Drug-related juvenile crimes in refugee camps are a growing concern, shaped by structural vulnerabilities. This review synthesizes existing literature on drug-related juvenile crimes in refugee settings, focusing on how social disorganization, structural neglect, and psychosocial deprivation increase vulnerability among displaced children, and argues for a public health-oriented decriminalization approach to prevention and rehabilitation. Drawing upon international and regional studies published between 2017 and 2024, the paper highlights how poverty, forced migration, trauma, limited education, and exposure to drug trafficking networks contribute to youth delinquency in refugee camps. Using social disorganization, delinquent subculture, rational choice, and structural functionalism theories, the review identifies five key thematic drivers: economic marginalization, peer and gang influence, normalization of drug culture, lack of family supervision, and absence of rehabilitation services. In light of contemporary debates on drug decriminalization, the review argues that punitive approaches to drug-related juvenile offences often reinforce structural disadvantages, criminalize poverty, and hinder social reintegration. Instead, a public health-oriented decriminalization framework can mitigate these harms by shifting focus from punishment to rehabilitation, prevention, and community reintegration. The consequences of maintaining criminalization extend beyond individual harm, contributing to broader community insecurity, increased drug dependency, and undermined law and order. The paper concludes by recommending a multisectoral prevention and recovery framework that aligns with decriminalization principles, emphasizing community-based rehabilitation, psychosocial counseling, drug awareness education, and integrated child protection systems anchored in social work and public health models. Such an approach advances restorative justice and promotes long-term well-being for at-risk juveniles in fragile and displaced settings.

This perspective piece tackles transnational ageism in the workplace by focusing on the Singapore case and national context while making connections to timely observations in Canada. Following existing studies, our review finds that although cultural circumstances of Confucian filial piety (in Singapore and East Asia) lead to higher degrees of implicit rather than explicit age discrimination, ageism is equally serious, and similarly intense, across contexts. Our discussion challenges the oversimplification of cultural differences between “East” and “West” in how societies are thought to address aging and age discrimination, as well as how ageism in various settings of daily life manifests. By analyzing policies, workplace practices, and social attitudes in Singapore, then situating these in global trends such as in Canada, we reveal common anxieties faced by older adults regarding financial insecurity and access to re-employment. This transnational lens underscores the importance of delving deeper into the culturally specific ways ageism manifests while simultaneously working toward the creation of effective international strategies. Deeper shifts are needed in the hearts and minds of people for significant changes to occur. In our view, shifting global demographics and rapid workplace changes necessitate a move beyond stereotypes and toward intergenerational cooperation, especially but not just in the workplace. We emphasize the importance of addressing ageism at all levels, relationally and transnationally, interpersonally to institutionally, to promote age-inclusive societies and secure a more dignified future for aging populations. Both authors’ perspectives are anchored in lived experiences as Singapore citizens. In what follows, we weave together our academic and community-engaged practitioner expertise in Singapore’s context of workplace ageism in light of ongoing community and social gerontology trends. We offer some observations in Canada for a comparative lens by way of gesturing to future transnational research directions for population studies.

Poverty is a complex and multidimensional issue that is difficult to measure accurately. While multiple studies have employed traditional econometric methods to analyze poverty, they often overlook the critical roles of electricity, Internet, and cell phone access - factors our study incorporates alongside machine learning to provide deeper and more accurate insights. This study examines the associations between Internet, cell phone, and electricity access and poverty in the poorest region of Luzon, Philippines, aiming to foster connectivity among households to support poverty alleviation. Using probit regression and estimation analyses, we found significant socioeconomic disparities, with many households living below the poverty line. While most households have electricity and cell phones, many lack Internet access. This indicates challenges in infrastructure and digital connectivity that affect living standards and economic opportunities. The analysis reveals important causal relationships between Internet access, cell phone ownership, electricity availability, household size, and the likelihood of being in poverty. Interestingly, the lack of these essential services is linked to higher poverty rates. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to tackle the root causes of poverty, particularly in bridging the digital divide and improving access to essential services. Machine learning algorithms were employed to effectively predict poverty outcomes based on the results of econometric modeling, where variables with significant coefficients served as a priori inputs. The findings indicate that Extreme Gradient Boosting achieved the lowest mean square error and the highest R2 value among all regression models. Meanwhile, the random forest classifier demonstrated the best overall performance with the highest classification accuracy. The outlined policies support energy affordability, cell phone access, and Internet connectivity through financial aid, solar programs, device provisions, and broadband expansion. Addressing infrastructure gaps and technology access is key to sustainable economic growth, guiding policy makers toward equitable, resilient solutions.

