Top PRB Web Content for 2009
PRB's 2009 World Population Data Sheet and related stories were the most frequently viewed items from 2009 on PRB's website. (January 2010)

Ethiopia at a Crossroads: Demography, Gender, and Development
This policy brief describes a study conducted by the World Bank in 2006, Capturing the Demographic Bonus in Ethiopia, on behalf of the government of Ethiopia, to examine scenarios that could best fuel economic development, balance population and resources, and slow the rate of population growth. (December 2009)

Four Scenarios for U.S. Population Growth
The U.S. population is projected to increase over the next four decades, but according to new supplemental projections from the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate of increase depends largely on future trends in international migration. The U.S. population currently stands at 308 million, but could increase to 399 million, 423 million, or 458 million by 2050 depending on immigration trends over the next 40 years. (December 2009)

Premature Births Help Explain Higher U.S. Infant Mortality Rate
The United States—one of the world's wealthiest countries—consistently has higher infant mortality rates than most other developed countries. In 2005, 29 countries had lower rates, including Cuba and Poland. The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics finds that a higher rate of premature births in the United States is the main reason for this poor ranking on infant mortality. (December 2009)

Winds of Demographic Change in Afghanistan?
For a long time, Afghanistan has been a country with a high and stable birth rate, a country where women averaged about eight children each, and a country in which one-fourth of its children were likely to die before reaching their fifth birthday. But in recent years, these once-stable trends appear to be changing. Given the extensive and growing media coverage that Afghanistan's political situation receives, it is important to take a close look at its demographic situation as well. (December 2009)

Religious, Ethnic, and Regional Factors of High Fertility in Ethiopia
A common perception in Ethiopia is more rapid population growth among the Muslims than among Christians, potentially tipping the balance toward Ethiopia becoming a majority Muslim country soon. However, there is little research and few reliable assessments in Ethiopia on the demography of religion. (December 2009)

Distilled Demographics: Addressing Population Myths
Demography can be complicated and confusing. The media can discuss population issues based on false assumptions and interpretations without realizing it. Statistics can be used to pursue political points of view. "Distilled Demographics," PRB's video series, highlights key demographic concepts such as fertility, mortality, and migration. Through these videos, each under 10 minutes, you can learn demography's real-world application and impact. In this second video in the series, PRB senior demographer Carl Haub dispels common population myths with facts. Myth 1: There was no population growth problem in the 1960s and 1970s. Myth 2: The world's population is not growing and today's problem is low birth rates. Myth 3: Europe will be predominately Muslim by 2050. (December 2009)

The Demographic and Health Surveys at 25 Years and Beyond
For 25 years, the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program has provided population and health information to plan, monitor, and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. But the largest sample survey program in history is facing a transition. Populations in the developing countries that these surveys describe are changing and policy priorities continue to evolve, calling for different data. What do these changes mean for those who conduct, analyze, and use the DHS? What are the tradeoffs and decisions facing those who collect or use population and health data in developing countries? A panel of three experts examined these issues in a discussion to kick off the 2009-2010 PRB Policy Seminar Series. (October 2009)

What Is a City? What Is Urbanization?
In 2008, the United Nations announced that 50 percent of the world's population now lives in urban areas. However, only about 5 percent of world population lives in the largest cities. The fact that over half of the world's population lives in places termed urban is a notable development, to be sure. But, at the same time, it is useful and important to know just how the term "urban" is defined. (October 2009)

Distilled Demographics: Deciphering Population Pyramids
"Distilled Demographics," PRB's video series, highlights key demographic concepts such as fertility, mortality, and migration. Through these videos, each under 10 minutes, you can learn demography's real-world application and impact. In this first video, "Deciphering Population Pyramids," PRB senior demographer Carl Haub shows how population pyramids give us a snapshot of a country's demographic profile. But what do they tell us about a country's past and future? (October 2009)