DSS meeting Setting up a medium term program for social statistics in France 

Introduction achievements of the previous medium-term 2004-2008 : heavy statistical projects : The new rolling census Resane (reengineering of firm statistics) The generalisation of the use of administrative data The renewal of the collection of data on firms In a new context : The decentralization of public policies and the increase of local needs The increase in the needs of the European statistics

Introduction (2) a lot of difficulties And also : the contradiction between the need for ongoing statistical programs and the emergence of new demands The gap between the objective measure and the common perception The result : An over-extension of the statistical system A loss in credibility and a kind of crisis for public statistic A need for external (and not just internal) legitimacy

How to prepare a medium term program the demand Eurostat : For social statistics, Eurostat demand is now almost all the production … … with regulations or gentleman agreements… …and will in the short run exceed the capacities of the French institute. But it can be an opportunity : The legitimacy of the regulations The use of comparable statistics and common concepts

How to prepare a medium term program the demand The government : For decision-making For evaluating public policies The local authorities : For regional and local policies Need of local indicators about labour, unemployment, inequalities, health, demography,…

The National Council for statistical information (CNIS) - brings together the social users many sessions ; for social statistics : Demography and living condition Income and labor market Dwelling Health Education… Very active partnership with the edition of reports

Some recent reports concerning income : needs of social users about publications, use of panel data, better knowledge of rich people (income and wealth) ; Concerning unemployment : beyond the single ILO rate of unemployment Concerning localized information Concerning price indexes and purchase power Reports achieved during a given medium term are an important material to define the following medium term

Main topics the sustainable development (welfare, beyond the GDP…) The globalization The local information Demography and social statistics

Demography and social statistics Inequalities and living conditions Employment-Unemployment-instability Ageing Long life learning Migrations Crime and victimation Comparison of consumer prices, measure of purchase power

How to do it ? Going further in the construction of panel data and the use of administrative data Improve the methodology Improve the knowledge of costs and benefits Improve the quality processes Improve the communication on results and methods Accept a European division of labor?