1 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Activities in the STES area Artur Andrysiak Economic Statistics Section, UNECE

2 Overview Brief introduction of UNECE Statistical DivisionBrief introduction of UNECE Statistical Division UNECE International Comparability ProjectUNECE International Comparability Project UNECE Seasonal Adjustment Pilot ProjectUNECE Seasonal Adjustment Pilot Project UNECE on-line Statistical DatabaseUNECE on-line Statistical Database

3 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNECE strives to foster sustainable economic growth among its 56 member countries. UNECE provides a forum for communication among States; brokers international legal instruments addressing trade, transport and the environment; and supplies statistics and economic and environmental analysis. 56 member countries56 member countries

4 UNECE Statistical Division Main activitiesMain activities Technical assistance and training International cooperation Promotion of internationally accepted standards and best practices Methodological work Organizing meetings Provision of secretariat to the Conference of European Statisticians Data work

5 International comparability of short-term economic statistics In 2006 and 2007 the ESS conducted a thorough investigation of available STES in CIS and SEE countriesIn 2006 and 2007 the ESS conducted a thorough investigation of available STES in CIS and SEE countries 17 CIS and South-East European countries17 CIS and South-East European countries Statistics published on the NSOs websites (in English)Statistics published on the NSOs websites (in English) Compilation and dissemination methods and practicesCompilation and dissemination methods and practices 5 key indicators:5 key indicators: Consumer Price IndexConsumer Price Index Producer Price IndexProducer Price Index Index of Industrial ProductionIndex of Industrial Production Retail Trade TurnoverRetail Trade Turnover Wages and SalariesWages and Salaries

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7 Key Findings Lack of international comparability in the area of STES - main causes: Lack of seasonally adjusted seriesLack of seasonally adjusted series Unavailability of longer time seriesUnavailability of longer time series Lack of fixed base indices and absolute valuesLack of fixed base indices and absolute values Insufficient metadataInsufficient metadata Poor dissemination practicesPoor dissemination practices Poor compilation practicesPoor compilation practices

8 Seasonal Adjustment Pilot Project Lack of SA is a key factor affecting international comparability Objectives:Objectives: To produce and publish reliable and accurate seasonally adjusted time series for countries for which such series are not available and subsequently improve international comparability (short-term perspective).To produce and publish reliable and accurate seasonally adjusted time series for countries for which such series are not available and subsequently improve international comparability (short-term perspective). To support building up of NSOs capacity in the area of SA (longer-term perspective).To support building up of NSOs capacity in the area of SA (longer-term perspective). Scope:Scope: 16 CIS and South-East European countries16 CIS and South-East European countries IIPIIP

9 SAPP – Findings/Outcomes FindingsFindings 14 out of 16 SEECIS countries publish monthly total IIPs that are suitable for SA.14 out of 16 SEECIS countries publish monthly total IIPs that are suitable for SA. In 3 out of the 14 countries (Russia, Georgia and Serbia) the NSOs/CBs compile SA IIP.In 3 out of the 14 countries (Russia, Georgia and Serbia) the NSOs/CBs compile SA IIP. For the remaining countries the SA series produced by ESS are suitable for publication.For the remaining countries the SA series produced by ESS are suitable for publication. For Russia and Georgia the series produced by ESS are very similar to those published by the countries themselves.For Russia and Georgia the series produced by ESS are very similar to those published by the countries themselves. OutcomesOutcomes Publication of the SA seriesPublication of the SA series Improved comparability of the SEECIS countries with the remaining countries in the UNECE region.Improved comparability of the SEECIS countries with the remaining countries in the UNECE region. Improved cooperation with the NSOs in the area of SAImproved cooperation with the NSOs in the area of SA

10 SAPP - Lessons learned ESS can produce SA series for selected statistics on a regular basis for SEECIS countries who do not publish SA series.ESS can produce SA series for selected statistics on a regular basis for SEECIS countries who do not publish SA series. Where feasible countries should be encouraged to undertake SA themselves.Where feasible countries should be encouraged to undertake SA themselves. There is a need of methodological and/or technical assistance to countries to support the implementation of SA methods and practices.There is a need of methodological and/or technical assistance to countries to support the implementation of SA methods and practices. There is a strong demand for methodological material and practical guidelines in RussianThere is a strong demand for methodological material and practical guidelines in Russian

11 Example of SA IIP – Russian Federation

12 UNECE Statistical Database on-line Statistics:Statistics: EconomicEconomic Gender and SocialGender and Social TransportTransport Statistics for 52 of 56 MC (remaining 4 being added)Statistics for 52 of 56 MC (remaining 4 being added) Free accessFree access Easy and fast to useEasy and fast to use Constantly being improvedConstantly being improved

13 Questions?Questions? THANK YOUTHANK YOU