The publication represents the perceptions of 90 governments who replied to an inquiry, which contained 214 questions about population. The main sections of the report are: population growth, size and age structure; health and mortality; fertility, reproductive health and the family; international migration; national population policies and the implementation of the programme of action of the international conference on population and development.

The population and housing census is part of an integrated national statistical system, which may include other censuses (for example, agriculture), surveys, registers and administrative files. It provides, at regular intervals, the benchmark for population count at national and local levels. For small geographical areas or sub-populations, it may represent the only source of information for certain social, demographic and economic characteristics. For many countries the census also provides a solid framework to develop sampling frames. This publication represents one of the pillars for data collection on the number and characteristics of the population of a country.

The publication is an international standard on the design and operation of an efficient and accurate vital statistics system at national level. It provides guidelines on collection, compiling and disseminating vital statistics. More specifically it contains (a) basic principles for a vital statistics system; (b) uses of vital statistics and civil registration records; (c) topics to be covered in a vital statistics system; (d) sources of vital statistics and how they function; (e) quality assurance in the vital statistics system and (f) strategies in improving civil registration and vital statistics systems in countries. It also informs policy makers and the general public on the importance of vital statistics and hence further improving the vital statistics system.

The general trends of rapid population growth, sustained but uneven economic improvement, and environmental degradation, are well known. Population and development policies are vital components of action needed to ensure sustainable development and to safeguard the environment. The topics investigated in this report include: the evolution of population and the environment at major UN conferences; trends in population, environment and development; government views; health, mortality, fertility and the environment; urbanization.

This series focuses on population studies carried out by the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other organizations. This issue deals with the guidelines for the projection of fertility. The publication aims to increase understanding of likely fertility trends in the diverse countries of the world.