The Population Reference Bureau (PRB)
What We Do
For nearly a century, PRB has helped partners across the globe use population data for good—to identify and invest in solutions that make people healthier and happier.
Our Impact
PRB Makes a Difference
Since 1929, we’ve worked with a range of partners in government, research, business, and philanthropy to tackle complex population and health challenges in communities across the globe. Together with our funders, PRB takes on projects focused on harnessing the power of data and storytelling for evidence-based decision-making. From the countless policies developed using our tools, materials, and technical support to the thousands of journalists and young researchers trained through our programs, PRB’s impact takes many forms. Interested in working together?
Our project history is long, but these recent projects encapsulate how our core approach makes a difference.
Demographic Projections & Analysis
- We partner with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to provide forecasts for housing, transportation, healthcare, and employment needs.
- We teamed up with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to identify population trends, economic challenges, and health inequities that support targeted interventions.
- Our Counting Women’s Work collaboration with the Centre Régional de Recherche en Economie Générationnelle (CREG) and University of California at Berkeley estimates the economic contributions of women’s unpaid care work in five countries to inform better policies.
Data Use & Measurement
- We briefed Congress on the maternal health crisis in the United States.
- We partnered with AARP to evaluate the data in their Livability Index, to measure how well communities meet the needs of people of all ages.
- We worked with local partners and advocates in 13 countries to generate 57 new family planning funding or policy commitments in 5 years.
Communications & Research Translation
- We trained young people in Malawi to use local radio to spark dialogue and hold leaders accountable on issues like violence against women, child marriage, and access to mental health services.
- We supported youth advocates in northern Nigeria to create an award-winning podcast to raise awareness of child marriage and gender-based violence.
- We helped establish a policy communications program at six regional centers of excellence in East and West Africa to advance population and reproductive health.
Defending Data Access & Integrity
- We brought together over 7,000 people to improve how they use the American Community Survey to make evidence-based decisions in their communities.
- PRB launched and operates the Federal Data Forum, a safe space for public data stakeholders to share information on threats to datasets, what to do when data aren’t available, and how to help.
Project Overview
PACE: Policy, Advocacy, and Communication Enhanced for Population and Reproductive Health
Empowering Evidence-Driven Advocacy
PRB's Advantage
For nearly a century, PRB has been regarded as a trusted resource for expertise and meaningful partnership. Our valued insights stem from PRB’s experienced staff, who are thought leaders, researchers, analysts, project implementers, and so much more. We are people you can rely on to put data into action.