MSc in Economic Growth, Population and Development

Programme overview

When applying to this programme, you select one of three tracks: the Economic History track, the Economic Demography track, or the Economic Development track.

Economic History (120 credits)

Knowledge of the past is essential for understanding today’s world and shaping the future. On this track, you will develop advanced insights into the long-term development of societies. By combining analytical tools from economics and the social sciences with a contextual understanding of conditions in the past, you will become able to use the accumulated human experience to solve current-day problems.

Lund University is renowned for its research in economic history. As a student, you take full advantage of this thriving environment, getting access to state-of-the-art research in your education. Core courses cover thematic fields such as the global economy, population and living standards, institutional change as well as research design and the application of scientific methods. In addition, you can tailor your degree from our broad range of topics covered in elective courses and tutorials.

Upon completion of this track, you will graduate with an MSc in Economic History.

Economic Demography (120 credits)

Changes in population have an impact on everything from taxes, school systems, labour markets and health care to marketing and sales of products and services. Economic demography explores the relationship between population and economy and how they influence one another. It includes the study of the size, structure and distribution of populations and how populations change over time due to births, deaths, migration and ageing.

This track will provide you with the theory, methods and skills necessary to explain a number of social and economic phenomena. Key topics include mortality and the demographic transition, the labour market, migration patterns and health issues. It enables you to better understand and tackle global issues tied to employment, welfare and public health.

We offer quality teaching by some of the world’s leading researchers in the field of demography. The courses are designed to help you apply the concepts in real life with individual investigations, projects, teamwork and live presentations.

Upon completion of this track, you will graduate with an MSc in Economic Demography.

Economic Development (120 credits)

Economic development is a dynamic process of change over time leading to sustained improvements in general standards of living and increased opportunities for individuals to lead a life of his or her choosing. One of the most pressing global problems is that this process has been slow in many parts of the world. At the same time, the global economy is under transformation, providing potential opportunities for developing countries to catch up. In order to analyse and understand the possibilities for and hindrances to progress in human life conditions across the developing world today, there is a need for a thorough empirical and theoretical understanding of these processes of economic change.

Within this track, many of the most intensely debated topics in the current discussion on economic development are thoroughly dealt with. These include the relation between economic growth, poverty reduction and income inequality, the role of institutions for long-term development, the relevance and dynamics of structural change, development lessons from Asia-Pacific, the role of the state and the potential of development assistance. All topics are discussed in a historical and comparative perspective, applying both quantitative and qualitative techniques depending on the problem at hand.

Upon completion of this track, you will graduate with an MSc in Economic Development.

Lund University – Sweden's Top-Ranked University

Lund University was founded in 1666 and has 40 000 students and 8 000 employees. It offers more than 130 Master’s programmes and 10 Bachelor’s programmes taught in English .

Lund is Sweden’s most attractive study destination. The University offers one of the broadest ranges of programmes and courses in Scandinavia, based on cross-disciplinary and cutting-edge research. A degree from Lund University is a hallmark of quality both in Sweden and abroad.

Subject areas

Our nine faculties and many specialised research centres offer education in the following subject areas:

• Architecture & Design
• Area Studies
• Business, Economics & Management
• Engineering & Technology
• Environment & Sustainability
• Fine & Performing Arts
• Humanities & Languages
• Law
• Medicine & Health
• Science
• Service Management
• Social Sciences

Research

Lund is home to over 30 world-leading research environments and is home to two of Europe's largest materials research facilities: MAX IV (inaugurated in 2016) and ESS (to open in 2023). Lund University is also a member of the prestigious research-intensive university networks Universitas 21 (U21) , the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and the European University Alliance for Global Health (EUGLOH).

Teaching style

Critical thinking and freedom of mind are the cornerstones of academic life at Lund University. A focus on group work in more informal, open class environments facilitates learning, creates a dialogue and helps generate new ideas.

Lund is an international meeting place for students and researchers alike. This creates global class environments where students gain new cultural perspectives and can develop their international networks, which are highly valued by employers worldwide.

Students in Lund are given excellent opportunities for business interaction . The city of Lund has a unique, world-class environment for technology, knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship and hosts an impressive breadth of international companies.

Student Life

Lund is the #1 choice for international students coming to Sweden and is considered the best student city in Sweden, with its unique combination of large social clubs (the historic 'nations'), student unions and the Academic Society creating a vibrant and active student life.

City of Lund

Located in southern Sweden, the city of Lund is just 10 minutes by train to Sweden’s third largest city, Malmö, and only 35 minutes by train to Copenhagen Airport in Denmark.

As one of the oldest cities in Sweden, dating back to 990, Lund is a city of contrasts where over 1 000 years of history blend with modern knowledge and ideas. In Lund, you find the charm of a small, picturesque, cobble-stoned city, side-by-side with big city attractions such as services, shopping, restaurants and cultural events. Lund is also home to major international companies such as Sony Mobile, Tetra Pak, Ericsson, Alfa Laval and Gambro.

English is widely spoken in Sweden and Lund (90% of Swedes are fluent) , meaning that you can experience a unique European culture without experiencing a language barrier.

Learn more about Lund University

For more information, please visit www.lunduniversity.lu.se

For more information, please visit You can also ask questions via our web form at lunduniversity.lu.se/degree-studies or find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. You can also listen to Lund University International Podcast!