults: A study based on population registers in Norway and Sweden. Internet use by people with disabilities: an analysis of purposes and specific features. What determines the migration intentions of city dwellers: results of surveys conducted in 10 regions of Russia in 2018-2023. Migration potential of the Kaliningrad region: migration sentiments and intentions of residents of the exclave. Inter-ethnic differences in the probability of first and second births in low fertility conditions (as exemplified by Kabardino-Balkaria and the Stavropol region). Discussion of the idea of creating the Institute of Demography of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1944.