Content of Constructing China's Independent Knowledge System of Demography in our journal

Published in last 1 year |  In last 2 years |  In last 3 years |  All Please wait a minute... For Selected: Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX Toggle Thumbnails Select Global Perspective on Ageing Research: International Progress and Comparative Insights for China Du Peng, Ma Qifeng Population Research    2026, 50 (2): 84-97.   Abstract （3512）            Knowledge map    Save Population ageing is a common challenge faced by countries worldwide in the 21st century. China is currently undergoing the largest-scale and fastest-ageing process in the world. This demographic transition poses severe challenges to both national governance capacity and academic research. However, domestic ageing research started relatively late compared to Western nations and still has considerable room for improvement in understanding the global developmental trajectory and research frontiers of the field. This paper aims to review the evolution, frontier topics, and innovation mechanisms of international ageing research, aiming to provide insights for domestic studies and contribute to the formation of a disciplinary discourse system that is rooted in local contexts yet oriented toward the world. International ageing research has undergone four main developmental stages. From the early 20th century to the 1950s, the field emerged under the predominant influence of the medical paradigm. The 1960s to 1970s marked a critical phase of theoretical formation and disciplinary independence. During the 1980s and 1990s, a clear critical turn became evident. Since the 21st century, a global perspective and interdisciplinary integration have become distinctive features. This trajectory profoundly reveals the progression of international ageing research from medical dominance to social scientific independence, from theoretical formation to critical reflection, and from a limited focus to a global outlook. Based on the Web of Science (WOS) and Journal Citation Reports (JCR) from Clarivate Analytics, this paper reviews literature from 38 SSCI-indexed Gerontology journals and identifies ten major hot topics in current international ageing research. These broadly cover ageing population studies, health issues in old age, elderly care services, family issues in ageing, digital life of older adults, silver economy research, age-friendly environments, social work with older adults, social governance of ageing, and other related areas. Building on this, the paper examines innovations in the key elements of international ageing research. Research paradigms are evolving toward greater integration and refinement. Theoretical construction increasingly emphasizes the agency of older adults and critical reflection. Research methods increasingly rely on the integration of data resources and advanced analytical technologies. These international developments offer multiple insights for ageing research in China. First, it is necessary to avoid the simple transplantation of Western theories and instead construct a local theoretical system that reflects cultural subjectivity. Second, the international comparative perspective should be expanded, with emphasis on contextual adaptation when drawing on the experiences of other countries. Third, greater attention should be paid to the inheritance of traditional Chinese wisdom on ageing. Fourth, it is essential to strengthen the development of data infrastructure, promote methodological and technological innovation, and enhance the practical value of academic outcomes. This paper provides directional reference and theoretical support for constructing an independent knowledge system of Gerontology in China. It clarifies the international coordinates and innovative dynamics of disciplinary development, underscores the urgency of localized theoretical innovation, and offers evidence-based insights for China to improve its social governance of ageing and contribute Eastern wisdom to global Gerontology amid population ageing. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select An “Event-Sequence-Time” Analysis of Marriage Delay Song Jian, Tang Tianrong Population Research    2026, 50 (2): 98-113.   Abstract （3676）            Knowledge map    Save The postponement of first marriage has become a salient demographic change in China. However, existing explanations remain divided and often conceptualize age at first marriage as a single outcome indicator, with insufficient attention to the life course processes underlying its formation. This study aims to clarify the mechanisms of delayed first marriage in China by distinguishing the differential effects of changes in life course sequencing and timing shifts on age at first marriage, while examining how individual endowments and family background shape marriage transitions. Drawing on life course theory, the study proposes an integrated “event-sequence-time” analytical framework capturing both the processual and outcome dimensions of first marriage. Within this framework, two distinct mechanisms of marriage postponement are identified. The first is a sequence effect, whereby the standardized life course is altered and marriage is no longer treated as a necessary life event, reflecting a process of de-institutionalization in which marriage is actively postponed or forgone. The second is a timing effect, whereby the standardized sequence remains largely intact, but delays in preceding events or the lengthening of transition periods lead to a higher age at first marriage. The analysis draws on pooled cross-sectional data from five waves of the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS 2005, 2006, 2008, 2018, and 2021). The study examines the sequencing and timing of three key early-life events, namely graduation, entry into first job, and first marriage, and their variation across cohorts. Descriptive statistics based on the proposed framework are first used to identify dominant life course patterns. Binary logistic regression models then estimate how individual endowments and family background influence adherence to a standardized life course sequence. To isolate the timing effect and reduce confounding from prolonged schooling, accelerated failure time (AFT) models are used to examine the effects of individual endowments and family background on the transition duration from graduation to first marriage. The findings show that more than three-quarters of respondents follow a standardized sequence of “graduation-first job-first marriage.” Across cohorts, the average ages at graduation, first job entry, and first marriage have all increased.Meanwhile, the transition time from graduation to first marriage has shortened across cohorts. Individuals with higher endowments are more likely to deviate from the standardized sequence and experience faster transitions into first marriage, whereas those from more advantaged family backgrounds are more likely to adhere to standardized sequences and have longer transition times. The sequence effect operates mainly among people with high individual endowments, while the timing effect is widespread across social groups. Overall, the postponement of first marriage in China mainly reflects timing effects rather than structural changes in the sequencing of life course events. By integrating process and outcome dimensions, this study advances the understanding of marriage timing as a life course transition shaped by both event sequencing and timing dynamics. The findings suggest that policies to encourage age-appropriate marriage and childbearing in China need to consider the structured linkage between marriage, education, and employment, rather than focusing solely on marital or fertility-related interventions. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics