Economics of Mortality Information Systems in Africa

Countries often rely on several mortality information systems in parallel, including civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS), sample registration systems (SRS), health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSS), censuses, and household surveys. These systems differ in their costs, population coverage, timeliness, quality, and the indicators they produce, yet there is limited comparative evidence on how they perform relative to the resources they require.

This project will examine the costs and performance of mortality information systems in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Using an indicator-centred approach, we will map the systems and mortality indicators they produce, assess their performance, and identify complementarities, overlaps, and gaps.

We will also estimate and compare system costs using a standardized costing approach and link these costs to system outputs to assess cost-performance and efficiency. The analysis will explore alternative combinations of systems and their implications for information gains, duplication, and potential efficiency improvements.

The work will be conducted with national partners and supported by an international Commission comprising representatives from key global, regional, and country institutions. The Commission will provide strategic guidance, review and interpret the findings, and help shape recommendations for sustainable investment in mortality information systems.