TIMOR-LESTE LAUNCHES THE 2025–26 DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY KEY INDICATORS REPORT: NEW DATA RELEASED
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE – June 11, 2026 – Today, the Government of Timor-Leste, led by the National Institute of Statistics (INETL) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) officially launched the Key Indicators Report of the 2025-26 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey (TLDHS). This report provides vital, up-to-date data to drive evidence-based policy and decision making and tracking progress towards achieving national goals and priorities.
The survey results highlight national progress over the last decade, particularly in reproductive and maternal health. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has shown a decline, dropping from 4.2 children per woman in 2016 to 3.4 in 2025–26. Percentage of deliveries assisted by skilled health personnel have significantly rising from just 60 % in 2016 to 78% in 2025-26, demonstrating that more women choose facility-based care with skilled assistance. The report also reveals that further efforts are needed to address persistent challenges such as malnutrition, child health and anemia among women.
Highlighting the foundational value of this information, H.E Santina J.R.F. Viegas Cardoso, Minister of Finance, stated, "Reliable data is the foundation of sound policy. It allows us to plan effectively, monitor our achievements, and measure the impact of programs that directly affect the well-being of the Timorese people." Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Florindo Pinto Gonzaga, Director General of the Ministry of Health, noted, "Reliable health data is the backbone of a resilient healthcare system. This evidence will allow us to precisely target our medical interventions, improve healthcare delivery at all levels, and ultimately save lives."
Reflecting on the rigorous national effort required to capture these figures, Elias Ferreira, President of INETL, emphasized, "The release of this report is a testament to Timor-Leste’s growing capacity for robust statistical governance. It delivers high-quality data, empowering policymakers to design programs that leave no one behind." Furthermore, Ms. Navchaa Suren, UNFPA Representative in Timor-Leste, reminded attendees of human stories behind statistics, adding, "While this report presents statistical indicators, it is ultimately about people. The findings provide critical evidence to ensure that policies, investments, and resource allocations respond directly to the needs of the population."
The successful implementation of the TLDHS was a joint effort led by the National Institute of Statistics, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health, supported by development partners. The Government of Timor-Leste extends its deep appreciation to UNFPA, the Government of Australia, the World Bank, UNICEF, and WFP for their financial contributions. Special recognition is also given to the DHS team at INETL, ICF Macro International, municipal authorities, field staff, and the thousands of households and individuals who generously shared their time and provided valuable information.
The preliminary Key Indicators Report is now available to the public on the INETL, I.P. website. A comprehensive TLDHS report with more indicators is expected to be released later this year.
