Civil registration Vs other data collection methods and techniques providing vital statistics and rates

Abstract

This paper presents, first, an overview to collect vital statistics and rates through the civil registration method, followed by the various approaches to collect fertility, nuptiality and mortality data through population censuses y and sample surveys of various types (a single-round retrospective survey, a multi-round survey or a dual-records system. The advantages and limitations of data from these methods are discussed in the light of past experiences around the world. Also addressed is the potential of population censuses and surveys to overcome some of the most serious errors and biases in order to obtain reliable data, at least on the major subdivisions of the country.