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Macroeconomic Statistics

These courses, presented by the IMF Statistics Department, cover national accounts, prices, money and financial sector, balance of payments, financial soundness, and government finance.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, covers the fundamentals needed to compile the international accounts. The course introduces the conceptual statistical framework for balance of payments and IIP-as presented in the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics Manual, sixth edition (BPM6), which is harmonized with other macroeconomic statistical frameworks. You will learn about the current, capital, and financial account balances, and how they reflect your economy's interaction with the rest of the world. Basic concepts, definitions, and classifications are covered, along with the principal accounting rules (including valuation and time of recording) that are relevant for compilation of the international accounts. The course also discusses the functional categories, including direct investment. The need for integration of the balance of payments with the IIP for compiling comprehensive, internationally comparable statistics will also be discussed.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, targets compilers with a certain degree of experience in the compilation and/or analysis of balance of payments and/or IIP. It aims at providing a deep understanding of the concepts, data sources and compilation techniques for balance of payments and IIP statistics and their application for addressing complex methodological issues. The course does not cover the basic balance of payments and IIP concepts. The intermediate level of the course presupposes participants’ familiarity with the basic concepts.

The course consists of a series of lectures and workshops analyzing country cases with a strong data component and to allow peer learning and sharing of experiences. Recognizing the challenges in compiling data in emerging areas of user interest, the course emphasizes specific topics, such as estimating informal cross border activities and the treatment of special purpose entities. The course examines themes and challenges emerging from developments in global economy, and participants have the opportunity to discuss how these impact compilation work. Specific exercises are geared to integrating data compilation with Fund surveillance and policy advice; and to demonstrate the analytical uses of ESS.

This course, conducted by the Statistics Department, presents a user-friendly tool developed by the department to automatically combine monetary, government, and international investment position data reported to the Statistics Department to create a distribution of claims and liabilities on a from-whom-to-whom basis—an extremely useful tool for macro-financial analysis. Once the matrix is generated, country officials should be able to use the Balance Sheet Approach (BSA) analysis to focus on overall balance sheet linkages and identify specific exposures and vulnerabilities, such as excessive reliance on external funding, leverage buildup in the corporate sector, and overreliance on the banking sector for sovereign debt placement.  

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, covers theoretical and practical issues related to the compilation of accumulation accounts (capital accounts, financial accounts, other changes in volume of assets accounts, and revaluation accounts) and balance sheets according to institutional sectors. The course is based on the conceptual framework of the System of National Accounts, 2008 (2008 SNA). The aim of the course is to provide participants with the necessary skills to compile the sectoral accumulation accounts and the balance sheets. The course consists of lectures covering conceptual and methodological issues as well as workshops sessions on practical compilation issues. The lectures provide a thorough review of the methodological framework, concepts, and definitions relating to sectoral accumulation accounts and balance sheets, examine potential data sources for their compilation, and illustrate possible compilation techniques and procedures. The course also provides a forum for participants to share country practices and experiences relating to the compilation of sectoral accumulation accounts and balance sheets.

This online course, presented by the Statistics Department, reviews the basic skills, concepts, and principles required to compile and disseminate macroeconomic and financial statistics. The course covers topics such as residence, institutional units, institutional sectors, accounting rules, financial instruments, stocks and flows, the IMF’s Data Standards Initiatives, and presents the basic macroeconomic linkages among these statistics.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, provides practical advice on compiling and disseminating the international accounts (balance of payments and IIP) statistics based on the BPM6 Compilation Guide (the Guide). The purpose of the course is to demonstrate how the conceptual framework described in the BPM6 may be translated into practice. The course consists of a series of lectures, workshops, and discussions on methods for compiling international accounts. They focus on compilation practices, including data sources that international accounts can draw on, as well as complex methodological and compilation issues related to specific balance of payments and IIP components and other issues that cut across accounts. Participants have the opportunity to discuss compilation challenges they have encountered and gain insights into the analytical uses of the international accounts.

