What are vital statistics?

Vital statistics refers specifically to data that is directly derived from official records of life events, particularly births and deaths. This includes detailed information such as the number of births and deaths over a given period of time, as well as statistics related to factors like age, sex, race, and marriage. Vital statistics are essential for understanding population trends, public health and planning. They provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and health professionals to develop strategies for health care and resource allocation.

The other options do not accurately define vital statistics, as education data, legal documentation, and health statistics on living populations do not encompass the specific focus on birth and death records that vital statistics represent.