THE CONTOURS OF DEMOGRAPHY - ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS

This paper considers the scope of demography and the various research approaches that legitimately could claim the label. As a small field l acking security in academic structures, demography has been unusually sensitive to demand factors, including those associated with perceived population problems. International health is cited as an area of incr eased demographic presence; reasons for this development are explored. The technology for performing research in demography is improving mor e rapidly than in many other areas of the social sciences, and thus is helping to improve the relative standing of the field. Taking a deman d-oriented approach, the paper identifies several promising research a reas in which demographers will be called on to address issues of nati onal and international concern.