Theme: "Population Dynamics, Policy, and Leadership: Navigating Demographic Shifts in a Changing World"

In an era marked by profound demographic transitions—including population aging, fertility decline, internal and international migration, youth bulges, and increasing urbanization—the challenges facing population governance have grown more complex and urgent. These dynamics intersect with structural inequalities, political instability, environmental stress, and technological disruptions, requiring not only responsive and inclusive public policies, but also transformative leadership at multiple levels.

This upcoming issue of Jurnal Populasi calls for original research articles, policy analyses, and critical reviews that examine the nexus between population change, policy response, and leadership practices in both local and global contexts. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary approaches that draw from demography, sociology, political science, public administration, gender studies, and development studies.

Conceptual Framework

The issue is grounded in the understanding that population issues are not only technical or statistical matters—they are inherently political and ethical. Decisions about who gets counted, who benefits from demographic policies, and whose voices shape the future are central to population studies today. Leadership—whether from government actors, community organizers, indigenous authorities, or youth activists—plays a pivotal role in shaping narratives, allocating resources, and setting priorities.

Policy, in turn, reflects the values and power structures embedded in governance systems. By critically exploring how demographic knowledge is produced, interpreted, and acted upon, this issue aims to advance scholarly dialogue on the political economy of population governance and the role of leadership in forging inclusive demographic futures.

We invite submissions that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Public policy responses to demographic change in decentralised governance systems
• Political and community leadership in managing demographic dividends and youth potential
• Governance challenges and leadership during population crises (e.g., pandemics, displacement, environmental disasters)
• The role of women and youth in population advocacy and policy leadership
• Population ageing and the politics of long-term care, pensions, and intergenerational justice
• Reproductive health, gender, and demographic justice in public policy
• Indigenous and customary leadership in managing land, population rights, and natural resources
• Innovations in demographic data governance and leadership in evidence-based policymaking

Submission Guidelines