The hottest Population Studies Substack posts right now

Behavioural polygenic scores (PGS) can show how genetic variation affects important life outcomes. It's key that these effects are meaningful for understanding social issues.
Understanding causal relationships is essential when using PGS. We need to know if the genes influence outcomes or just correlate with them.
Successful use of PGS requires good research design. Researchers should be clear about what they're measuring and ensure that genetic factors are compared to other variables correctly.

Population changes won't significantly change our climate situation because they happen too slowly compared to how quickly we need to reduce emissions.
Even with more people in the future, their overall impact on temperature rise will be very small if we focus on reducing emissions effectively.
To tackle climate change, the best approach is to decarbonize our economies rather than trying to limit population growth, which won’t solve the problem fast enough.

Genghis Khan had a complicated family dynamic, especially concerning his first son Jochi, whose paternity was often questioned. This doubt affected Jochi's legacy and his descendants in the Golden Horde.
The Golden Horde played a significant role in Eurasian history, influencing politics and trade from Europe to Asia. They were not just conquerors; they helped connect different cultures and economies.
Recent genetic studies are starting to shed light on Jochi's lineage, which might help us understand more about the origins and impact of the Mongol Empire on modern histories.

Polygenic scores predicting education levels also predict fertility in opposite directions.
Economic theory explains the relationship between income, education, and number of children.
US data on natural selection shows differences compared to the UK, possibly influenced by factors like welfare support and class distinctions.

Throughout history, technological growth has drastically changed, particularly in the last 150 years. This period saw growth that's far beyond anything in earlier times.
Today's society is much better off than before, with greater access to resources and technology. Most people have standards of living that are far superior compared to the past.
Understanding our economic growth is complex. It's important to measure not just resources, but also how people work together and use ideas to improve life.

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The human economic history is complicated and shaped by many factors over a long time. It's important to look back at our past to understand how we got to where we are.
Calculating the true value of what people produced in the past is really tricky. Most production used to go towards basic needs, but now we have more technology and efficiency to create luxuries.
Making predictions about the future is even more uncertain. We can only guess how things will continue to change and develop.