• 2025 review of CRVS progress in Asia and the Pacific

    Members and Associate Members of ESCAP are currently undertaking a review of their progress since the inception of the Asia Pacific CRVS Decade in 2014. A questionnaire has been distributed to National CRVS focal points and should be returned to ESCAP by 15 September.

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  • 2024 Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Applied Research Training Initiative

    The CRVS applied research training (CART) initiative focuses on enhancing CRVS systems through supporting applied research on strategies, interventions, and tools. This involves designing projects to address practical questions, employing robust methodologies, and identifying key personnel for effective implementation and publication. The need to strengthen practitioners' research capacity is evident, as highlighted in the Asia-Pacific CRVS research forum held in 2023. 

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  • Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems Improvement Framework

    To meet the targets of the CRVS Decade, a Business Process Improvement approach can help improve and streamline Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. The CRVS Systems Improvement Framework help CRVS stakeholders assess, analyze and redesign, to improve user experience and produce timely vital statistics. 

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  • Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Inequality Assessments

    The Ministerial Declaration on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific emphasizes the need to address CRVS inequalities among hard-to-reach and marginalized populations, promoting universality and equity in civil registration regardless of factors such as gender, religion, or ethnicity. Countries are encouraged to conduct assessments to assess where such inequalities may exist.

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Follow CRVS news in Asia and the Pacific by subscribing to the CRVS Insight Newsletter

The CRVS community in Asia and the Pacific has reflected on where it stands at the midpoint of the CRVS Decade (2015-2024) during the Second Ministerial Conference. Following this celebration of progress, many of our partners and member countries are leading actions to fill the remaining gaps.

To learn more about CRVS in Asia and the Pacific, please subscribe to our newsletter, which offers a monthly panorama of CRVS actions throughout the region

Previous editions can be found here.

 

 

Read the midterm report

 

Characteristics, availability and uses of vital registration and other mortality data sources in post-democracy South Africa Paper

The value of good-quality mortality data for public health is widely acknowledged. While effective civil registration systems remains the ‘gold standard’ source for continuous mortality measurement, less than 25% of deaths are registered in most African countries. Alternative data collection systems can provide mortality data to complement those from civil registration, given an understanding of data source characteristics and data quality.

Cause of death on the death certificate in line with ICD-10, Quick reference guide

The section on the cause of death on the death certificate is identical worldwide. It has two parts - called Part I and Part II, and a section to record the time interval between the onset of each condition and the date of death. 
Part I - is used for diseases or conditions that form part of the sequence of events leading directly to death. 
Part II - is used for conditions which have no direct connection with the events leading to death but whose presence contributed to death.

Birth Certificate Content Review

The New South Wales Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages (“the Registry”) is reviewing the content of birth certificates in Australia. This review is being undertaken for the following reasons: To examine changes in how birth certificates are used; in consideration of how birth certificates can best reflect the changing composition of families in Australia; and in response to recommendations of the Senate Community Affairs Committee inquiry into the Commonwealth’s role in former adoption policies and practices.

Assessing the reliability of hospital-based cause-of-death statistics evidence-based guidelines for country application

The objective of this study is to synthesise the findings from a large number of studies that have used medical record reviews to validate the COD reported on the death certificate or through the vital registration system. Based on an analysis of a core set of these studies, we developed a methodological framework for medical record reviews for countries to follow for routinely validating their CODs.

Advocating for civil registration: guide to developing a business case for civil registration systems

This working paper provides practical information on the preparation and use of a business case in support of a civil registration system. The paper outlines a six-step approach to building the business case and comprises – assessing the current system; conducting research and formulating the arguments; identifying, analysing and engaging with stakeholders; and, presenting the case to the relevant decision-makers. The paper describes ideas for mobilising support for implementing civil registration systems. It includes a cost–benefit analysis to help decision-makers understand the short-term and long-term costs, benefits and impacts of a registration system.

What is CRVS?

Civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) is the continuous, permanent, compulsory and universal recording of the occurrence and characteristics of vital events of the population in accordance with the law. The actors in a CRVS system typically include the civil registration authorities, Ministry of Interior or Home Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, National Statistics Office and development partners.

Asia Pacific Population Journal

In this series of articles, the role of universal civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems is examined as an essential tool for good governance and inclusive development.  In the first article in the series, the case is made for investing in CRVS systems; the current situation in countries in the region is described, and the emergence and development of regional collaboration on CRVS is summarized.  In the second article, the actions taken in specific countries to strengthen their CRVS systems are highlighted, and the lessons learned are described, with several innovative approaches being showcased. The third article contains a description of the relationships between CRVS systems (civil registration and population databases in particular), legal identity, the realization of human rights and access to basic social protection, using country examples from the Asia-Pacific region for these purposes.  In the fourth and final article, the importance of building a sound evidence base for efforts to improve CRVS is highlighted, and a framework for prioritizing research activities is proposed. 

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