The United Nations Statistics Division is the primary agency responsible at an international level for

- collecting official national data on natality, that is on fertility, and foetal deaths. Data on natality have been collected from national statistical offices and disseminated through the Demographic Yearbook since its first issue in 1948. A review of the national reporting of fertility data (United Nations, 2004) describes the experience of countries with regard to reporting of the requested data to the Demographic Yearbook for the period 1961 to 2000, and relate national practices with respect to classifications to relevant international recommendations for fertility.

- issuing guidelines and methodologies in the collection, compilation and dissemination of statistics on natality.

- documenting and disseminating country practices and activities in the collection, compilation and dissemination of statistics on natality - Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Knowledge Center.

- providing technical guidance and support to countries in collecting, compiling and disseminating natality statistics.