In 2018, the adjusted net attendance ratio for secondary schools in Lesotho was 56.1%, with males accounting for 45.5% and females 67.2%, a rate falling short of the 80% target set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study explores the individual, household, and community factors influencing secondary school attendance among youth aged 13 - 17 in Lesotho. The study utilized data from the Lesotho 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey to examine the factors associated with secondary school attendance. A three-level logistic regression model was employed to assess these associations, with separate analyses conducted for male and female respondents. The study’s findings revealed that at the individual level, the relationship to the household was a significant factor for both genders. For males, additional factors included age, herding of animals, and maternal education, whereas for females, age at first marriage was significant. Among males, household factors accounted for the largest share (79.3%) of the explained variation in school attendance, followed by individual factors (14.8%), and community factors (5.9%). For females, household and community factors each explained 43% of the variation, with individual factors accounting for 14.6%. Based on the findings, it is concluded that for males, individual and household factors were the primary factors influencing their school attendance, explaining at least 80% of the total explained variation. For females, household and community factors were the most significant factors. The study recommends that there should be interventions addressing household and individual factors for males, and household and community factors for females. Specifically, addressing issues such as animal herding for boys and teenage marriage for girls could significantly improve their school attendance. In addition, poverty reduction or subsidizing secondary education could enhance attendance rates for both genders, as financial constraints were identified as a barrier.

This study aims to investigate how demographic factors - education, income, and family size - interact with the core dimensions of social capital (trust, networks, and norms) to shape collective decision-making in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia, a rural area renowned for its culturally significant red durian cultivation. Using a mixed-method approach that integrates quantitative surveys (from 200 household heads within the local population) and qualitative interviews with community leaders, data were analyzed using principal component analysis and structural equation modeling. To contextualize the results, we additionally synthesize evidence from four recent rural-agriculture studies in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, highlighting both convergent and divergent demographic-social-capital pathways. Interview questions explored socio-economic contexts, stakeholder collaboration, and community norms, providing deeper insight into local governance structures. The findings reveal that higher education enhances trust in community institutions, stable incomes facilitate participation in social networks, and larger family sizes reinforce adherence to shared norms. These demographic-social capital interactions significantly influence community decisions regarding red durian cultivation, with educated and wealthier households more likely to support sustainable practices and larger families serving as social anchors. Notably, these results underscore the economic dimension of sustainability, as households with greater financial capacity can invest in improved farming techniques and marketing strategies. While grounded in a single case study, the insights offer potential lessons for other rural communities in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of integrating social capital-building initiatives into rural development strategies to promote collective action, cultural preservation, and sustainable agriculture. Policymakers are encouraged to implement context-specific education and income-support programs while fostering inclusive community networks. Nevertheless, the study’s single-site design suggests a need for broader comparative research, including additional demographic variables, to fully capture cross-cultural nuances and longitudinal dynamics.

This study aims to investigate how Papuan students studying in Surabaya - the second largest city in Indonesia - face and overcome various cultural barriers during their adaptation process in Java. The main focus of this study is how they break down stereotypes and prejudices against Javanese society, and how they adapt to local culture through meaningful social contact to be able to live their academic lives smoothly. This study uses a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations of 25 new Papuan students studying at five universities in Surabaya and then analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The results of the study showed that Papuan students are able to find various effective adaptation strategies in a new environment that is different from their initial expectations. One of the keys to successful adaptation is their ability to identify and utilize meaningful contact zones, namely, social spaces where they can establish positive and in-depth interactions. Some important strategies used to find and build these contact zones include: understanding the character of the person they are talking to, avoiding communication that is too long and indirect, building an open and friendly self-image, being active in the community, and following the social and cultural developments in the city where they live.