The management of natural resources is an important function of government, and statistics are needed to support analysis of the macroeconomic impacts of natural resources and the formulation of an appropriate macroeconomic policy mix. Fluctuations in government revenues, exports, employment, and national income caused by changes in the output and prices of natural resources have major macroeconomic and fiscal implications. Sound policymaking when such risks are present requires reliable, timely, and complete coverage of relevant activity in the national accounts and analytical measures to assess the macroeconomic effects. This regional workshop, presented by the IMF Statistics Department, aims to ensure national accounts data are compiled with comprehensive and technically sound data for natural resources. It will also support compilation of the National Accounts Template Tables specified by the Guide to Analyze Natural Resources in the National Accounts.

This one-week course will cover theoretical and practical issues related to the compilation of sectoral accounts (current and capital accounts, financial accounts, other changes in volume of assets accounts, and revaluation accounts) and balance sheets according to institutional sectors. The aim of the course is to provide participants with the necessary skills to compile the sectoral accounts and the balance sheets. The course consists of lectures covering conceptual and methodological issues as well as exercises that require the application of these concepts and that highlight practical compilation issues. The lectures provide a thorough review of the methodological framework, concepts, and definitions relating to sectoral accounts and balance sheets, including accounting rules, valuation, institutional units and sectors, and residency. The course will also outline potential data sources for their compilation and illustrate recommended compilation techniques and procedures.

This online course, presented by the Statistics Department, introduces participants to key CPI concepts and methods. The course provides an overview of key CPI concepts, definitions, and uses. It provides an overview of different index number formulas and the practical implications of choosing the index number formula at lower and higher levels of aggregation. The course also discusses the sources and methods for sampling areas, items, outlets, and varieties; treatment of temporarily and permanently missing prices; and updating and linking CPI data series. Linkages to the 2008 SNA are highlighted, including the related principles of scope, coverage, and valuation. The course covers the following topics: 

  • defining key concepts and uses of CPI data and how these influence the design of a CPI; 
  • meeting data users’ needs to ensure relevancy; 
  • calculating elementary and upper-level indexes; 
  • methods for sampling areas, items, outlets, and varieties; 
  • methods for handling temporarily and permanently missing prices, including adjusting prices for quality changes; and 
  • chaining and linking indexes with updated weighting structures. 

The course follows the principles and recommendations of the CPI Manual (2020).

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, is intended to broaden participants’ understanding of the concepts, methods, and challenges of compiling CPIs. Concepts and methods introduced in the online CPIx are explored in greater detail to address actual compilation issues faced by participants. It provides an overview of the index number theory and the practical implications of choosing the index number formula at lower and higher levels of aggregation. The course covers the sources and methods for developing/validating weights; and practical applications of the methods used for sampling areas, items, outlets, and varieties. New and emerging data sources as well as new collection technologies are discussed. Frontier issues including how to better measure the digital economy are included. Linkages to the 2008 SNA are highlighted, including the related principles of scope, coverage, and valuation. 
The course covers the following topics: 

  • calculating elementary and upper-level indexes; 
  • methods for handling temporarily and permanently missing prices;  
  • introducing new outlets, items, and varieties; 
  • adjusting prices for quality changes; 
  • chaining and linking indexes with updated weighting structures; and 
  • meeting data users’ needs to ensure relevancy. 

The course follows the principles and recommendations of the CPI Manual (2020).

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, provides training on the methodology for compiling and disseminating CBPS, including the integrated IIP and memorandum and supplementary position data items following the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, sixth edition (BPM6); EDS, including currency composition, remaining maturity, and debt service schedule; the CPIS, including sectoral data; and the CDIS. The course consists of a series of lectures, discussions, and practical exercises. Lectures and discussions focus on general concepts and compilation practices, while exercises provide participants with an opportunity to put the knowledge gained into practice. Participants have the opportunity to discuss problems encountered in their compilation work and gain insights into the analytical uses of the international accounts. The course is based on BPM6, the 2013 External Debt Statistics: Guide for Compilers and Users, the 2017 CPIS Guide, and the 2015 CDIS Guide. 

