Regional Workshop on Demographic Projections
1. Background and Justification
There is a cause and effect relationship between population and development. Development planning takes into account the size of population, its characteristics and needs for infrastructure, goods and services. Strategic planning in both the public and private sector is effective when knowledge of future population growth is taken into account. Population projection is the tool that provides planners with information on demographic trends. It enables them to base their policies for future development and requirements in the various sectors. Population projection, therefore, illustrate probable courses of future population change based on assumptions about births, deaths, and migration.
Qatar and the United Nations Population Division, a Regional Workshop on Demographic Projections in ESCWA member countries from 20 to 24 May 2007. Representatives from national statistical offices directly involved in the preparation of population data are invited to participate in this training. The participants will receive hands-on training on new approaches in projection methodology including the use of related statistical applications.
2. Purpose of the workshop
The workshop will introduce the participants to new approaches in projection methodology and make argument-based fertility, mortality and migration assumptions for population forecasting including interpretation of demographic trends and its likely impact on future national demographic scenarios.
3. Date and venue
The opening ceremony will start on Sunday 20 May at 8.30am under the auspices of ESCWA and the Planning Council. The sessions of 21 through 24 May will begin at 9.00am and finishes at 17.00.