Based on its experience in integrating population dynamics into development work, German development cooperation has prepared this handbook as a user-friendly tool for development professionals, sector experts and decision-makers in partner countries, as well as other interested readers.
It outlines global and regional population trends, and presents proven approaches and practical examples from German development cooperation, as well as regional and sectoral entry points for integrating population dynamics into development cooperation. Through practical insights and hands-on tools, the handbook supports its readers in identifying the opportunities and challenges that demographic changes can present and in effectively factoring these into the planning and implementation of development measures. The handbook contains a wealth of useful facts and figures, links to essential documents and databases, as well as informative maps, graphics, charts and diagrams.
This portal introduces the main topics that can be explored in more depth in the handbook itself.
A peek inside the population dynamics handbook
An initial Overview chapter briefly presents the handbook and the guiding principles of German development cooperation concerning population dynamics.
In Global and regional population trends, the handbook introduces the major trends that shape population dynamics today: population growth, ageing and movement in the form of urbanisation and migration. It examines how birth and death rates evolve over time and how as a result all societies pass through the demographic transition at different moments and at their own pace. The reader is also introduced to the ‘demographic dividend’, a window of opportunity for a country to reap economic progress during a period with lowered birth and death rates. The chapter goes on to present the evolving demographic situation in five regions – Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Middle East and North Africa; Eastern and Southern Europe; and sub-Saharan Africa – and as a comparison, in Germany.
Approaches and examples from practice in German development cooperation outlines the role of population dynamics for the management of bilateral cooperation and in the planning and implementation of development measures. It also presents step by step tried and tested approaches of German development cooperation, illustrated by concrete examples of practice from different countries and sectors.
Population dynamics and selected sectors of German development cooperation looks at how population size, structure and distribution impact on specific domains, and how these in turn influence demography. It examines human rights and gender; health; education; sustainable economic development; social protection; migration and displacement; rural development and food and nutrition security; decentralisation and urban development; climate and resource utilisation; and religion. For each field there are practical recommendations regarding the aspects needing particular attention in policy and programme planning.
Population data takes an in-depth look at demographic data as the essential basis for policy and programme planning. They provide information on birth and death rates, population structure, including age, sex and other characteristics, and reflect population distribution and density in various regions, urbanisation trends or international migration. Despite many countries’ efforts to improve the data situation, there continue to be major data gaps that make it difficult to determine the current situation or gauge the progress made towards implementing the 2030 Agenda. A fundamental source of population data are routine data systems such as for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS). Practical tips for supporting data systems indicate what needs to be taken into account in the production, interpretation and use of population data.
The Annex includes an index of technical concepts, the contacts of key actors for population data in nearly 100 countries worldwide, and the complete list of sources for the handbook.