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, is intended to provide participants with a thorough understanding of the international standards for the compilation of EDS presented in the 2013 EDS: Guide for Compilers and Users (2013 EDS Guide). The course will cover basic concepts, definitions, and classifications, along with the principal accounting rules (including valuation and time of recording) that are relevant for compilation of the EDS. Finally, participants will be briefed on basic concepts of the debt sustainability analysis framework.
This course, presented by the IMF Statistics Department, is intended to provide participants with a thorough understanding of the international standards for the compilation of EDS presented in the 2013 EDS: Guide for Compilers and Users (2013 EDS Guide). It also offers practical compilation guidance on data sources and techniques for compiling EDS, as well as on analysis of these data, taking into account the relevant developments in the global financial market. It comprises a series of lectures, practical exercises, and case studies that cover: Recent developments in the global financial market (e.g., process of disintermediation, moving away from traditional cross-border investment vehicles, etc.) and their effect on EDS compilation;  Implementation of the 2013 EDS Guide and ensuring consistency and comparability among external debt statistics and other macroeconomic statistics, namely balance of payments, IIP, government finance statistics, and national accounts; Data dissemination and requirements of the World Banks Quarterly External Debt Statistics (QEDS) database.

This two-week intermediate regional course on balance of payments and IIP statistics is presented by Statistics Department and targets compilers with some experience in compilation of balance of payments and/or IIP. The course will focus on more complex methodological issues than the previous balance of payments/IIP standard courses. It aims at providing a deep understanding of the concepts, data sources, and compilation techniques for balance of payments and IIP statistics and their application for addressing complex methodological issues. The course does not cover the basic balance of payments and IIP concepts. The intermediate level of the course presupposes participants’ familiarity with the basic concepts. Therefore, it is highly recommended to complete the balance of payments/IIP online course (BOP-IIPx) to review or learn the balance of payments/IIP basic concepts. The course consists of a series of lectures and workshops analyzing country cases with a strong data component and to allow peer learning and sharing of experiences. Recognizing the challenges in compiling data in emerging areas of user interest, the course emphasizes specific topics, such as estimating informal cross border activities and the treatment of special purpose entities. The course examines themes and challenges emerging from developments in global economy, and participants can discuss how these impact compilation work. Specific exercises are geared to integrating data compilation with Fund surveillance and policy advice, and to demonstrate the analytical uses of ESS.

 

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)  introduces participants to the underlying concepts, definitions, and methodology for the compilation of Financial Soundness Indicators (FSIs). FSIs were developed by the IMF in the late 1990s and currently, more than 140 countries compile and report FSIs to the IMF. These indicators are widely used by researchers, analysts, and policymakers around the world to monitor the soundness of the financial system as a whole from a macroprudential perspective, as well as by IMF staff in financial stability analysis and surveillance. This course covers the history of the FSIs and their application in surveillance and macroprudential analysis, the conceptual framework for the FSIs, the data collection process for FSI compilation and its underlying aggregation and consolidation methodologies as well as the application of core and additional FSIs in macroprudential analysis. An important reference throughout this course is the Financial Soundness Indicators Compilation Guide revised in 2019. The 2019 FSIs Guide is the ultimate authority on FSI concepts and methods and is the foundation of this course.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, acquaints participants with the fundamentals of compiling and using FSIs in support of macroprudential analysis. The course covers methodological and technical issues in the construction of FSIs, as discussed in the 2019 Financial Soundness Indicators Compilation Guide (2019 FSI Guide). The course takes an interactive approach using hands-on exercises in discussing the main topics as follows: 

  • Preparation of the sectoral financial statements and compilation of FSIs for deposit takers; 
  • Regulatory framework for deposit takers; 
  • Accounting principles and data consolidation for the compilation of FSIs for deposit takers; and
  • Overview of key points and changes in the 2019 FSI Guide.

