Please check against print version of the report to assure accuracy.

General note on the data

The data presented in the following statistical tables are accompanied by definitions, sources and explanations of symbols. Data from the responsible United Nations agency have been used whenever possible. Where such internationally standardized estimates do not exist, the tables draw on other sources, particularly data received from the appropriate UNICEF field office. Where possible, only comprehensive or representative national data have been used.

Data quality is likely to be adversely affected for countries that have recently suffered from man-made or natural disasters. This is particularly so where basic country infrastructure has been fragmented or major population movements have occurred.

Several of the indicators, such as the data for life expectancy, total fertility rates and crude birth and death rates are part of the regular work on estimates and projections undertaken by the United Nations Population Division. These and other internationally produced estimates are revised periodically, which explains why some of the data will differ from those found in earlier UNICEF publications.

This year the statistical tables contain more new data than in previous years, particularly data from recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. These household surveys were carried out by some 70 countries during the period 1999 to 2000 to fill data gaps for the end-decade review of progress towards the World Summit for Children goals.

A major revision has occurred in the method by which immunization coverage estimates have been derived in table 3. The new method includes a detailed review of all coverage data produced over the last decade, whether routine or survey based, and subsequent derivation, using inputs from international and national experts, of time series estimates for the decade. More information can be found at <www.childinfo.org>. This methodology has been adopted for immunization estimates appearing in the report Progress since the World Summit for Children: A Statistical Review.

Several other changes have been made in the tables. The gross national product (GNP) per capita indicator used in earlier tables has been replaced by gross national income (GNI) per capita, to reflect changes recently adopted by the World Bank. For similar reasons, the GNP per capita change over time has been replaced by the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita change over time. In table 1, gross primary school enrolment ratio has been replaced by net primary school enrolment/attendance, reflecting the improved availability of data for this more useful education indicator. In table 3, the adult HIV prevalence rate has been added, and the ORT indicator revised to reflect the current recommendations on treatment of diarrhoea (increased fluids and continued feeding). Antenatal care has been added to table 7. The reduction of under-five mortality rate from 1990 to 2000 has been inserted in table 8, and these data show that one third of countries achieved a reduction of one third or more over the decade.

For the first time, the calculation of regional averages or totals in these tables excludes any country data tagged with an ‘x’.

Explanation of symbols

Since the aim of these statistics is to provide a broad picture of the situation of children and women worldwide, detailed data qualifications and footnotes are seen as more appropriate for inclusion elsewhere. The following symbols are used to classify the table data:

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