1. First Meeting of National Directors of Statistics and Health statistics for the Countries of the Americas, Buenos Aires 21-22 November 2005 The Rights Start to Life: a Statistical Analysis of Birth Registration Claudia Cappa, UNICEF NY

2. BIRTH REGISTRATION: A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT -Definition The permanent and official recording of a childs existence by the state -International legal framework The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents (1989, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – CRC, art 7). -Goal To develop systems to ensure the registration of every child at or shortly after birth, and fulfill his or her right to acquire a name and a nationality, in accordance with national laws and relevant international instruments (World Fit for Children, WFFC).

3. GLOBAL ESTIMATES Source: UNICEF estimates based on household surveys and vital registration systems.

4. OBJECTIVES Present available empirical evidence obtained through household surveys in order to: estimate national levels of birth registration analyze differentials in birth registration rates according to socio- economic and demographic variables, as well as proximate variables identify the factors associated with birth registration Discuss the results on the relationship between levels of birth registration and other health, education and poverty indicators.

5. DATA AND METHODOLOGY Data sources: MICS2 and DHS (1999-2003) Geographical coverage: 64 countries (10 in LA) Population: children 0-59 months of age IndicatorNumeratorDenominator Birth registrationNumber of children aged 0-59 whose birth was declared registered Total number of children aged 0-59 months surveyed

6. MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURVEY Household surveys designed to collect data on children and women (nutrition, health, education, family environment, child work, etc.) Methodology developed by UNICEF to produce data needed to report on agreed indicators (WSC, MDGs, WFFC, etc.) Capable of producing internationally comparable estimates of indicators Flexible to suit country requirements: core questionnaires + additional situation-specific modules, and optional modules Collaboration with DHS survey programme Two rounds completed. Third round (MICS3) is ongoing (2005-2006)

7. MICS MODULE ON BIRTH REGITRATION

8. DHS MODULE ON BIRTH REGISTRATION Variable length (under the section on reproduction) Peru Nicaragua

9. NATIONAL LEVELS OF BIRTH REGISTRATION FROM HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS

10. MICS/DHS DATA ON BIRTH REGISTRATION IN THE AMERICAS 69.7 - 81.4 69.7% – 81.4% 81.5% - 91.8% 91.9% - 94.9% 95.0% - 96.5% No DHS/MICS data Guyana96.5 Suriname94.9 Trinidad & Tobago94.9 Peru92.5 Venezuela91.8 Colombia91.4 Bolivia81.6 Nicaragua81.4 Dominican Republic74.6 Haiti69.7

11. REASONS FOR NON-REGISTRATION Venezuela Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua Guyana, Suriname

12. DIFFERENTIALS OF BIRTH REGISTRATION: SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES GENDER Similar rates of birth registration between girls and boys.

13. DIFFERENTIALS OF BIRTH REGISTRATION: SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES PLACE OF RESIDENCE Urban areas have higher birth registration rates

14. DIFFERENTIALS OF BIRTH REGISTRATION: SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES HOUSEHOLD WEALTH Poverty is associated with low levels of birth registration

15. DIFFERENTIALS OF BIRTH REGISTRATION: SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES MOTHERS LEVEL OF EDUCATION Positive correlation between the mothers educational level and her childs likelihood to be registered

16. DIFFERENTIALS OF BIRTH REGISTRATION:PROXIMATE VARIABLES Sample birth registration levels, according to received vaccinations

17. BIRTH REGISTRATION MALNUTRITION AND MORTALITY

18. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS UNREGISTERED CHILD Poor Live in rural areasMothers with low level of education Lower level of vaccination and vitamin A provision Higher level of malnutrition and mortality rates Do not attend childhood education Born without support of health professionals Limited access to health care Need for an integrated approach: education, maternal and child health, early childhood development