Despite a significant decline in fertility over the past 30 years, Bangladesh’s total fertility rate has stalled at 2.3 since 2011, indicating a period of stagnation in reproductive behavior. This situation raises important questions about the role of community-level factors, which may be critical but remain underexplored as determinants of the failure to reach replacement-level fertility. The present study investigates how various community-level and individual-level factors influence the transition to third parity among ever-married women in Bangladesh, utilizing comprehensive data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. The analysis reveals that families with more than two children significantly impact third birth rates, particularly in communities with a high prevalence of larger families, where the rate reaches an alarming 76.5%. Furthermore, community-level illiteracy and poverty demonstrate complex effects on birth intervals, with higher levels of these factors associated with an increased likelihood of third births. To identify the key determinants influencing the timing of third births, we employed the Cox proportional hazards model, estimating parameters using the maximum likelihood approach. The findings indicate that community characteristics, especially the prevalence of larger families, significantly increase the hazard of transitioning from second to third births, with hazard ratios ranging from 1.55 to 4.01 across different models. Other important determinants include age at first marriage, educational attainment, and exposure to mass media, underscoring the intricate relationships between socioeconomic factors and reproductive behavior. These results highlight the crucial need for targeted interventions that consider community characteristics to effectively influence fertility decisions.

In Ghana, unintended pregnancies account for one in three births and are associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes—a problem that appears to have worsened during the COVID-19 lockdown and school closures. Hence, this study examines unintended pregnancy and its predictors among adolescent schoolgirls within the context of COVID-19-induced school closures in rural and underserved communities in Ejisu municipality in Ghana. The sample comprised 310 adolescent girls aged 13-19 years who had a pregnancy during the COVID-19 lockdown. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and both bivariate and multivariate regression techniques were used to analyze the data. Of the total respondents, 227 (73.2%) had unintended pregnancies during the COVID-19 lockdown. The majority, 234 (75.5%), were aged between 16 and 19 years, 275 (88.7%) lived in rural areas, and 126 (40.6%) lived with only their mothers. Regression results demonstrated that girls who lacked knowledge of contraception (crude odds ratio = 0.691, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.479, 0.581]) and sex education (crude odds ratio = 0.209, 95% CI = [0.121, 0.362]), had multiple sex partners (adjusted odds ratio = 1.382, 95% CI = [0.289, 0.921]), and lived with only their mothers during the COVID-19 lockdown were more likely to experience unintended pregnancy than their counterparts. Awareness of the predicting factors identified in this study can guide parental roles in reducing the likelihood of their children being lured sexually or victimized during disruptive occurrences like COVID-19-induced school closures.

This study investigates the rationality underlying women’s fertility decisions in rural households, focusing on intergenerational dynamics within a specific Indonesian context. Globally, fertility patterns are shaped by complex socioeconomic, cultural, and individual factors, with women’s rational considerations often overlooked or oversimplified. This research aims to explore how women in Jrengik Village, Sampang Regency, Indonesia, make decisions regarding family size, considering perspectives of consumption, production, and future security. Employing a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with women from different generations within the same households, the study delves into their perceptions and reasoning. Preliminary findings reveal a nuanced interplay of economic considerations, such as labor availability and old-age support, with non-economic factors, including social prestige, emotional fulfillment, and cultural norms surrounding ideal family size. Notably, generational differences highlight shifts in the salience of these rationales, suggesting an evolving understanding of the “utility” of children. This study contributes to the broader discourse on fertility transitions by emphasizing the subjective rationalities of women, offering valuable insights for population policies that aim to align with community perspectives in rural areas undergoing demographic and socioeconomic transition.

There is significant variation in estimates and assumptions about Bangladesh’s demographic trajectory, highlighting the need for reassessment. This study primarily utilizes data from the 2022 Revision of the World Population Prospects to examine the demographic transition in Bangladesh and highlight a key window of opportunity. It provides a comprehensive examination of population structure, fertility, mortality, and labor force participation to contextualize the transition stages. The analysis underscores that the theory of demographic transition cannot be applied universally as a “one-size-fits-all” model. The study demonstrates that, by analyzing the common features associated with the demographic transition, including birth rates, death rates, and population trends, a country can determine its specific stage in the transition process. In the case of Bangladesh, while categorized as a lower-middle-income nation, it has reached the fourth stage of demographic transition as of 2020. This is a notable development, as many lower-middle-income countries remain in earlier stages of transition. The study emphasizes that the period from 2020 to 2037 is critical for Bangladesh to realize the maximum demographic dividend. This opportunity hinges on ensuring that the working-age population has access to quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. The study also underscores the importance of creating employment opportunities, with a particular emphasis on increasing female labor force participation and skill development, as well as integrating socioeconomic, cultural, and gender considerations into demographic analyses. In addition, proactive planning for an aging population post-2037 is crucial to maintaining the demographic dividend and addressing economic and social challenges. Harnessing this window wisely will determine Bangladesh’s long-term socioeconomic resilience and sustainable development trajectory.

