The largest magnetic field encountered in the observable Universe can be found in neutron stars, in particular in radio pulsars and magnetars. While recent discoveries have slowly started to blur the distinction between these two classes of highly magnetized neutron stars, it is possible that both types of sources are linked via an evolutionary sequence. Indications for this to be the case are obtained from observations of the spin-evolution of pulsars. It is found that most young pulsars are heading across the top of the main distribution of radio pulsars in the P–Ṗ-diagram, suggesting that at least a sub-class of young pulsars may evolve into objects with magnetar-like magnetic field strengths. Part of this evolutionary sequence could be represented by RRATs which appear to share at least in parts properties with both pulsars and magnetars.