This course offers, in the first three days, an opportunity to learn the concepts, principles, sources, methods, accounting rules, and general framework used to compile GFS and PSDS. The fundamental features of GFS and PSDS: institutional units, sectorization, basis of reporting, transactions, other economic flows, accounts (revenue, expense, expenditure, assets, liabilities), statements, balance sheets, etc. will be covered. The course is taught using international standards presented in the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014) and the Public Sector Debt Statistics: Guide for Compilers and Users 2011 (PSDS Guide). Participants, especially GFS compilers, will be asked to come to the course prepared to discuss the current status of GFS/PSDS development, their views on capacity development requirements in their country. Articulating a needs assessment for each participating country will be a primary task on the fourth day of the course. To the extent possible, the course will feature applied components that are based on the South Asia experience.  

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, focuses on both the conceptual framework of government finance statistics (GFS) as presented in the IMF’s Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014) and on practical aspects of data compilation. Basic concepts and definitions, accounting principles, and detailed classifications are dealt with in the context of the GFSM 2014, which is harmonized with the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008). The course examines the GFS framework, as well as its coverage and accounting rules (including accrual accounting), classifications, balance sheets and debt, and the sources and methods used for compiling GFS. Lastly, the course discusses the dissemination of GFS and its uses in fiscal policymaking and analyses.

This course, presented by the IMF Statistics Department, focuses on both the conceptual framework of government finance statistics (GFS) as presented in the IMF’s Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014, the update of the 2001 edition), and on practical aspects of data compilation. Basic concepts, accounting principles, and detailed classifications are dealt with in the context of the new methodology, which is harmonized with the system of national accounts. The course examines GFS coverage and accounting rules (including accrual accounting), valuation, classification, debt, balance sheets, and the sources and methods used for compiling the statistics. It also deals with reporting data to the IMF. Central to the course is a series of case studies.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, focuses on the conceptual framework of government finance statistics (GFS) as presented in the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014), with an emphasis on new concepts introduced in GFSM 2014. The course requires that participants are familiar with the basic GFS framework and classification system. Emphasizing the integrated GFS framework, the course addresses complex cross-cutting GFS issues, such as social protection, government employee pension liabilities, standardized guarantee schemes, contracts, leases, licenses, public-private partnerships, and public sector balance sheets. It also examines coverage of the public sector, giving special attention to borderline and complex cases. The course discusses internal and intersectoral data consistency, coordination between data-producing agencies, as well as data presentation and communication with users. The format is lectures and discussions.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, discusses identification and assessment of elementary indicators and the techniques for combining them into a single overall index of economic activity to track trends in the economy. Flash estimates or indexes of economic activity bring together a range of specific economic elementary indicators to give timely overall measures of economic activity. Such measures give useful information to policy makers complementing the annual and quarterly GDP estimates (which are more comprehensive but usually only available after substantial lags) and provide a more comprehensive picture than a set of individual monthly and quarterly indicators (which are up-to-the-minute but reflect just a portion of the total economy). 
 
This course is oriented toward actual or potential compilers of short-term indicators in central banks and statistical offices as well as those involved in data collection of monthly indicators. Participants are expected to work with their own available monthly and quarterly time series during the course. These indicators will be used in the practical session to develop experimental estimates. 

