Vital Statistics
Zambia
Structure of Vital Statistics Agency
Agency
Does the legal framework designate the entity or entities responsible for compiling vital statistics in the country?
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The legal framework for the vital statistics system should assign the functions of establishing, operating and maintaining a national vital statistics system to a governmental agency. Most countries assign responsibility for the vital statistics system to the national statistics office. Another option is to place the vital statistics administration within the civil registration agency. A third option is to designate specific government agencies to carry out different vital statistics functions related to their respective areas of work. Whatever option is chosen, close coordination between the vital statistics system, civil registration system, and health sector is essential.Zambia Legal Analysis
The Zambia Statistics Agency is the entity responsible for developing and coordinating an integrated National Statistical System and publishing official statistics. It has authority to collect official statistics relating to a wide range of matters, including “Population” and “Vital events and other demographic matters”.Law Source
Link Between Civil Registration and Vital Statistics
Are vital statistics derived from the civil registration system?
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
A well-functioning civil registration system is the ideal source from which to derive accurate, complete, timely, and continuous information on vital events. Vital statistics should therefore be derived from civil registration data.Zambia Legal Analysis
In relevant laws, there is no explicit mention of linkages between the civil registration system and the keeping of official statistics, nor any discussion of the sources of information about vital events.
The Zambia Statistics Agency is generally tasked with coordinating and cooperating with statistical agencies (public bodies with power to collect, compile or disseminate statistics under a written law) and putting coordination mechanisms into place. In general, the law requires that a statistical agency must provide the Agency with "administrative data" in its possession for the production of official statistics and the assessment of data quality. “Administrative data” means data collected by, or on behalf of, a public body other than the Agency for administrative purposes in conformity with any other written law.
However, in practice, the Zambia Statistics Agency has relied on civil registration information as the primary source for its reporting on vital statistics.
Law Source
Are there clear procedures and timeframes in the legal framework to facilitate sharing data from the civil registration agency to the national statistics agency(ies)?
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The law should require and enable the regular and timely sharing of statistical data from civil registration authority to the vital statistics agency.Zambia Legal Analysis
The law is silent on the sharing of civil registration data with the Zambia Statistics Agency. Section 26 of the Statistics Act generally requires that any statistical agency must provide the Agency with administrative data in its possession for the production of official statistics.“Statistical agencies” are public bodies with power to collect, compile or disseminate statistics under a written law. “Administrative data” means data collected by, or on behalf of, a public body other than the Agency for administrative purposes in conformity with any written law.
No timeframes are set for the sharing of such data. In terms of Section 4 of the Statistics Act, it is up the Agency to establish coordination mechanisms in respect of data-sharing for purposes of producing official statistics.