Demographer

Demographers study to determine the causes and consequences of changes in the characteristics of human populations. Much of a demographer's work involves:

• developing registration systems and surveys to collect data
• collecting and analyzing statistics concerning births, deaths and migration
• collecting, describing and analyzing other population characteristics such as age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, ancestry, school attendance, education level, employment, occupation, income and household size and composition
• producing estimates and projections of population size and other demographic characteristics
• communicating analytic results in reports, academic papers and other documents.

In government and planning organizations, demographic statistics and projections are used to plan for and respond to population changes in an informed and reasonable manner. Changing demographics have far-reaching implications in many areas, including education, health and social programs. Therefore, identifying, tracking and predicting population trends is vital to organizations involved in activities such as drafting social and economic policy, planning city services and infrastructure, and developing public health, education and labour force strategies.

In business and industry, analysis of demographic data improves a company's understanding of:

• who its current and potential customers are
• how its markets are changing in size, location and characteristics
• how products or services may have to change to respond to changing customer or client needs
• where future opportunities might lie.

Demographers in applied business settings often take on th e role of market analysts. They plan, conduct research, write technical reports and present their findings to management and clients.

Demographers generally work standard hours in an office environment but may work overtime to meet project deadlines. Some travel may be required to collect data or conduct surveys.

Demographers need to possess:

• an interest in societal trends
• good mathematical and problem-solving skills
• good communication skills
• the ability to be objective, analytical and creative
• the ability to translate social issues and questions into numbers
• the ability to draw insights and conclusions from data
• the ability to present data in a way that is easily understandable and useful.

Demographers should enjoy synthesizing data, applying demographic and statistical theories and methods, and advising others regarding statistical methodology and analytical techniques.

Demographers are employed by:

• Statistics Canada and other federal government departments
• provincial and territorial government departments
• research, policy and planning branches of large municipal governments
• school boards, health authorities and social agencies
• universities
• international organizations working in areas such as development aid and population planning
• public opinion polling firms
• businesses and consulting companies such as market research and actuarial firms.

Demographers employed in private industry often have other duties that are not strictly demographic in nature. Those employed in universities may teach courses outside the field of population and carry out population-related research. Some demographers operate their own consulting businesses.

Advancement often requires a master's or doctoral degree.

Demographers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2161: Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Educational Services (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF)

The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
• size of the occupation

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Population Society website: www.canpopsoc.ca

Population Research Laboratory, Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta website: www.prl.ualberta.ca

Society of Edmonton Demographers website: sites.google.com/site/sedtoday/home

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.