Raftery Interviewed by Demographic Research on the Adoption of Bayesian Statistical Models for UN’s World Population Prospects
Posted: 8/8/2024 (CSDE Research)
In the most recent issue of Demographic Research, Monica Alexander interviews CSDE Affiliate Adrian Raftery on “Developing and Implementing the UN’s Probabilistic Population Projections as a Milestone for Bayesian Demography.” Every two years, the United Nations Population Division (UNPD) publishes population projections for all countries as part of the World Population Prospects (WPP). Since 2015, probabilistic population projections have been published as part of WPP. Their approach was driven by the Bayesian statistical models developed by Professor Raftery and a team of statisticians at the University of Washington. Monica Alexander sits down with Dr. Raftery to discuss the history of the UNPD WPP probabilistic population projections, including how the project started, the methodological challenges, main takeaways and lessons, and priorities for future research. Visit this link to read the entire interview.