Pekka Martikainen

Pekka Martikainen is a leading researcher in population health and demography, affiliated with the Population Research Unit at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki. He is also actively involved with the MaxHel Center and the Laboratory of Population Health, contributing to major research initiatives such as the Monitoring Mortality Inequalities Consortium and studies on immigrant-native health disparities.

His research focuses on social and economic determinants of health and mortality over the life course, using extensive Finnish register data. Key interests include fertility and family dynamics, health inequalities, migration and health, early-life determinants of health, and behavioral factors influencing mortality. His work often explores intergenerational linkages and the role of socioeconomic status in shaping health outcomes.

The most recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on mental health, genetic and social interactions, educational and occupational influences on health, and disparities in cancer and reproductive health. Studies frequently employ longitudinal, register-based designs across Nordic and European populations, highlighting cross-national comparative insights.

• Behavioral Determinants of Health and Mortality
• Costs and Gains of Postponing Parenthood
• Immigrant-Native Health Disparities Over the Life Course
• Linked Lives: Family and Socioeconomic Attainment
• Medically Assisted Reproduction
• Mortality Disparities at Subnational Level

His research has been published in top journals including The Lancet, Demography, Social Science and Medicine, and European Journal of Epidemiology. He collaborates extensively with researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and leads or contributes to multiple large-scale projects analyzing health and demographic trends in Finland and beyond.

Martikainen’s work informs public health policy and contributes to understanding how social structures and individual behaviors interact to shape population health and longevity. He plays a central role in advancing register-based demographic research in Europe.