This course, presented by Statistics Department, is based on the conceptual framework of the 2008 System of National Accounts (2008 SNA). It covers advanced methodological and practical issues related to the compilation of the sequence of accounts of the SNA (current and capital accounts, financial accounts, other changes in volume of assets accounts, revaluation accounts, and balance sheets) by institutional sectors. The course also examines the linkages between institutional sectors as a basis for establishing from-whom-to-whom accounts. The aim of the course is to provide participants with the necessary skills to compile—or further enhance—their country’s institutional sector accounts and the balance sheets. The course consists of lectures covering conceptual and methodological issues, workshops sessions on practical compilation issues, discussions on emerging financial issues such as fintech and crypto assets. It reviews case studies involving new applications of ISA such as household distributions to examine income, consumption and wealth accumulation by various cohorts and intergenerational transfers and pensions. The myriad ways in which the ISA supports economic policy is also examined. The lectures provide a thorough review of the methodological framework, concepts, and definitions relating to sectoral institutional sector accounts and balance sheets, examine potential data sources for the compilation of annual and quarterly ISA, and illustrate possible compilation techniques and procedures. The course also provides a forum for participants to share country practices and experiences relating to the compilation of sectoral institutional accounts and balance sheets.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, covers theoretical and practical issues related to the compilation of ISA (current and capital accounts, financial accounts, other changes in volume of assets accounts, and revaluation accounts) and balance sheets according to institutional sectors. The course is based on the conceptual framework of the System of National Accounts, 2008 (2008 SNA). The aim of the course is to provide participants with the necessary skills to compile the ISA and the balance sheets. The course consists of lectures covering conceptual and methodological issues as well as exercises that require the application of these concepts and that highlight practical compilation issues. The lectures provide a thorough review of the methodological framework, concepts, and definitions relating to ISA and balance sheets, including accounting rules, valuation, institutional units and sectors, and residency. The course will also outline potential data sources for their compilation and illustrate recommended compilation techniques and procedures.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, is intended to provide a thorough understanding of international trade in goods and services statistics. It offers practical advice on data sources and techniques for compiling these statistics. The course is mainly based on the BPM6 Compilation Guide and the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 2010 Compilers Guide (MSITS 2010 CG). The course consists of a series of lectures, workshops, and plenary discussions on country practices that cover concepts, sources, and methods for compiling statistics associated with international trade in goods and services. It also includes plenary discussions on country practices. Recognizing the challenges in compiling statistics for certain services categories, such as manufacturing and merchanting, insurance, financial services, and construction, the course emphasizes specific aspects of their treatment and how they are recorded in the balance of payments. Participants have the opportunity to discuss compilation problems they have encountered and gain insights into the analytical uses of statistics on the international trade in goods and services.

The virtual workshop will consist of sixteen sessions held over four days, including presentations and knowledge sharing sessions. It will build awareness on the indicators that the Fund uses for surveillance and indicators presented on the Fund’s Climate Change Indicator Dashboard. It will also outline the methods of compilation and use of key macro-relevant climate change indicators. The workshop comprises lectures, open discussions, and a concluding panel discussion. Apart from the countries covered by the SARTTAC, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the workshop could also be attended by other APD countries.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, introduces the fundamentals of compiling monetary statistics, with special attention to other financial corporations (OFCs). It also gives an overview of financial statistics and national accounts. The course material is based on the Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual and Compilation Guide (MFSMCG). Although the course summarizes the main principles underlying the compilation of monetary statistics, it assumes participants already understand these principles (e.g., having participated in the MFS-I course). The core of the course deals with characteristics of various OFCs (insurance corporations, pension funds, non-MMF investment funds, etc.), their typical balance sheet structure, and their role in the financial sector. The course also covers some aspects of financial statistics, dealing with financial flows and stocks of all sectors of the domestic economy and their interactions with the rest of the world; the balance sheet approach to vulnerability analysis; and the relationships between monetary, balance of payments, government finance, and national accounts statistics. The course consists of lectures and case studies to familiarize participants with practical aspects of compiling monetary statistics for OFCs and the basic principles underlying the compilation of national accounts. At the end of the course, participants are expected to make a short presentation on monetary statistics compilation issues in their own countries.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, provides participants with an introduction to the compilation of monetary statistics covering the central bank (CB) and other depository corporations (ODCs) in accordance with international standards. Course materials are based on the Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual and Compilation Guide (MFSMCG). The course discusses the principles of residency and sectorization of institutional units, the characteristics and types of financial instruments, valuation principles, and other accounting issues that are relevant to the compilation of monetary statistics. Participants also become familiar with the defining characteristics of depository corporations (DCs), notably their role as money issuers, and with the main principles on which analysis of monetary and credit aggregates is based. The course consists of lectures, and exercises covering practical aspects of compiling monetary statistics, especially the use of financial statements for filling out standardized report forms (SRFs 1SR and 2SR) and the derivation of the respective surveys for the CB, ODCs, and the consolidated DCs sector. Participants should be prepared to ask questions and discuss challenges related to MFS compilation practices. This course is an abbreviated version of the longer, introductory MFS course traditionally offered by STA in-person.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, covers theoretical and practical aspects in the compilation of national accounts statistics based on the conceptual framework of the System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA). The course consists of lectures covering methodological and compilation issues of the 2008 SNA and workshops consisting of practical exercises in compiling the accounts. The main aim of the course is to train participants in the compilation of annual gross domestic product (GDP) both at current prices and in volume terms using the production and expenditure approaches. The course starts with an overview of the SNA presenting the sequence of accounts for transactions and other flows as well as balance sheets with a focus on the framework of the 2008 SNA. It will cover the main concepts involving transactions, other economic flows, stocks, institutional units, classifications, and main macroeconomic aggregates measured by the system.

