A new report from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reveals significant strides in civil registration across the region over the past decade. The number of unregistered children under the age of five has dropped by an impressive 62 percent—from 135 million in 2012 to 51 million in 2024—thanks to concerted efforts under the Asia-Pacific Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Decade (2015–2024).
This milestone means 84 million more children now possess a recognized name and legal identity, giving them access to critical rights and services including education, healthcare, and social protection. The findings are detailed in ESCAP’s newly released report, Progress Made on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific After a Decade of Getting Every One in the Picture.
Despite these gains, the report warns that substantial challenges remain. Each year, an estimated 14 million newborns in the region still go unregistered by their first birthday. Without birth registration, these children risk being denied access to essential services and protections throughout their lives.
“This progress is encouraging, but we cannot lose sight of the millions who remain invisible in the eyes of the law,” said an ESCAP spokesperson. “Legal identity is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of inclusive development.”
Among the report’s other key findings:
- The number of countries using civil registration data to generate vital statistics has increased by nearly 60 percent.
- Around 6.9 million deaths remain unregistered annually in Asia and the Pacific.
- A quarter of countries in the region do not medically certify deaths, creating serious gaps in mortality data that are crucial for public health planning.
Civil registration data is not only vital for individual rights but also plays a crucial role in evidence-based policymaking, disaster response, and tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The report sets the stage for the upcoming Third Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific, to be held from 24 to 26 June in Bangkok. The event will convene government leaders and partners to evaluate regional progress and strengthen commitments to achieving universal registration and legal identity for all.
As the CRVS Decade draws to a close, the UN is urging countries to accelerate efforts to close remaining gaps and ensure that no one is left behind.
