United Nations World Programme of Population and Housing Censuses 1995-2004

Demographic and Social Statistics Branch Statistics Division, DESA First meeting of national directors of statistics and health statistics for the countries of the Americas (RD-2005), PAHO Buenos Aires, Argentina, 21 – 22 November 2005 Demographic and Social Statistics Branch Statistics Division, DESA United Nations, New York

National reporting of Census Data (1995-2004) For example, only 23 out of 55 African countries ever reported data by age and sex. LEGEND Census conducted No census conducted Source: United Nations Demographic Yearbook Database, 2005

National reporting of Census Data (1995-2004) : Total population LEGEND Total population reported Census conducted No census conducted Source: United Nations Demographic Yearbook Database, 2005

National reporting of Census Data (1995-2004): Total Population by age and sex In Africa, only 23 out of 55 countries or areas ever reported data on population by sex and age, representing 59 percent of the region’s population. Few countries of Africa have thus far based their national estimates of total population by age and sex on census data from the 1995-2004 period. LEGEND Total population by sex and age reported No total population by sex and age reported Source: United Nations, World’s Women 2005: Progress in Statistics

Total population, births and deaths 1995-2003 (% World Coverage) Between 1995 and 2003, 189 countries or areas, representing 98 percent of the world population, reported total population to the UNSD at least one. Of those, 179 reported total population by sex and 151 reported total population by sex and age; however, only 83 countries or areas, representing a mere 66 percent of the world population, reported population by sex and age at least five times in the nine-year period. Source: United Nations, World’s Women 2005: Progress in Statistics

Censuses conducted do not always produce statistics Things to Remember Censuses conducted do not always produce statistics Statistics are important development tools, and also reflect levels of development World-wide, national reporting is incomplete When additional census cross-tabulations are requested, countries drop out National censuses do not always produce statistics. Delays between the receipt of totals and breakdowns by age and sex may be great. Statistics are important development tools The Beijing Platform of Action, the ICPD and Millenium Development Goals are produced using tatistics reported by national statistical authorities. Statistical indicators may be based on incomplete and inadequate national reporting and produced by weak national statistical systems. World-wide, national reporting is incomplete. Output-oriented goals require multiple sources of information to complete statistical profiles. When additional cross-tabulations are requested, countries drop out. IUSSP should be a voice for weak statistical systems and should work to support census programmes, given the importance of these data to demographic concerns. United Nations Expert Group meeting to review the Principles and Recommendations of Population and Housing Censuses 22-26 August 2005; New York.

Current state of population statistics The size and sex –age composition have important implication on the situation of women and men, girls and boys Also used for calculation of rates and other indicators

National reporting of Census Data: Population by level of disaggregation Number of countries or areas that reported population by level of disaggregation at least once and by sex and age for at least five years between 1995 and 2003 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Total population By sex By sex and age By sex and age for at least five years. Reported at least once Number of countries or areas Source: World’s Women 2005: Progress in Statistics

Deaths by cause (1) About 110 countries out of 204 reported cause of death, by sex and age, at least once between 1995-2003 Representing 59 % of the world population Although reporting throughout the periods shown in the graph has remained the same, frequency has somewhat improved

Deaths by cause (2) Number of countries or areas that reported deaths by cause, sex and age, by number of years data were reported Number of countries or areas Source: Prepared by the United Nations Statistics Division, DESA, based on data from the World Health Organization, WHO Mortality database (December 2004).

Civil registration & Vital Statistics (1) Civil registration is a continuous, permanent, compulsory and universal recording of occurrence & characteristics of vital events Example, births deaths and marriages In South America 96 % 0f the population reside in a country or area that reported births by age of mother In Africa 80% of the population reside in a country that did not report births by age of mother

Civil registration & Vital Statistics (2) Patterns of coverage 90 % or over coverage Partial coverage e.g. only in urban areas Non existent

Civil registration & Vital Statistics (3) Percentage of the population in countries or areas that reported births by sex of child at least once between 1995 and 2003, by region 20 40 60 80 100 Europe North America South Oceania Africa Asia World Population (Percentage) Source: World’s Women 2005: Progress in Statistics

Civil registration & Vital Statistics (4) BIRTH registration coverage - 2001 update Source: Demographic and Social Statistics Branch, UNSD

Civil registration & Vital Statistics (5) BIRTH registration coverage - 2001 update Source: Demographic and Social Statistics Branch, UNSD