Global Family Index

The Global State of the Family Index is a centralized electronic database on family health and well-being maintained by the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD).

Indicator Data Statistics In 2004, the Doha International Conference for the Family was convened under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah, Consort of His Highness the Emir of Qatar and President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. This conference ratified the Doha Declaration on the Family, reasserting Article 16(3) as an official proclamation that “the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society”. Furthermore, the Doha Declaration issues a general call upon all Governments, international organizations and members of civil society at all levels to develop indicators to evaluate the impact of all programmes on family stability. DIIFSD’s Global State of the Family Index offers the most complete mechanism available for developing the indicators called for by the Doha Declaration.

Numerous web-based databases exist around the world, but most largely deal with issues such as demographics, economics, politics, development, or health. Many of these databases are narrowly focused upon national or regional levels. While many typically contain at least some data relevant to the family, none focus exclusively on generating or presenting data specifically relevant to the family.

The Global State of the Family Index contains family health and wellbeing data including, for example, rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality, marriage and divorce as well as educational attainment and family economic data for all nations compiled from sources such as United Nations, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization and others. The database content is dynamic and is continuously updated, revised, and added as more sources & data are indentified from around the world.

The Global State of the Family Index provides user-friendly data tables in a variety of formats, time-series animations, and geographic mapping displays. Researchers have identified key indicator measures along with sources, copyright, reproduction standards, and use protocols. To enable comparative analysis of data from incompatible sources, the Global State of the Family Index combines and standardizes all data to international conventions.

Considering the centrality of the family to life across cultures and nationalities, as well as the rapid social changes and pressures families around the world face today, the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development and Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University are developing a unique and powerful platform for the future of family research with the Global State of the Family Index.