Reshaping the statistical service in accordance with changing socio-economic conditions

Issue title: Marketing of Statistics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Szilágyi, György | Vadnai, Tibor

Affiliations: Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Keleti Kāroly u. 5–7, P.O. Box 51, H-1525 Budapest II, Hungary

Abstract: The intensity of the changes taking place in the transition period and their effects on the statistical services differ from country to country. Hungarian statistics have not been hindered by central planning, as the role of this planning had decreased in recent years and statistics went far beyond the scope of planning. In identifying users, government has been given first priority. However, with changing market conditions the statistical services are being faced with new types of requests coming from Parliament, political parties, the business sector, etc. The main challenge is the correct definition of the new requests, an optimal selection from them, and the anticipation of future needs. This article identifies four types of data dissemination: statistical publications, special publications for the media; individually-tailored dissemination; publication through electronic media. New conditions for data collection are created by the increasing role of the private sector, the growing number of economic units, and the decreasing readiness of data suppliers. One of the first tasks is the development of an appropriate business register. The basic information would come from the tax authorities. This article provides a sample of fields of intensive activity. National Accounts and price statistics are discussed in some detail, together with the assessment of the impact of reforms on the population.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1991-83-404

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 8, no. 3-4, pp. 233-241, 1991