International Programs

Errata

• The data for Thailand posted in June 2010 on the IDB did not show the impact of HIV/AIDS on the population. The data posted for Thailand as of 12/28/2010 incorporate the impact of HIV/AIDS on the population.
• In the version of the IDB prior to June 28, 2010, there was an error in the output of infant deaths by sex from the Region tab for the table "Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality Rate, and Infant Deaths." The figures for male infant deaths were shown under the label "Infant Deaths: Female" and vice versa. This happened when either 1) countries were requested from the Regions tab or 2) regions were requested and the individual country data were downloaded through the Excel or CSV download. This problem has been corrected as of June 28, 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the International Data Base?
2. What types of data are available?
3. How can I download the entire data set?
4. What demographic resources are unique to the IDB?
5. How do I find information on fertility, mortality, or migration?
6. How do I find information about a country's age-sex structure?
7. How do I find population information on a specific country?
8. How do I find population information for a region?
9. How are the IDB's estimates and projections calculated?
10. Who uses the IDB?
11. Where can I find international information not available from the IDB, such as historical censuses, or the HIV/AIDS pandemic?
12. If I have additional questions/comments/suggestions, how do I contact the Census Bureau?
13. Is there a list of Release Notes available?

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1. What is the International Data Base?

The International Data Base (IDB) offers a variety of demographic indicators for countries and areas of the world with a population of 5,000 or more. The IDB has provided access to demographic data for over 25 years to governments, academics, other organizations, and the public. It is funded by organizations that sponsor the research of the Census Bureau's International Programs Center for Demographic and Economic Studies.

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2. What types of data are available?

The IDB provides many types of demographic data, including:

· Estimates and projections of:
   o Birth, death, and growth rates, migration rates, infant mortality, and life expectancy
   o Fertility rates
   o Total population and population by age and sex

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3. How can I download the entire data set?

The following ZIP file contains the complete data set which has currently been released and is used by the International Data Base tool.
IDB_DataSet.zip (5 MB).

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4. What demographic resources are unique to the IDB?

The demographic estimates and projections found in the International Data Base are the result of over 30 years of analysis of census, survey, vital statistics, and other data by Census Bureau demographers. The IDB differs from some other online resources in several ways. First, the estimates and projections of vital rates, vital events, and midyear population presented are based on careful evaluation of census and survey results and, in part because of this evaluation process and associated estimation processes, represent a set of consistent estimates and projections of population, fertility, mortality, and international migration. The IDB is not simply a compilation of estimates taken from other sources. Second, estimates from original sources are accurately dated, and derived estimates of fertility and mortality available from the IDB reflect that dating. Third, the projections are generated using the Census Bureau's Rural/Urban Projection (RUP) program, which projects population, by single years of age, for each calendar year beyond a base year. This means IDB fertility and mortality estimates pertain to specific years rather than being average values for 5-year periods. It also means that the impact of natural disasters, civil conflicts, and changes in the health climate in a country can be reflected in year-specific estimates of fertility, mortality, and migration found in the IDB. Finally, the data are accessible in multiple ways to meet different user needs.

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5. How do I find information on fertility, mortality, or migration?

The Data Access page allows you to get information on these topics by country or region. First, select whether you want data for countries or by regions. For country tables, select the "Country" tab, then the country and year(s) and press the "Submit" button. On the resulting page, select the "Tables" tab, select the table you're interested in, then click the "Submit" button to retrieve the data.

If you want data by region, on the Data Access page go to the "Region" tab. Select one or more countries or regions, the year(s) and how you would like the data aggregated then press the "Submit" button. Then select the table you want and press the "Submit" button.

Additional help can be found on our IDB Help page. However, for additional guidance, please call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov.

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6. How do I find information about a country's age-sex structure?

The Data Access page allows you to get information on these topics by country or region. First, select whether you want data for countries or by regions. For country tables, select the country and year(s). On the resulting page, select the "Tables" tab, then the table "Midyear Population by Age and Sex," then click the "Submit" button to retrieve the data.

