Towards flexible and solid statistical systems LUIS BECCARIA ECLAC

Evidence based policies Policy making should be based on solid evidence. This culture of making policy on evidence-based research and analysis is not very strong in many countries. Evidence-based policy making should be a regular practice in different areas –social, economic, and environmental– and becomes even more crucial during an economic crisis such as the one the world is experiencing. Official statistics represent an importante source of evidence as they provide information needed to forecast economic and social events, analyse their main determinants and evaluate their effects.

Data needed for carrying out such forecasts and analyses should be regularly produced in a timely fashion by national statistical systems Unfortunately, in many countries of the region, including the Caribbean the statistical systems are not robust enough to respond adequately to such needs. –Certain variables or sets of variables that are not currently measured – Certain variables are not produced with the frequency required for adequate monitoring of an economic crisis –Certain variables are not produced in a timely fashion –The coverage is inadequate in terms of dimensions such as sector types of firms or geography –Quality difficulties Statistical data for evidence-based policies

Flexible Statistical Systems The scope of the statistical systems should recognize and try to respond to user needs but also has to take into account resource limitations. –Evaluation of priorities However, it is desirable that the statistical system should be flexible enough to allow data needed for the analysis of event such as crisis to be derived from existing statistical instruments without major alterations and technical difficulties. For example, the inclusion of certain new variables, and/or extend their coverage, when required under certain circumstances. or they should be easily –It is very difficult, and not desirable, to attempt to rapidly put in place short- lived instruments in order to meet the statistical demand that arises when an economic crisis or other event, occurs. It is known that many national statistical systems are not always capable of such responses -and it appears to be the case in some Caribbean countries-. This type of flexibility is characteristic of well established and solid statistical systems.

Towards solid statistical systems Similarly to other countries, regarding many Caribbean nations:  Attention needs to be paid to enhancing statistical infrastructure. Most National Statistical Offices (NSOs) are under-resourced (both financially and technically)  NSOs are not afforded sufficient institutional authority or autonomy necessary to raise the standards of efficiency and performance in data collection and measurement.  The task of conducting national surveys and data collection is often assigned to line ministries and other government agencies, without the involvement of the NSO. Its participation is very important to ensure the design of high quality surveys and generation of reliable data.  The availability and retention of technical skills is a major issue that must be addressed to strengthen statistical capacity in the region. Moreover, it needs to be recognized that the NSO plays an important role as the main repository of essential statistics on all aspects of development in a country.

Towards solid statistical systems A solid statistical system cannot be improvised, takes many years to mature and consequently requires continuous and sustained support by the state. Hence, the difficulty to generate evidence for adequate monitoring of economic crises is to a large extent explained by the lack of support currently given to national statistical systems. There is a relationship between the practice of evidence-based policies and development of the statistical systems.

Towards solid statistical systems International agencies have an important role to play in supporting countries’ efforts to build national statistics systems. In fact, the region has witnessed important advances in that direction, but much more can be done through, for example, better coordination among agencies. Nevertheless, it should be stressed that this support is not a substitute –rather a complement– of national efforts. Economic crises usually make evident the shortcomings and limitations facing statistical systems. But they also may become an opportunity for increasing awareness of such difficulties and for advocating the need to improve and strengthen national statistical systems.