Page 405 - Contributed Paper Session (CPS) - Volume 4

CPS2460 Mustafa Dinc et al.

Statistical performance index - Assessing
country-level statistical capacity on a global scale
Mustafa Dinc, Juderica Dias
World Bank

Abstract
Data and statistics are a fundamental requirement for evidence-based
decisions. They are central to tracking results, and critical to holding decision-
makers accountable. Governments, international agencies, civil society
organizations, and the private sector cannot deliver on their respective
mandates without data and statistics. Demands on national systems are rising.
National statistical systems need to become more agile and maintain and
deepen their overall capacities to meet the increasing demand for data and
statistical services. This, in turn, requires continuous monitoring and
evaluations of these systems. Statistical Performance Index (SPI) is one such
tool that can help monitor and evaluate the performance of national statistical
systems.

Keywords
Statistical Capacity; Assessment tools; Statistical performance index; national
statistical system

1. Introduction
It has now been widely recognized that relevant, timely and quality
statistics are essential for evidence-based policy formulation, decision making
and for monitoring and evaluation of development progress. It has also been
acknowledged that the quality of statistics is as good as the agencies that
produce them. Availability of and access to timely and good quality data are
critical to holding decision-makers accountable. Governments, international
agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector cannot deliver on
their respective mandates without data and statistics.
The data is produced and disseminated at the country level by the national
statistical systems to inform a range of issues – social, economic,
environmental, and political. These statistics must be relevant, timely, and
credible.
National statistical systems need to become more agile and maintain and
deepen their overall capacities to meet the increasing demand for data and
statistical services. This, in turn, requires continuous monitoring and
evaluations of these systems. Statistical Performance Index (SPI) is one such
tool that can help monitor and evaluate the performances of national

394 | I S I W S C 2 0 1 9