If you want data by region, on the Data Access page go to the "Region" tab. Select one or more countries or regions, the year(s) and how you would like the data aggregated then press the "Submit" button. On the resulting page, select the "Table" tab, then the table "Midyear Population, by Age and Sex," then click the "Submit" button to retrieve the data.

Additional help can be found on our IDB Help page. However, for additional guidance, please call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov.

Population Pyramids
From the Data Access page select the "Country" tab, then the country and year(s) of interest and press the "Submit" button. Go to the "Population Pyramids" tab and you will see the dynamic pyramid followed by the pyramid(s) for the years you selected. You can select a different country and/or year(s) and click the "Submit" button to see the resulting pyramids.

For guidance, please visit ask.census.gov or call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free).

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7. How do I find population information on a specific country?

From the Data Access page you can select the "Country" tab to to access summary demographic data, tables, population pyramids and source information.

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8. How do I find population information for a region?

The IDB provides population information on a variety of topics for different regions of the world and allows the user to create his or her own country groupings.

If you want data by region, on the Data Access page go to the "Region" tab. Select one or more countries or regions, the year(s) and how you would like the data aggregated then press the "Submit" button. You can then select the desired table and press "Submit" to get the results.

Additional help can be found on our IDB Help page. However, for additional guidance, please call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov.

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9. How are the IDB's estimates and projections calculated?

The IDB's estimates and projections are prepared by Census Bureau demographers, who review a wide range of data, including censuses, surveys, and vital statistics provided by National Statistics Offices, and data on international migration and refugee movements. We also consider other information, such as public health efforts, socio-political circumstances, and historical events such as natural disasters and conflict.

For additional information, please see our Population Estimates and Projections Methodology page.

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10. Who uses the IDB?

Students and researchers, international organizations and governments, planners and businesses, and the public use the data to make informed decisions. The IDB is often cited in journal articles, reports, and other studies and is routinely used as a teaching resource. The IDB is a very popular demographic resource, receiving hundreds of thousands of data queries each month.

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11. Where can I find international information not available from the IDB, such as historical censuses, or the HIV/AIDS pandemic?

The Census Bureau library has an extensive collection of international statistical publications that may address your specific questions. The library is located in Suitland, MD and is open to the public. If you are interested in visiting our library, please contact (301) 763-1351. The Demographic Call Center (1-866-758-1060 (toll free)) may be able to suggest additional resources.

Information about additional products and services - including publications on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, global population change, and aging, as well as our technical assistance and training services relating to census and survey data collection and processing, and our software products - is available from the International Programs page.

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12. If I have additional questions/comments/suggestions, how do I contact the Census Bureau?

Please visit ask.census.gov or call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free).

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13. Is there a list of Release Notes available?

The Release Notes are available for each Data Release by following this link.

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Glossary

Age structure.

The distribution of a population according to age, usually by 5-year age groups.

Age-specific fertility rate.

The number of births during a year to women in a particular age group, usually per 1,000 women in a 5-year age group at midyear.

Aging.

An increase in the proportion of the population in the older ages. May also be measured as an increase in the median age of the population.

AIDS.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

ART.

Anti-retroviral therapy.

Births.

The number of live births occurring during a given calendar year.

Birth rate.

The average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 population at midyear. Also known as the crude birth rate.

Coale-Demeny model life tables.

A series of life tables depicting standard (or model) age patterns of mortality and changes in those patterns at different overall levels of mortality. These series were developed for four "regions" (North, East, South, and West) based on the degree to which the patterns reflected data from those regions of Europe. The models were based on data from all continents, but primarily from Europe.

Cohort.

A group of individuals born in the same calendar year or group of years. Also referred to as a birth cohort.

Components of change (of population).

Fertility, mortality, and migration.

Components of change (of population).

Fertility, mortality, and migration.

Count Question Resolution.

The Census Bureau's procedures and protocols for receiving, processing, and responding to challenges regarding officially-released counts.

Crude death rate.

The average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear.

Deaths.

The number of deaths occurring during a given calendar year.

Death rate.

The average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear. Also known as the crude death rate.

Dependency ratios.

