  We present an analysis method that allows us to estimate the Galactic
formation of radio pulsar populations based on their observed properties and
our understanding of survey selection effects. More importantly, this method
allows us to assign a statistical significance to such rate estimates and
calculate the allowed ranges of values at various confidence levels. Here, we
apply the method to the question of the double neutron star (NS-NS) coalescence
rate using the current observed sample, and we find calculate the most likely
value for the total Galactic coalescence rate to lie in the range 3-22
Myr^{-1}, for different pulsar population models. The corresponding range of
expected detection rates of NS--NS inspiral are (1-9)x10^{-3} yr^{-1} for the
initial LIGO, and 6-50 yr^{-1} for the advanced LIGO. Based on this newly
developed statistical method, we also calculate the probability distribution
for the expected number of pulsars that could be observed by the Parkes
Multibeam survey, when acceleration searches will alleviate the effects of
Doppler smearing due to orbital motions. We suggest that the Parkes survey will
probably detect 1-2 new binary pulsars like PSRs B1913+16 and/or B1534+12.
