Demography Unplugged

Demography Unplugged aims to integrate various fields of study related to human behavior in large groups. I take a broad view of “demography,” encompassing not just statistics about births and deaths, but also how people act in different aspects of life, such as politics, jobs, leadership, investments, and entertainment. This approach also delves into the hopes and fears that drive these behaviors, which is what I mean by "unplugged." Furthermore, the focus here is not only on describing these behaviors but also on predicting them. A key belief in my work is that social behavior can be anticipated to some extent. If it weren’t, discussing these topics would be pointless.

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Articles

Trading the Partisan Divide

1 week ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe |Christian Ford

Republicans have become far more optimistic about the stock market than Democrats. In turn, many investors are buying stocks based on their political opinions. —The Wall Street JournalWhenever a new party wins the White House, its voters become more bullish on the stock market. Republicans felt confident under Bush, and Democrats felt confident under Obama. But until recently, these shifts in investor sentiment were relatively modest.
Episode 64: From Tehran to DC-The Fourth Turning Is Here

1 week ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -12:45Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. This week’s special edition dives deep into the Israel-Iran war: What’s happening, what it means, and where it might go next. We also check in on the latest signs of the Fourth Turning here at home. To unlock the full 70-minute episode, become a paid subscriber.
By the Numbers: Overdose Deaths Plummet

1 week ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe |Christian Ford
The Macro Show

3 weeks ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe

Dear readers,This morning, I guest-hosted The Macro Show with my friend Daryl Jones, Director of Research at Hedgeye. During the show, we tackled three key topics:One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA): The Real CostFertility & Marriage: Red Zone vs. Blue ZoneUS Population Trends by RegionWe hope you enjoy this 36-minute webcast, packed with fresh insights on these political and economic shifts. As always, stay curious!
America’s Top 100 Brands: Cheap Beats Politics

4 weeks ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe |Christian Ford

A recent Axios survey ranks the 100 most visible companies in America by reputation. This year, low prices were more important than political stances. —AxiosSince 2019, Axios and the Harris Poll have conducted an annual survey on corporate reputation. Respondents identify the two companies with the best reputations and the two companies with the worst reputations. These responses are aggregated to rank the 100 most visible brands in America. Here is a look at the top 10 brands in 2025.
Tradition vs. Inclusion: A Church Divided

1 month ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe |Christian Ford

A majority of U.S. Catholics believe the Church should become more inclusive. But the most devout Catholics say the opposite. —Pew Research Center Since Pope Francis' death, a familiar debate has reemerged among Catholics: Should the Church remain rooted in tradition, or should it aim for “inclusivity” by adopting progressive reforms? A new Pew survey asked American Catholics to weigh in, and the results reveal a sharp divide.
Prebiotic Sodas: Health Drink or Clever Marketing?

1 month ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe |Christian Ford

Prebiotic sodas are booming. While their health claims may be overstated, their appeal is cross-generational. —AxiosOver the past two decades, anti-calorie and anti-sugar initiatives have driven steady declines in milk, juice, and soda consumption. (See “Thirsty for a Change.”) But as traditional beverages lose their luster, niche brands and specialty products are moving in to take their place. The latest winner: prebiotic sodas.
Interview with David Lin

1 month ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe

Dear readers,In my recent appearance on the David Lin Report, we explored why global alliances like NATO may be fracturing — and how Trump’s nationalist vision fits into the larger cycle of history described by the Fourth Turning. It's a fast-paced 50-minute conversation packed with insights on where the world may be headed. I invite you to listen and le…
Trump's First 100 Days (Part 2)

1 month ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe

This morning, I filmed a special webcast on Trump's first 100 days in office with JT Taylor, Hedgeye's veteran Washington Policy Analyst, and Michael Blum, Hedgeye's President. Here are several of the topics we discussed:How are voters reacting to Trump’s boldest moves so far? Do they support his dismantling of federal programs and aggressive tariff agenda? On big-ticket issues like immigration, taxes, and foreign policy—where has Trump shown his hand, and where is he still undecided?
Millennials Put Coachella on Layaway

2 months ago | demographyunplugged.com | Neil Howe |Christian Ford

A majority of Coachella attendees used a payment plan to purchase their tickets, sparking a debate about Millennials’ financial literacy. —BillboardLast weekend marked the close of Coachella, Millennials’ favorite music festival. While headlines typically focus on celebrity sightings and fashion trends, this year, the spotlight shifted to a stat first reported by Billboard: an estimated 65% to 70% of attendees used a seller-designed payment plan to purchase their tickets (>$499).