Ceped (for “Population and Development Center”) was founded in 1988 at the behest of the Ministry of Cooperation to improve coordination of French programs in the field. Established as a Scientific Interest Grouping (GIS), it was successively headed by Francis Gendreau (IRD), Jacques Vallin (Ined), Alain Léry (INSEE), and André Quesnel (IRD).
In 2008, as part of the transformation of the French research and university system, GIS CEPED was turned into a Joint Research Unit (UMR) comprising Paris Descartes University, IRD, and Ined.
Yves Charbit (Paris Descartes University) was appointed director of Ceped by the Paris Descartes University, IRD, and Ined, and served from 2008 to 2013. Étienne Gérard (IRD) replaced him on January 1, 2014.
Since 2015, Ined is not member of Ceped.