Number of women of childbearing age. Both data sets are frequently limited to married women. These countries include 90 per cent of world population. This review includes contraceptive prevalence measures for all women of reproductive age in 64 countries and areas and for samples of men in 27 countries and areas. Contraceptive prevalence is one of the few topics for which data coverage is more complete and more current for developing than for developed countries.
Most surveys provide estimates for major regions within countries as well as at the national level.
Less frequently the sample design permits examining prevalence at the state, provincial, or lower administrative levels. In addition to those with national or near-national coverage, surveys covering this topic are sometimes available for particular geographic areas. Data are much less widely available for population groups other than married women, although such information has increased in recent years. Executing agencies for surveys covering this topic vary. National statistical offices and ministries of health are the most common source, but other governmental offices, non-governmental voluntary or commercial organizations are frequently involved.