## ASSUMPTIONS AND CONVENTIONS

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [ASSUMPTIONS AND CONVENTIONS](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fiscal-monitor/2018/april/pdf/fmassumconv.pdf)

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### Symbols and notation
- . . .  to indicate that data are not available
- — to indicate that the figure is zero or less than half the final digit shown, or that the item does not exist
- – between years or months (for example, 2008–09 or January–June) to indicate the years or months covered, including the beginning and ending years or months
- / between years (for example, 2008/09) to indicate a fiscal or financial year

### Units and terminology
- “Billion” means a thousand million; “trillion” means a thousand billion.
- “n.a.” means “not applicable.”

### Basis points
- “Basis points” refers to hundredths of 1 percentage point (for example, 25 basis points are equivalent to ¼ of 1 percentage point).

### Rounding and data notes
- Minor discrepancies between sums of constituent figures and totals are due to rounding.

### Use of the term “country”
- As used in this publication, the term “country” does not in all cases refer to a territorial entity that is a state as understood by international law and practice.
- As used here, the term also covers some territorial entities that are not states but for which statistical data are maintained on a separate and independent basis.

*International Monetary Fund | April 2018*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/fiscal-monitor/2018/april/pdf/fmassumconv.pdf_