CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Strengthening Statistical Capacity to Improve MDG Data in Conditions of Transformation of Statistical System Jan Fischer President, Czech Statistical Office Czech Republic

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Strengthening Statistical Capacity  quantitative strengthening of statistical capacity  qualitative improvements of capacities  framework transformation (principles, quality, legislation) Millenium Development Goals = key information on the state and development of countries

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Transformation of statistical systems  general challenge: to increase quality and efficiency of statistical systems  Czech specific experience:  change of socio-economic conditions  accession to the European Union importance of main principles of official statistics confirmed (including MDGs data)

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Key words  Fundamental principles of official statistics adopted by UNSC  integrity, independence, credibility  decisive factors  external: socio-economic conditions  internal: pro-active role of national statistical service (national statistical institute)

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Statistics for Users  increasing demand on statistics (quantity, quality …)  imperative for official statistics: to describe facts truly using scientific methods (scientific, professional independence)  Czech case:  limited circle of real data users in previous socialist economy  wide use of statistics by variety of users (with different knowledge of statistics) in market economy and democratic society

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Scientific Independence - Methodology  censuses and preference of sampling methods  treatment of non-response (detection of active and non-active units)  confidence to respondents (no internal audits by official statisticians, however detailed consistency checks of individual data in data processing)  analytical methods for data verification

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Perception of Official Statistics  better knowledge of statistics is needed  basic understanding of statistical data (e.g. problems of averages)  knowledge of principles and mission of official statistics  statistics:  in previous regime: accurate sums =>  after transformation: „art of the possible“

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Access to Administrative Data Sources  reduction of respondents burden  one-way principle (in case of confidential data)  improvements of registers (as sampling frames) or replacement of statistical surveys  quality of administrative data – permanent attention

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Amedments of Statistical Legislation  independence of official statistics  data confidentiality  use of modern scientific methods  programme of statistical surveys  dissemination of statistics  co-ordination of state statistical service etc.

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Knowledge of Principles of Official Statistics  by producers of official statistics  by respondents  by users  co-operation with universities, secondary schools …  information for respondents in surveys  permanent and transparent dissemination of statistics including metadata  revision policy  dialogue with respondents and users

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Quality Aspects  relative concept to quality (user needs)  dimensions of quality: relevancy, availability, timeliness, accuracy, punctuality, comparability, coherence  close relation to efficiency and optimal use of resources  quality of products, processes and quality management

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Role of National Statistical Service (Office)  pro-active approach:  communication with all actors (internal & external)  user-satisfaction survey  respondent-satisfaction survey  regular meetings with representatives of major users

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic International Co-operation  International standards (Fundamental principles) => significant contribution to the perception of independence and mission of official statistics  international meetings, conferences, seminars  multilateral or bilateral co-operation (subject-matter statistics & cross-cutting issues)

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Measurement of MDGs Czech Republic  orientation on quality improvements  common standards within United Nations, OECD etc.  high level of harmonization within European Union (legislation) - definitions, common surveys, quality reports, deadlines ….  role of standards: comparability & embodied experience of statisticians => strength of international statistical community  Examples =>

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Poverty Indicators  Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) – harmonized EU survey  data collection in households  measurement of data quality  limits in response burden (length of interviews)  publications, press releases …

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Gender Statistics  International standards (United Nations)  administrative data sources  publications, web ….  need of better mutual co-operation and understanding of statisticians and researches (social sciences)

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Health Statistics  international standards  Ministry of Health – main producer of health statistics  preparation of satellite health accounts  new survey on disabled persons

CZECH STATISTICAL OFFICE Na padesátém 81, CZ Praha 10, Czech Republic Thank you for your attention Jan Fischer,