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UNESCAP concerned over lack of birth certificates in Asia-Pacific

China birth certificate

UNESCAP says in the Asia-Pacific region only 40 per cent of births are registered.

AFP: Wang Zhao, file photo

The United Nations says it's concerned as many as two out of every five births each year goes unregistered.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific says worldwide 220 million children under five don't have their births registered.

UNESCAP's Haishan Fu has told Pacific Beat reducing that figure is important for both parents and governments.

"Registering a birth is not just about the rights of the individual, but its also the basic function and responsibilities of governments," she said.

"It's really the basis for efficient public administration and good governance - the mere act of registration of the birth not only confers the rights and legal identity to the individual, but also leaves in the administration the record which forms the basis of the very critical vital statistics for the government to understand the they can design the right public policy.


In parts of South Asia, as few as one in three births are registered, while in Vanuatu, the figure falls as low as 26 per cent.

Ms Fu says while registration is a legal requirement, there are a lot of reasons why it's still not happening.

"Whether people are aware of this legal requirement, whether the government provides the services easily enough for people to access," she said.

"Also public awareness of parents - whether they understand the importance of having this birth certificate for their children down the road in their lives.

"[There are also] geographic barriers...and economic implications - often registering the births requires a fee and also there are hidden costs [where] parents have to go and forego work."

UNESCAP is calling for the registration of births to be made a development issue.

Ms Fu says the lack of a birth certificate can see people trapped in their own villages, unable to obtain a drivers license or a passport for travel.

"Without birth registration the individuals themselves are denied opportunities and basic rights to access school services, health services; to be able to vote or open bank accounts; to participate in formal economic activities.

"At the same time, [they] run the higher risk of being exploited and trafficked."

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