1 THE DEMOGRAPHY OF DISADVANTAGE

My choice of title for this address was based on the idea that in a world of inequality and injustice, the demographer may have something fresh and insightful to say, based on the methodology of demography or on particular ways in which demographers view the world. I have laboured hard to produce these fresh insights, with, I fear, meagre results. Indeed, much of what I will present to you is a culling of the results of other disciplines ’ efforts. But perhaps there is value in that. The subject of disadvantage is a broad and complex one, and it is one that cries out for cross-disciplinary work. We demographers do have something to offer, I believe, but we also have a duty to understand what others are saying. 1. Definition and measurement of disadvantage If our policy aim is to reduce disadvantage, we need to be clear what it is we are aiming to reduce, and where such disadvantage is located in the society. Only when these matters are settled can we set about seeing what demography has to contribute – perhaps in measuring disadvantage, perhaps in considering how disadvantage is linked to demographic factors, perhaps in other ways