The birth rate in mainland China declined from 12.95‰ in 2016 to 6.39‰ in 2023, posing significant challenges to social harmony and sustainable development. To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of family planning policy adjustments, this study collected birth rate and population data for mainland China (2007 - 2023) and eight provinces, including Shanghai and Beijing (provincial-level municipalities), Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Hunan, Hebei, Hainan, and Guangdong. Using Joinpoint regression and autoregressive integrated moving average models, we analyzed birth rate trends, assessed the stimulatory effects of four family planning policy adjustments (2011 - 2021), and projected future birth rate trajectories for both mainland China and the selected provinces. The findings show that the partial two-child policies (2011, 2013) stabilized national birth rates and triggered short-term regional increases. The universal two-child policy (2016) caused a temporary surge, followed by a continued linear decline. The three-child policy (2021) failed to reverse this trend and had a negligible impact. Key drivers include a 19% decrease in the population of women of childbearing age and a 34% decline in childbearing willingness. Projections from birth rate models (2024 - 2030) demonstrate a continued national decline, with significant regional disparities in both demographic characteristics and policy responsiveness. To address these dual challenges, China must implement comprehensive reforms to its national family planning policies to support sustainable social development, alongside province-specific interventions tailored to local demographic conditions to maintain regional balance.

Globally, despite the increasing social and economic interventions to achieve better health behavior outcomes for the younger generation, the rising rate of engagement in risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) among young people is alarming, particularly in developing countries. This could be attributed to households’ wealth conditions that contribute to poor access to sexual and reproductive health services. This study investigates the influence of household wealth status on RSBs (transactional sex and non-condom use) among unmarried youth aged 15-24 years in Nigeria. Survey data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were used to better understand RSBs among a weighted sample of 12,664 unmarried adolescents and young adults in Nigeria. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequency tables, while analytical methods included Pearson’s Chi-square test and multivariate logistic analysis. The study found that individuals aged 20-24 were significantly more likely to engage in RSBs, particularly among those from households in the poorest wealth quintile (odds ratio [OR]: 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.76), living in communities with average poverty levels (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.69-2.59), with higher education (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.20-8.66), with community media access (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.27-3.26), and residing in high-poverty communities (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.94-2.54). To mitigate the negative effects of RSBs and their consequences, youth support initiatives should be prioritized by governments and non-governmental organizations through adaptation and mitigation strategies, particularly for those residing in low-wealth households, to discourage them from engaging in RSBs.

In low- and middle-income countries, women’s empowerment is a vital driver for overall development. Using data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, this study investigates how women’s household decision-making power and autonomy over sexual rights influence contraceptive method choice among married women in Bangladesh. Findings show that 59% of women used modern contraceptives, while 10% relied on traditional methods. Multilevel multinomial logistic regression (MLMLR) analysis reveals that women with higher household decision-making autonomy and those who supported the right to refuse sex with their husbands were significantly (p<0.001) more likely to prefer either modern or traditional contraception compared to the reference category, “non-users.” Moreover, older women, those from wealthier households, women desiring more children, and those who had experienced child mortality were significantly less likely to choose traditional or modern contraception compared to non-users. Conversely, the likelihood of preferring modern or traditional methods was significantly higher among highly educated couples, those earning cash income, non-Muslim women, those who received visits from family planning workers (FPWs), and those with access to mass media. Community-level factors also influenced contraceptive method choices: Urban women and those from communities with higher levels of female education were more likely to use contraceptives than their non-user counterparts. The MLMLR analysis also found significant variations in contraceptive method choice across clusters and regions. The findings underscore the critical role of women’s empowerment, particularly in household decision-making and sexual autonomy, in shaping contraceptive behavior. Strengthening women’s agency at both individual and community levels through policies and programs, expanding FPW doorstep services, and empowering low-educated, rural women in household decisions may boost effective contraceptive use and advance Bangladesh’s family planning efforts.