International vital statistics: a resource guide

Abstract

While the concept of vital statistics is rich in meaning, standardization of these valuable data has eluded governments, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), and demographic researchers. Primarily due to discrepancies of sociopolitical systems and availability of resources, international vital statistics are diverse and variant in terms of vital classification and registration and data processing and reporting. That said, birth, death, marriage, and divorce data are generally included in reported vital statistics. In recent decades, research institutes, universities, IGOs particularly the United Nations (UN), and NGOs have been working hard to organize, collect, and disseminate vital statistics from developing countries. This article analytically presents an overview of global patterns of vital registrations and numerations. It examines the major resources of international vital statistics, including registers, surveys, and print and digital materials. This literature presents a selection of surveys, monographs, serials, periodicals, databases, portals, and homepages based on their relevancy to information and scholarship related to international vital statistics.

Citation

Wang, C. (2003), "International vital statistics: a resource guide", Collection Building, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 53-59. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604950310469976