A population’s dependency ratio, also known as the age dependency ratio and the total dependency ratio, is the combined child population (people under age 15) and elderly population (people ages 65 and above) per 100 people ages 15-64 (people “of labor force age”). The youth dependency ratio is the number of people under age 15 per 100 people ages 15-64. The elderly, or old age, dependency ratio is the number of people 65 and over per 100 people 15-64. Dependency ratios are also referred to as support ratios.

Dependent age groups.

People under age 15 and people 65 years of age or older.

Development category.

The classification of regions into “less developed” and “more developed” according to their general level of economic development. Countries are classified according to the grouping used by the United Nations. See references to these terms in the Glossary for details.

DHS.

Demographic and Health Survey.

Gross reproduction rate per woman.

The average number of daughters that would be born alive to a hypothetical cohort of women if they lived to the end of their reproductive years and if they experienced the some age-specific fertility throughout their lives that women in each age group experience in a given year or period of years.

Growth rate.

The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. Also known as population growth rate or average annual rate of growth.

High risk population.

Individuals at greatest risk of developing HIV/AIDS.

HIV.

Human immunodeficiency virus. The virus that causes AIDS.

Infant mortality rate.

The number of deaths of infants under 1 year of age from a cohort of 1,000 live births. Denoted 1q0 or IMR, it is the probability of dying between birth and exact age 1.

Less developed countries.

The “less developed” countries include all of Africa, all of Asia except Japan, the Transcaucasian and Central Asian republics, all of Latin America and the Caribbean, and all of Oceania except Australia and New Zealand. This category matches the “less developed country” classification employed by the United Nations. “Less developed” countries are sometimes referred to as “developing” countries.

Life expectancy at birth.

The average number of years a group of people born in the same year can be expected to live if mortality at each age remains constant in the future.

Life table.

A statistical table that follows a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 people born at the same time as they progress through successive ages, with the cohort reduced from one age to the next according to a set of death rates by age until all people eventually die.

Median age.

The midpoint age that separates the younger half of a population from the older half.

MICS.

Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.

Midyear population.

The population estimate for July 1 of the given year.

Modern methods of contraception.

Condoms, IUD’s, pills, vaginal methods (spermicides, diaphragms, or caps), injectables, and voluntary sterilization of a woman or her partner.

More developed countries.

The “more developed” countries and areas include all of North America and Europe plus Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. This category matches the “more developed” classification employed by the United Nations.

Natural increase.

The difference between the number of births and the number of deaths.

Net migration rate.

The difference between the number of migrants entering and those leaving a country in a year, per 1,000 midyear population. May also be expressed in percent. A positive figure is known as a net immigration rate and a negative figure as a net emigration rate.

Net number of migrants.

The difference between the number of migrants entering and those leaving a country in a year. A positive figure is known as net immigration and a negative figure as net emigration.

Pandemic.

A global epidemic.

Population pyramid.

A graphical representation of the age and sex distribution of a population. Numbers or proportions of males and females in each age group are plotted as horizontal bars with the males on the left and females on the right. Pyramids may be constructed to show single years of age or, as with the IDB pyramids, 5-year age groups.

Rate of natural increase.

The difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death rate, but usually expressed as a percent rather than per 1,000 population.

RHS.

Reproductive Health Survey.

Sex ratio at birth.

The ratio of male to female births.

Total fertility rate.

The average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given set of age-specific fertility rates.

Traditional methods of contraception.

Periodic abstinence, rhythm, withdrawal, douche, prolonged breastfeeding, and folk methods. Also known as natural methods.

UNAIDS.

The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS.

Under-5 mortality.

Number of deaths of children under 5 years of age from a cohort of 1,000 live births. Denoted 5q0, it is the probability of dying between birth and exact age 5.

UNHCR.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

UN model life tables.

A series of life tables depicting standard (or model) age patterns of mortality and changes in those patterns at different overall levels of mortality. These series were developed for five patterns: "Latin American," "Chilean," "South Asian," "Far Eastern," and "General" based on data from developing countries.

Vital events.

Births and deaths.

Vital rates.

Birth rates and death rates.

Population Estimates and Projections Methodology