Advancing Research to Inform Reproductive Health Policies in the Middle East and North Africa
This policy brief discusses current research needs in the MENA region, drawing in part from a 2007 report produced by the Global Health Forum for Health Research and the World Health Organization, Research Issues in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Low- and Middle-Income Countries. It also presents a framework that illustrates how scientific evidence can be used in the policymaking process to change policies and improve programs that will ultimately improve people's sexual and reproductive health. (July 2008)

Africa's Youthful Population: Risk or Opportunity?

 Africa's young people will be the driving force behind economic prosperity in future decades, but only if policies and programs are in place to enhance their opportunities and encourage smaller families. This policy brief outlines the opportunities and risks that can result from the large numbers of youth growing up in sub-Saharan Africa today. (June 2007)

Finding the Balance: Population and Water Scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa
The Middle East and North Africa is home to 6.3 percent of the world's population yet has only 1.4 percent of the world's fresh renewable water. This policy brief is also available in Arabic. (July 2002)

Frequently Asked Questions About the PRB World Population Data Sheet

 PRB staff are often asked how to interpret PRB's annual World Population Data Sheet and about current population trends. In this brief, we answer some of the qeustions we are frequently asked by educators, journalists, and others interested in population dynamics. (August 2005)

How HIV and AIDS Affect Populations

 This policy brief gives an overview of the effects of HIV and AIDS on population size, characteristics, and well-being. It also highlights the major efforts needed to control the epidemic, which continues to spread worldwide despite prevention efforts and successes in a few countries. (2006)

Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Ethiopia
This policy brief, Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Ethiopia, is based on the Ethiopia PHE assessment written by Dessalegn Rahmato, Yeraswork Admassie, and Yared Mekonnen in 2007. The methods used to conduct the assessment in Ethiopia included a review of relevant government policies and project documents, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. (November 2007)

Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Kenya
This policy brief, Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Kenya, is based on the Kenya PHE assessment coordinated by the National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development (NCAPD) and conducted by the University of Nairobi and the Kenya PHE task force between October 2006 and April 2007. The methods used to conduct the assessment in Kenya included a review of relevant government policies and project documents, key informant interviews, site household surveys, and focus group discussions. (November 2007)

Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Rwanda
The last decade in Rwanda's history has been one of transition and rebirth. Ten years ago, the country was emerging from several years of strife and civil conflict; in 2009, urban and rural areas are energized with the promise of steadily improving economic, social, and health conditions. Despite this impressive transformation, Rwanda faces various challenges, many related to the complex relationships between population trends, poverty, and environmental conditions. Continued improvement in the quality of life of Rwanda's citizens depends in large part on finding innovative and integrated solutions to complex population, health, and environment problems. (February 2009)

Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Tanzania
This policy brief, Integrating Population, Health, and Environment in Tanzania, is based on the Tanzania PHE assessment written in 2007 by Dr. N.F. Madulu, formerly of the Institute of Resource Assessment/University of Dar es Salaam, and the members of the Tanzania PHE assessment team. The methods used to conduct the assessment in Tanzania included a review of relevant policies, laws, and project documents; key informant interviews; and field visits to case study sites. (November 2007)

Population Trends and Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa
The people of the Middle East and North Africa have long played an integral, if sometimes volatile, role in the history of human civilization. Today, MENA's rapid population growth exacerbates the challenges that this region faces as it enters the third millennium. (December 2001)

Understanding and Using Population Projections

 Government policymakers and planners around the world use population projections to gauge future demand for food, water, energy, and services, and to forecast future demographic characteristics. Population projections can alert policymakers to major trends that may affect economic development and help policymakers craft policies that can be adapted for various projection scenarios. (2001)

World Population Highlights 2004 (PDF: 320KB)

 This policy brief provides highlights of PRB's 2004 World Population Data Sheet, focusing on key demographic and health trends that are shaping the 21st century. The world's population is growing substantially every year, but the pace of growth varies dramatically from one region to another (August 2004)

Youth in a Global World

 Youth in a Global World describes what it's like to grow up in today's world, with a special focus on four major experiences in the lives of young people: schooling, health, marriage, and childbearing. It highlights changes, cites trends, and suggests ways policies and programs could further improve the lives of today's youth. (June 2006)

Youth in the Middle East and North Africa: Demographic Opportunity or Challenge?

 Despite oil resources and major improvements in health and education, the Middle East and North Africa region is not meeting the changing needs of its rapidly growing young population. This policy brief gives an overview of demographic trends among MENA youth and the implications of these trends for the region's human and economic development. This policy brief is also available in Arabic. (April 2007)