For over 70 years, the U.S. Census Bureau has performed international analytical work and assisted in the collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, and use of statistics with counterpart governments in over 200 countries. That work occurs through the agency’s International Programs Center (IPC), which provides technical support and expertise to international statistical agencies looking to modernize or create a census for their country. This support includes designing the full census and survey life cycle and producing data tools and analytical products. IPC also offers:

• Training and expertise to enhance national statistical offices’ (NSO) capacities across the global statistical community through workshops and online resources.
• Population estimates and projections for over 200 countries and areas of the world.
• Research and analysis on international demographic topics such as fertility, mortality, migration, and aging.
• Capacity building and analysis focused on linking geospatial and statistical datasets.
• Workshops tailored to the needs of a country’s NSO to support creating localized solutions for statistical challenges.

• World Population Clock.
• The International Database (IDB).
• HIV/AIDS Review and Verification System (HARVEST) dashboard.
• Subnational population data by geographic area.
• Gridded population mapping.
• Select Topics in International Censuses (STICs).
• Select Topics in International Population and Health (STIPHs).
• International Population Vulnerability and Resilience.

The Census Bureau’s IPC provides various software and data tools that strengthen the capacity of NSOs including:

• An end-to-end software solution to capture, edit, and tabulate census and survey data— Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro).
• A software designed to analyze demographic data and produce population projections— Demographic Analysis and Population Projection System (DAPPS).
• A tool that measures the capacity of NSOs to conduct censuses or recurring household-based surveys— Tool for Assessing Statistical Capacity (TASC).
• Assessment tool designed to evaluate and document critical issues before the execution of a full population and housing census - Tool for Assessing Pilot Electronic Censuses (TAPEC).
• A set of applications designed to support NSOs in producing quality census dissemination products— Open–Source Dissemination System (OSDS).

Not directly. Countries receiving support from IPC collect their own data and release their own data products. IPC simply helps the other country’s statistical office understand and implement better practices for creating and running a census, based on international standards and the extensive experience of IPC staff. IPC does analyze publicly available data from other countries to release Census Bureau statistical products, like the World Population Clock. Find demographic indicators, population pyramids, mapping, and source information for countries and areas of the world with a population of 5,000 or more in the International Database.

To help the public answer fundamental questions about the people and places of our world. Baseline population data can inform program planning and policymaking, aid educators, and power research. Along with  the United Nations Population Division, the Census Bureau is one of the few organizations in the world that regularly estimates and projects the world’s population.

IPC does not conduct censuses or surveys in other countries. Rather, IPC provides capacity strengthening technical support to other countries, upon their request, as they conduct their own censuses and surveys.

The Census Bureau does not have appropriated funds to support IPC’s international work. Technical support to any country generally begins with a request made from an NSO to an organization that funds international development projects, like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or another donor agency. Typically, this involves a three-way partnership among the donor agency, the NSO, and the Census Bureau in setting objectives, designing a strategy, and developing a work plan for capacity building.

For more information, contact us at <pop.international@census.gov>.

The Census Bureau has permanent international training staff and part-time instructors drawn from around the Census Bureau and other institutions in the Washington, DC, area. Instructors who travel to host countries have experience working overseas and, typically, several years of experience with other operational divisions of the Census Bureau. The international staff consists of demographers, mathematical statisticians, survey statisticians, computer specialists, social science analysts, geographers, and other professionals. Online webinars and training are also available <www.census.gov/programs-surveys/international-programs/events/training.html>.

IPC provides support and training in English, Spanish, and French.