Sidney Goldstein was born in New London, Connecticut; he attended the University of Connecticut, graduating with high distinction (and a senior honors book prize) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1949, and then completing a Master of Arts degree in 1951.
[1][2][3] He then completed his doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania; his PhD was awarded in 1953.
At Brown, he also founded the Population Studies and Training Center in 1960 and served as its first director until 1989.
[7][8] Goldstein's research has focused on population distribution, urbanization and internal migration, especially in Southeast Asia and China and in relation to Jewish demography.
He contributed significantly to the field with the development of the concept of repeat migration ... [and] pioneered new techniques for the collection and recording of demographic data, including the use of administrative and other records to complement surveys.