To build a better tomorrow, communities need insights they can count on.
Whether forecasting global projections or local estimates, we deliver the reliable data that leaders need to plan for what’s next.
Why It Matters
Good planning starts with trusted numbers. Leaders need to know how populations are changing, from where people live to how fast communities are growing or aging, and which groups are at risk of being overlooked in policymaking. Without this information, resources can be wasted, vulnerable groups overlooked, and communities left unprepared. That’s where PRB comes in.
How We Drive Change
PRB provides reliable estimates and forecasts so that policies and plans are based on facts, not guesswork. Our work includes:
Delivering forward-looking data on people, health, housing, and jobs for smarter long-term planning.
Producing accurate estimates of vulnerable and at-risk populations so no group is left out of policy and planning.
Bringing projections to life with easy-to-understand charts, maps, and key takeaways that highlight patterns and help set priorities.
A trusted global reference on demographic trends since 1962. PRB’s World Population Data Sheet tracks population size, birth rates, life expectancy, and other critical indicators across more than 200 countries and territories. Widely used by classrooms, newsrooms, and governments, it helps people make sense of population change and its impact on the world. More than 1.3 million people visit the World Population Data Sheet online each year. Note: This resource is at risk—donate today to keep it going.
Regional and Local Planning
A forecasting service for governments and planners. PRB provides projections on population, housing, service needs, and employment to agencies and associations such as the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and Southern California Association of Governments. These forecasts inform decisions for millions of residents across California, shaping how regions plan schools, roads, and public transit.
A longstanding partnership to track demographic and economic change in Appalachia. For years, PRB has produced the ARC Chartbook, often called the “demographic bible” of the region, providing a clear picture of population, health, and economic trends. Today, we’ve expanded this work with new migration analysis to show how in-and out-flows of people are shaping the region’s future.
In partnership with the Inter-University Council of East Africa, Education Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Association of African Universities, PRB is investigating the scale and nature of the challenges affecting the quality of higher education in the East African Community. Ultimately, our findings will help local institutions recruit and retain quality faculty members—and deliver a better educational experience to students. To date, we’ve trained 12 researchers from six countries to collect and analyze data, published research on existing and potential solutions, and assessed the impact of COVID-19 on faculty challenges.
An initiative to improve Census accuracy. Ahead of the 2020 count, PRB identified groups, especially young children and noncitizens, most at risk of being missed. Advocacy groups, philanthropic donors, and local governments used these findings to target outreach, helping ensure fairer representation and resource allocation.
Population Trends and Analysis
We dig behind the data to reveal emerging population trends that matter for policy and planning. We also share our insights freely with the public, boosting demographic literacy and giving individuals the context they need to be informed citizens. (See recent analyses on immigration, population growth, and global population trends.)
Planning for the Future
At PRB, we believe that population data must serve the people it describes. From forecasting future transit demand in growing cities to projecting enrollment shifts across school districts, our work helps leaders see what’s happening and what’s ahead.
