Official Statistics & Statistical Systems
The case for capacity building
UNSD Workshop on CountryData – Technologies for Data Exchange
Bangkok, Thailand, 18-22 March 2013
Zoltan Nagy – Statistics Division, Department of Economic and Social affairs, United Nations
Outline
What is official statistics?
National and international statistical systems
Principles of official statistics
Challenges and building capacity in exchanging data
The need for official statistics?
All countries need statistical data To identify issues and problems To provide a picture of the current situation To provide the evidence for policy making To monitor progress
Numerical data Provide for comparisons Can be seen to be precise and objective Can be manipulated Give access to powerful tools of statistical and
mathematical analysis
Official statistics as a public good
Official statistics Collected and published by governments Mandate generally set out in legislation Financed from general tax revenue Public good
Use by one person does not affect others Costly to produce, but easily disseminated Value depends on quality, but difficult for users to
determine this
Statistical systems
Almost all countries have set up statistical systems Part of central government Organization varies, but even when centralized
may involve several agencies
National systems have a dual role To serve the needs of government To provide information to the public
The statistical process
Statistical agencies apply data collection methods to obtain data from data providers
Data are processed, summarized and disseminated in different statistical products to users
What data to collect is a political issueWhat methods to use is a technical
question
Data providers
Data sources Households and individuals Business enterprises, both formal and informal Public enterprises and service providers Civil society organizations and other groups
Trade-off between need for data and level of intrusion and cost to providers
Important to maintain confidentiality
Data collection
Formal censuses and surveys Population censuses and household surveys Business enquiries
Administrative records and MIS Service delivery Economic transactions with government Requirements of legislation
Other methods Remote sensing Participatory methods
Statistical processes and products
Statistical processes Data validation and editing Compilation of summary statistics Analysis and estimation Provision of commentary and explanation
Statistical products Publications, abstracts, digests, reports Electronic media, including data for further analysis Publication through the Internet Reports on methods
Data users
Government Policy makers, planners, analysts and managers
Politicians and legislatorsMarkets
Domestic and internationalThe public
Lobbyists, CSOs, individuals etc.The mediaInternational community
Development agencies and donors
The international statistical system
Measuring development
progress - MDGsPolicies, resources,
programs, projects
Supply of data
National dataData processes
Statistical infrastructureFinanced by:
Government budgets,
multilateral trust funds, and bilateral donors;
Supported by technical
assistance and training
Review processes
Methods and
standards
Coordination,advocacy,
information
International frameworks
Transnational data
ICP, environmentaldata, etc.
international
agencies, IMF, WB, regional agencies
Global data
Implementation
Assessment and analysis
UN specialized
Consistent
data
The theory of official statistics
Users are not easily able to determine the quality of statistics
The UN have developed 10 fundamental principles of official statistics
By following these principles statistical agencies are able to demonstrate their integrity and to build trust and confidence in their products
Key principles of official statistics
1. Relevance, impartiality and equal access 2. Professional standards and ethics 3. Accountability and transparency 4. Prevention of misuse 5. Sources of official statistics 6. Confidentiality 7. Legislation 8. National coordination 9. Use of international standards 10. International cooperation
Challenges and constraints
Many statistical systems are under stress and under-performing Lack of demand and limited political support Inadequate and declining real budgets and over-
dependence on donor funding Staff lack incentives and skills Products difficult to access and use Limited feedback from users Ineffective coordination and management
Many systems are caught in a vicious cycle Inadequate finance Poor quality output Lower
demand Low priority for scarce resources
Balancing supply and demand
Capacity building requires building demand as much as improving supply
No formal market for statistics No price mechanism to provide signals for
investment
Need for mechanisms to identify and respond to new demands for data
Need for active marketing of output
Improving performance
Improving communications with usersBuilding trust in products and focusing on data
qualityMaking better use of existing dataUsing new technology to reduce costs and
improve efficiencyImproving coordination and managementMaking statistical systems more transparent,
responsive and accountable
Developing a strategy
Identify stakeholdersBroad consultation to build ownershipAssess strengths and weaknessesIdentify investment needsPrioritize actionsDevelop a time-bound planMonitor and evaluate progress
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