AbstractThe 14 MeV neutron multiplication in lead is analyzed on the basis of a new calculational procedure using recent double-differential neutron emission data from the EFF-1 data file. A comparison with conventional calculational procedures and currently available data evaluations is performed. No difference in the calculated total neutron multiplication can be observed. From the comparison to experimental lead sphere benchmarks, it is concluded that the 14 MeV (n, 2n)-cross section of lead should be increased to 2.2–2.3 b.