The main lectures and workshops include:

  • the production account covering the definition and measurement of output, intermediate consumption, and value added; valuation issues; and the treatment of particular industries;
  • source data and issues in the compilation of GDP by production and expenditure approaches
  • deflators and derivation of volume measures of GDP; and
  • specific issues related to goods and services transactions, including supply and use framework, inventory valuation adjustment, consumption of fixed capital, non-observed and informal economy.

The course also includes a session where the main 2025 SNA update topics are presented and discussed. Emphasis is also placed on sharing country experiences among the participants.
 

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, covers theoretical and practical aspects in the compilation of national accounts statistics based on the conceptual framework of the System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA). The course consists of lectures covering advanced methodological and compilation issues of the 2008 SNA and workshops consisting of practical exercises in compiling the accounts. The main aim of the course is to train participants in developing and using more advanced compilation techniques in areas including supply and use tables (SUTs), input-output tables, price and volume measures, and thematic satellite accounts. The course starts with SNA framework and will discuss how these accounts can be extended to address specific user needs. The main lectures and workshops include:

  • Conceptual framework of the SNA;
  • Output of specific industries;
  • SUTs and input-outputs tables;
  • Price and volume measurement;  
  • Estimating consumption of fixed capital; and
  • Thematic satellite accounts, with a focus on topics covered in the update of the 2008 SNA (e.g., informal economy, labor accounts).

Emphasis is also placed on sharing country experiences among the participants.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, teaches you how to compile timely, high quality national accounts statistics based on the system of national accounts (SNA) framework. The course introduces the sequence of national accounts, the accounting rules, and the key macroeconomic indicators in the SNA framework. You will learn about gross domestic product (GDP) – the main aggregate of the system, and how to compile consistent and internationally comparable measures of GDP according to the production, income, and expenditure approaches. The course also discusses in detail how the SNA can be used to track an economy's production, consumption, and income and how to estimate volume measures of GDP. 

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, is intended to deepen participants’ understanding of the concepts and methods of compiling PPIs and XMPIs. It provides an overview of the steps of index compilation including establishing index weights, sampling establishments, selecting and specifying transactions to be priced, calculating indexes, and disseminating the results. The role of price indexes as deflators in the 2008 SNA is analyzed, as are related principles of scope, coverage, and valuation. Issues related to expanding coverage of the services sectors are emphasized, including an overview of pricing methods for information and communication technology, transportation, distributive trade, and tourism services. 

