Statistical Papers - United Nations (Ser. A), Population and Vital Statistics Report

This data booklet presents key population indicators at the global and regional levels and highlights current and future patterns and trends of fertility, mortality and international migration. Data presented in this booklet are based on the 2019 Revision of the World Population Prospects, the latest global demographic estimates, and projections prepared by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. The 2019 Revision provides a comprehensive set of demographic data and indicators to assess population trends at the global, regional and national levels and to calculate many other key indicators commonly used by the United Nations system.

The Population and Vital Statistics Report presents most recent data on population size (total, male and female) from the latest available census of the population, national official population estimates and the number and rate (births, deaths and infant deaths) for the latest available year within the past 15 years. It also presents United Nations estimates of the mid-year population of the world, and its major areas and regions.

Drawing on information published in the World Population Policies Database, this data booklet provides up-to-date information on government policies on reproductive health issues, including access to family planning, policies to promote sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, laws on abortion and programmes to reduce maternal mortality, for all 193 Member States, 2 Observer States and 2 non-member States of the United Nations. The booklet also provides latest estimates of contraceptive use and unmet need, maternal mortality ratio, antenatal care and delivery care, adolescent fertility and other selected indicators. The Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs was established to play an active role in the intergovernmental dialogue on population and development, producing constantly updated demographic estimates and projections for all countries, including data essential for the monitoring of development around the world.

Accurate, consistent and timely data on global trends in population age structure are critical for assessing current and future needs with respect to population ageing and for setting policy priorities to promote the well-being of the growing number and share of older persons in the population. This publication presents the highlights of the World Population Ageing 2017 report, which summarizes the trends in population ageing drawn from the latest United Nations estimates and projections of population by age and sex, as published in World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision. The present Highlights includes a special focus on trends in the household living arrangements of older persons – whether alone, with a spouse or with own children – reflecting newly compiled estimates from the United Nations Database on the Living Arrangements of Older Persons, 2017.

This report presents the highlights of the International Migration which contains the latest quinquennial estimates of international migrant stock for 232 countries or areas of the world. The annex in these Highlights provides recently collected data on the estimated number of international migrants, the percentage of migrants in the total population, the percentage of female migrants, and the median age of migrants for 232 countries or areas of the world. The Population Division of the United nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs provides the international community with timely and accessible population data and analysis of population trends and development outcomes for all countries and areas of the world. To this end, the Division undertakes regular studies of population size and characteristics and of all three components of population change (fertility, mortality and migration). The work of the Division also contributes to strengthening the capacity of Member States to monitor population trends and to address current and emerging population issues.

Accurate, consistent and timely data on global trends in population age structure are critical for assessing current and future needs with respect to population ageing and for setting policy priorities to promote the well-being of the growing number and share of older persons in the population. This publication summarizes the trends in population ageing drawn from the latest United Nations estimates and projections of population by age and sex of 233 countries or areas, as published in World Population Prospects: the 2015 Revision. The report focuses in particular on the period from 2015 to 2030, the implementation period identified for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and discusses some implications of trends in the number and share of older persons for development planning, including with respect to poverty eradication and economic growth, social protection, and the health and well-being of older persons.

In September 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 ambitious goals to ensure a sustainable future for humanity. The Sustainable Development Goals, together with 169 targets that further specify the achievements expected, will guide the actions of Governments and the development community through 2030. Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the goals and targets will be crucial to guiding action. Reliable and timely demographic information is essential for effective monitoring. The present report reviews the current status of demographic evidence and its capacity to support monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals. It focuses on the core systems generating demographic data and describes how the “data revolution” has already improved their performance and the potential for accelerating such improvements. In addition, the report underscores that open access to anonymized micro data and routine use of Geo-referencing in data collection are necessary to expand the use of demographic data. Geo-referencing makes possible the integration of diverse data sets and facilitates disaggregation and the incorporation of big data in analyses and modelling. It also highlights the role of institutions producing consistent and comparable sets of demographic indicators essential for monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals globally.

The Population and Vital Statistics Report presents most recent data on population size (total, male and female) from the latest available census of the population, national official population estimates and the number and rate (births, deaths and infant deaths) for the latest available year within the past 15 years. It also presents United Nations estimates of the mid-year population of the world, and its major areas and regions.

This Spatial Distribution and Urbanization Policies 2015 Data Booklet provides an overview of key aspects of population policies and dynamics for 197 countries since the mid-1970s.