Legazpi City – Recognizing the evolving landscape of population studies, the 2025 Philippine Population Association International Scientific Conference emphasized a groundbreaking shift in demography, treating education as the third key demographic variable, alongside age and sex.
Held in Bicol in partnership with Bicol University, the annual conference gathered demographers, social scientists, and population experts from across the country and abroad. This year’s theme, “Education and Population Dynamics: How It Influences Societal Development,” underscored the significant role of education in shaping fertility rates, migration patterns, and economic development.
For decades, demographic analyses primarily focused on age and sex as key determinants of societal trends. However, this year’s conference put forth education as a critical factor influencing population dynamics. Experts highlighted that educational attainment is not just an outcome of demographic changes but also a driver of them, impacting economic opportunities, health outcomes, and migration trends.
“We are moving toward a global consensus that education should be integrated into demographic analyses, as it plays a vital role in shaping fertility, mortality, and migration patterns,” Dr. Samir Kc, a leading demographer from the Asian Demographic Research Institute at Shanghai University, said.
Dr. Kc, who delivered the keynote address, is a pioneer in population projections and leads projects under the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Vienna, Austria.
One of the key topics discussed was the declining fertility rate in the Philippines, which has now dropped to 1.9 children per woman, a figure below the replacement level of 2.1. Experts linked this decline to higher educational attainment, particularly among women, who tend to delay childbirth and opt for smaller families as they pursue careers and economic opportunities.
Migration was another focal point, with plenary speaker Dr. Guy J. Abel, a migration sociologist, discussing how education levels significantly influence migration patterns. The Philippines, as a major labor-exporting country, sees a large proportion of its educated workforce seeking opportunities abroad. This has long-term implications for both domestic labor markets and economic development.
Meanwhile, discussions also touched on the aging population, with projections showing that 10 percent of the Philippine population will be aged 60 and above in the next five years. Experts stressed the importance of education-driven workforce development, ensuring that the country remains economically productive despite this demographic shift.
With over 180 participants—the highest attendance in the conference’s history—this year’s event saw 20 parallel sessions and more than 60 research papers presented, covering topics such as: Fertility, mortality, and morbidity trends in the Philippines. Education’s role in migration and labor force development.
An exhibit on the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study was also featured, showcasing youth behaviors related to sexuality, fertility, and reproductive health across the 17 regions of the country.
Since the pandemic, the Philippine Population Association has made a conscious effort to bring the conference to different regions, highlighting not only academic discussions but also the tourism potential of each host location. After being held in UP Visayas (2023) and Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao (2024), this year’s Bicol-hosted event reinforced the region’s role in advancing population research.
As demographic trends continue to shift, the inclusion of education as a key variable will provide policymakers, researchers, and economists with a more holistic understanding of population dynamics, paving the way for informed decisions that shape the country’s future. | Angela Antivola