Global Demographic Divide

 Birth and death rates differ dramatically among the nation's countries, often reflecting a gulf between have and have-not nations. This Population Bulletin looks at the factors fueling the differential growth causing the demographic divide, at the countries in between the two extremes, which contain the majority of the world's populations in 2005. (BUL60.4, December 2005)

Regional Differences in Age Patterns of Unsafe Abortion Suggest Need for Tailored Interventions
The ages at which women have unsafe abortions—those abortions performed by unskilled practitioners in unhygienic conditions—differ markedly among regions in the developing world. And understanding these disparate age patterns could help in developing programs that reach women most in need of contraceptive services and post-abortion care. (October 2005)

Mexican Migrant Communities May Be on Verge of HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Both migrants in the United States as well as those returning to Mexico show higher levels of infection than the general Mexican population. (September 2005)

2005 World Population Data Sheet

 Extreme poverty and environmental and health disparities still plague many countries. The Data Sheet provides up-to-date demographic, health, and environment data for all the countries and major regions of the world. (August 2005)

Unsafe Abortion: Facts and Figures (PDF: 151KB)

 This guide provides data and other information to help shed light on the public health aspects of unsafe abortion, which claims the lives of tens of thousands of women annually and leaves many times that number with chronic and often irreversible health problems. (August 2005)

Diaries from the Field: Chevannes in Jamaica
Barry Chevannes, a professor of social anthropology and former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, relates how his initial involvement in gender studies became a deep interest in the linkages between the construction of masculinity and chronic violence. (June 2005)

Diaries from the Field: Keijzer in Mexico
Benno de Keijzer, a physician and founder of the Mexico-based Salud y Género, explores how reproductive health work must address issues related to gender—the economic, social, political, and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male or female. (April 2005)

Brazil's AIDS Policies Tightly Link Prevention and Treatment
Brazil's condom-distribution effort and the widespread free distribution of antiretroviral drugs to those who need them are two policies that are among the most effective in the world in fighting AIDS. (March 2005)

Women of Our World 2005 (PDF: 255KB)

 The situation of women around the world is gaining prominence in national and international policy debates. The last half-century has seen major gains in women's health, education, and rights, but progress has been slow or uneven in many areas. Disparities between men and women are still pronounced in the poorest regions and countries of the world. This data sheet presents indicators of women's status and progress in nearly 180 countries, with a focus on demography, reproductive health, education, work, and public life. (March 2005)

In Harm's Way: Hurricanes, Population Trends, and Environmental Change
This year's devastating tropical storms show how population growth and socioeconomic conditions can magnify environmental disasters. (October 2004)