| DESA News Vol. 13, No. 12 | December 2009 |
Publications and websites
Technical reports
World Population Monitoring: Focusing on Population Distribution, Urbanization, Internal Migration and Development -The Concise Report
This report reviews trends in and prospects for urban and rural population growth and changes in the population of cities based on the 2007 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. It discusses the contribution of natural increase and the combination of rural-urban migration and reclassification to the growth of the urban population and considers the importance of different types of internal migration and describes the implications of population distribution for urban and rural dependency ratios.
To order: https://unp.un.org/Details.aspx?pid=19430
Statistical compilations
Population and Vital Statistics Report: Series A
This report presents most recent data on population size (total, male and female) from the latest available census of the population, national official population estimates and the number and rate (births, deaths and infant deaths) for the latest available year within the past 15 years. It also presents United Nations estimates of the mid-year population of the world, with its various areas and regions.
The Latest Series A report with updated Tables are downloadable in pdf format. A full explanation of each table can be found in the Technical Notes. Tables 2 and 3 of the report are updated every two weeks. Printed versions are issued for reference dates of 1 January and 1 July, respectively, each year. Subscriptions to the Population and Vital Statistics Report are available from the United Nations publications.
For more information: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/vitstats/
Monthly Bulletin of Statistics and MBS Online
The Bulletin presents current economic and social statistics for more than 200 countries and territories of the world. It contains over 50 tables of monthly and/or annual and quarterly data on a variety of subjects illustrating important economic trends and developments, including population, prices, employment and earnings, energy, manufacturing, transport, construction, international merchandise trade and finance.
Vol. LXIII – No. 10, October 2009
Quarterly and bimonthly tables included in this issue:
- Retail price indices relating to living expenditures of United Nations officials
- Civil aviation traffic: passenger km and cargo net ton km
- Total exports and imports by countries or areas: volume, unit value, terms of trade and purchasing power of exports, in US dollars
For more information: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/mbs/
Discussion papers
14th Monthly Briefing on the World Economic Situation and Prospects
The November 2009 issue forecasts that the world economy will shrink by 2.2 per cent in 2009. There are clear indications that recovery is on its way and global output may increase by 2.4 per cent in 2010, according to the preliminary UN forecast. Recovery is still very fragile, however.
A key risk is a premature withdrawal of the stimulus measures in major economies, which presently is a key factor driving the incipient recovery. Pursuing further stimulus now while at the same time ensuring a more sustainable and balanced global growth for the future is a main challenge facing policy makers collectively.
For more information: http://www.un.org/esa/policy/publications/dpad_wespmbn.html
Working papers
Globalization, Off shoring and Economic Insecurity in Industrialized Countries
This paper shows that a “new wave of globalization,” involving extensive off shoring, has raised both actual and perceived labor market insecurity in industrialized countries. The paper analyzes various channels through which this new wave of globalization leads to economic insecurity. It emphasizes the key role of overall macroeconomic conditions in determining the outcome of off shoring. The paper points out the inadequacies of various policy responses that industrialized countries have come up with so far and advocates urgent steps toward formulation of policies and erection of institutional structure more appropriate to confront the challenges of the new of globalization.
For more information: http://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/
To download: http://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/2009/wp87_2009.pdf
Managing Financial Instability: Why Prudence is not Enough?
This paper argues that developing countries have limited arsenal at the national level to manage financial instability. The solutions have to be sought mainly at the multilateral level and these include: provision of adequate international liquidity at appropriate terms for current account financing to countries facing foreign exchange shortages as a result of trade and financial shocks; and orderly debt workout procedures designed to stem attacks on currencies, check capital outflows and involve the private sector in the resolution of crises. Multilateral policy surveillance and advice should also be used to help countries to manage surges in capital inflows.
For more information: http://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/
To download: http://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/2009/wp86_2009.pdf