The only way we can be prepared to understand how rapidly and what parts of the population are being affected by diseases and their risk factors, in a sustainable way, is through fully functioning civil registration and vital statistics systems with correct medical certification of every cause of death.
Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
In most countries, a civil registration system is used to record statistics on “vital events”, such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces and fetal deaths. This government administrative system creates a permanent record of each event.
Eastern Mediterranean Region CRVS assessment
Civil registration systems are used to record vital events, including births, deaths, and marriages. They have the potential to serve as the main source of national vital statistics. However, in many developing countries, civil registration and vital statistics systems are weak or nonexistent; as a result, key demographic, fertility and mortality statistics are not available on a continuous basis and do not cover large segments of the population.