Detailed population data on aging in the Global South
Microdata for Research on Aging in the Global South
Combining and harmonizing decades of censuses and surveys to make it easier to understand how aging affects people in low- and middle-income countries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141192 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project gathers detailed census and survey microdata from countries across Latin America, Africa, and South Asia to build a large, standardized database about older adults and their families. Researchers clean and harmonize information on age, location, marital status, education, work, migration, and household relationships so records from different years and countries can be compared. The work uses the established IPUMS infrastructure to link decades of data and create searchable datasets that researchers and policymakers can use. Although the project analyzes existing records rather than recruiting people, it aims to produce findings and tools that can inform services and policies for older adults in the Global South.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The relevant individuals are older adults (especially those 60+) and their household members who appear in national censuses and surveys from countries in the Global South.
Not a fit: People outside the covered countries or those who are not captured in national censuses or surveys (for example undocumented, transient, or unhoused individuals) are unlikely to be represented or benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the database could help researchers and policymakers design better health, social, and economic programs for older adults in developing countries.
How similar studies have performed: This builds on the long-running IPUMS effort and other data harmonization projects that have successfully created global microdata resources, though the focused use for aging in the Global South is a newer emphasis.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruggles, Steve — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Ruggles, Steve
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.