NetResilience – social networks

The Social networks, fertility and wellbeing in ageing populations: Building demographic resilience in Finland (NetResilience) consortium investigates demographic change from the perspective of social networks.

Close social ties affect the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities, and supporting these networks should become a social policy priority.

NetResilience consortium website: https://www.netresilience.fi/en/

Consortium director: Antti O. Tanskanen, University of Turku
Deputy director: Anna Rotkirch, Väestöliitto
Interaction coordinator: Tiina Helamaa, Väestöliitto
Coordinator: Vesa-Matti Paasivaara, University of Turku

Themes – Working packages

About the NetResilience

Our main aim is to identify network characteristics that strengthen population resilience, or the ability to adapt to external shocks. We study how population change affects social networks, and how changing networks, in turn, shape population change and wellbeing.

For example, changes in size and structural features of social networks likely play a part in recent fertility declines in many wealthy societies. To study these changes, we apply complex network science methodology to real-life human networks using contemporary register and survey as well as historical Finnish data. Our practical goal is to support targeted, cost-effective regional solutions to family, youth and ageing services in regions facing either depopulation or population growth.

The NetResilience consortium is funded by the Strategic Research Council at the Academy of Finland.