Overview
Population Statistics CODs are the baseline population figures of a country pre-crisis situation. They are preferably developed by a government during a census but can also from estimated figures. When neither of these options are available the IM network must develop and agree to a process to develop a dataset that can be used by humanitarian agencies during preparedness and response activities. 
Population statistics are required to inform programming in humanitarian response. Specifically, they are used:
- to estimate the potential number of affected people both by OCHA but also by all partners (UN and NGOs) who are responding
- as a basis for another of the three core CODs: the Humanitarian Profile COD
- as a reference/resource in the development of needs assessments and in analysis
- as a framework for data collection