1. What is the International Data Base?
2. What types of data are available?
3. What demographic resources are unique to the IDB?
4. How do I find information on fertility, mortality, or
migration?
5. How do I find information about a country's age-sex
structure?
6. How do I find population information on a specific
country?
7. How do I find population information for a region?
8. How are the IDB's estimates and projections calculated?
9. Who uses the IDB?
10. Where can I find international information not available from the IDB,
such as historical censuses, or the HIV/AIDS pandemic?
11. If I have additional questions/comments/suggestions, how
do I contact the Census Bureau?
1. What is the International Data Base?
The International Data Base (IDB) offers a variety of demographic indicators for 226 countries and areas of the world. 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.
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
· Population by age and sex from national population censuses
· Marital status by age and sex from national population censuses and surveys
· Contraceptive prevalence data from surveys and service statistics
3. 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.
4. How do I find information on fertility, mortality, or migration?
The IDB Tables 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 desired output format. On the resulting page, select the table you're interested in, then a country or multiple countries, and finally the timeframe for which you would like the data, then click the "GO" button to retrieve the data.
If you want data by region, on the IDB Tables page go to the "Data Tables by Region" section. Select one table and the desired output format then press the "Submit Query" button. You will then need to indicate (among other things) how to aggregate the data (create regions), whether you want data by region, country, or both, as well as which regions or countries you want to look at, and the timeframe. Once you have made all your selections, click the "GO" button.
We have created additional information that may assist you, located as the "Help" link next to the type of query or on the page where you specify the data that you are requesting. However, for additional guidance, please call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov.
5. How do I find information about a country's age-sex structure?
The IDB allows you to extract population by age and sex using standard 5-year age groups, other predefined groups, or user-defined age groups. Additionally, you can access population pyramids, which will graphically display a population's age and sex structure.
5-Year Age Groups
From the IDB Tables page, go to the "Tables by
Country" sections and select Display, Spreadsheet, or User Configurable
output format. Next, choose table 094 (Midyear Population by Age and Sex), then
one or more countries and year(s). Click the "GO" button to retrieve
the data. Enumerated and Adjusted census populations, usually in 5-year age
groups, are also available from table 004.
User-Defined and
Predefined Age Groups
Go to the IDB Tables page. First, in the "Tables
by Region" section choose table 094 (Midyear Population by Age and Sex),
and click the "Submit Query" button. Second, choose one of eight predefined age
groupings or create your own custom age groupings (using the help feature if
necessary), then specify any additional information (Population and sex ratio,
Percent, or Median ages). Third, choose whether to display information for a
group of countries (comprising a region) or for individual regions or
countries. Then choose one or more defined regions or countries to be used,
name any region you are defining, select one or more years, and click the
"GO" button.
Population Pyramids
From the Population Pyramids page select the
country you're interested in, the type of output, graph size, and click the
"Submit Query" button.
For guidance, please visit ask.census.gov or call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free).
6. How do I find population information on a specific country?
The Country Summary page allows you to access summary demographic data and population pyramids, showing the age/sex composition, for the current year and 2025 for the country of your choice. The same page also provides easy access to additional data tables and pyramids for the selected country.
If you have additional questions, you may find the data you're looking for on the IDB Tables page.
7. 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.
You can access this data from the IDB Tables page. From the "Data Tables by Region" section, first, select the table you're interested in and the output type and click the "Submit Query" button. Then select the region and/or countries you're interested in, how to aggregate them, whether to display regions, countries, or both. You can then select the timeframe for which you would like the data, and click the "GO" button to retrieve the data.
We have created additional information that may assist you, located as the "Help" link next to the query that you have requested. Additionally the IDB Tables by Region Help section may be of assistance. However, for additional guidance, please visit ask.census.gov or call the Demographic Call Center at 1-866-758-1060 (toll free).
8. 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.
9. 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 nearly 400,000 data queries each month.
10. 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 IPC 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 Center page.
11. 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).
Note: Data updated 6-18-2008 (Release notes). Latest U.S. projections not included.
