Disappearing people: a global demographic data crisis threatens public policy

Espey, Jessica M., Tatem, Andrew J. and Thomson, Dana R. (2025) Disappearing people: a global demographic data crisis threatens public policy. Science, 388 (6753), 1277-1280. (doi:10.1126/science.adx8683).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Every day, decisions that affect our lives—such as where to locate hospitals and how to allocate resources for schools—depend on knowing how many people live where and who they are; for example, their ages, occupations, living conditions, and needs. Such core demographic data in most countries come from a census, a count of the population usually conducted every 10 years. But something alarming is happening to many of these critical data sources. As widely discussed at the United Nations (UN) Statistical Commission meeting in New York in March, fewer countries have managed to complete a census in recent years. And even when they are conducted, censuses have been shown to undercount members of certain groups in important ways. Redressing this predicament requires investment and technological solutions alongside extensive political outreach, citizen engagement, and new partnerships.

Text

pfEspey30 May Final Clean - Accepted Manuscript

Available under License University of Southampton Accepted Manuscript Licence.

Download (64kB)