Select Topics in International Population and Health

On July 11, we celebrate World Population Day. To mark the occasion, we have selected the following topic among our International Population and Health resources as the first of four mailings this month. 

Population Estimates and Projections

Population estimates and projections are essential for tracking trends in health and socioeconomic development and directing resources to where they are most needed. Yet such estimates may vary among those who provide them, and the reasons for such differences are often unclear.

In this report, we begin with a review of data sources and methodologies, all of which typically rely on the demographic balancing equation, a means of accounting for population change through births, deaths, and migration. We also identify various providers of population estimates and projections, similarities and differences in their assessments of population change, as well as other relevant issues.

The Select Topics in International Population and Health series discusses timely issues for National Statistical Offices and Ministries of Health in low- and middle-income countries related to demographic analysis and the use of population and health data – especially those data derived from population censuses, household surveys, and civil registration and vital statistics systems.

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In Partnership with USAID

The Select Topics in International Population and Health series is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and published by the U.S. Census Bureau’s International Programs Center.

About the International Programs Center of the U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts demographic, economic, and geographic studies of other countries and strengthens statistical development around the world through technical assistance, training, and software products. For over 70 years, the Census Bureau has performed international analytical work and assisted in the collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, and use of statistics with counterpart governments in over 100 countries.

For more information, please visit our website: International Programs Center (census.gov).