The course covers the following topics:

  • calculating elementary aggregate indexes with and without item weights;
  • methods for handling temporarily and permanently missing items; 
  • chaining and linking indexes with updated weighting structures; 
  • compiling export-import indexes using the hybrid methodology; and
  • expanding coverage of the services sectors.

The course follows the principles and recommended practices in the PPI (2004) and XMPI (2009) manuals.
 

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, covers the fundamentals needed to compile and disseminate comprehensive public sector debt statistics (PSDS) that are useful for policy- and decision-makers, as well as other users. The course introduces the conceptual statistical framework for PSDS—as presented in the Public Sector Debt Statistics: Guide for Compilers and Users 2011 (PSDSG 2011)—in the context of the government finance statistics (GFS) framework, which is harmonized with other macroeconomic statistical frameworks. Basic concepts, definitions, and classifications are covered, along with the principal accounting rules (including valuation and consolidation) that are relevant for PSDS compilation. The course discusses the recommended instrument and institutional coverage for compiling comprehensive, internationally comparable PSDS, and how to record contingent liabilities such as government guarantees. It also deals with the impact on PSDS of some debt-related issues such as debt assumption, debt forgiveness, on-lending, financial leases, and financial bailouts. Important PSDS compilation considerations—including what PSDS to compile and disseminate—and the IMF’s guidelines and standards on disseminating PSDS are also covered. The course also presents possible uses of PSDS, including debt sustainability analyses (DSA), and fiscal risk and vulnerability analyses.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, focuses on the conceptual framework of public sector debt statistics as presented in the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014) and the Public Sector Debt Statistics: Guide for Compilers and Users (PSDSG). The course requires that participants are familiar with the basic government finance statistics (GFS) and PSDS framework and classification system. Emphasizing the integration of stock positions and flows in the framework, the course addresses more complex issues regarding the:

  • definition of gross and net debt in terms of debt instruments;
  • coverage and sectorization of the public sector, with special attention to borderline and complex cases;
  • valuation of public sector debt statistics; and
  • consolidation of public sector debt statistics.


In addition, the course addresses a number of complex cross-cutting PSDS issues, such as government employee pension liabilities, standardized guarantee schemes, contracts, leases, licenses, public-private partnerships, and the balance sheet approach (BSA) to identify risks and vulnerabilities.

The format is lectures and discussions.

This course, conducted by the Statistics Department, focuses on the conceptual framework of public sector debt statistics as presented in the Public Sector Debt Statistics: Guide for Compilers and Users 2011 (PSDSG 2011), as well as on the practical aspects of public sector debt data compilation. Basic concepts, accounting principles, and detailed classifications are dealt with in the context of the methodology that is harmonized with the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014) and the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008). The course examines coverage and accounting rules of the public sector debt statistics framework, valuation, classification, selected methodological issues, and the sources and methods used for compiling the statistics. It also deals with debt data reporting to the IMF and World Bank. The course is organized around a series of case studies.

This course, conducted by the IMF Statistics Department, deals with the conceptual framework of public sector debt statistics as presented in the Public Sector Debt Statistics Guide and on the practical aspects of compiling public sector debt data. Basic concepts, accounting principles, and detailed classifications are discussed in the context of methodology harmonized with government finance statistics and the system of national accounts. The course examines coverage and accounting rules for public sector debt, valuation, classification, important methodological issues, and the sources and methods used for compiling the statistics. It also deals with reporting debt data to the IMF and the World Bank. The course is organized around a series of case studies.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, offers an opportunity for thorough understanding of concepts, sources of data, and compilation techniques for producing quarterly national accounts statistics. The course is based on the IMF Quarterly National Accounts Manual (2017 Edition) and oriented to national accounts compilers from countries that are improving, developing, or planning to develop quarterly national accounts (QNA). The course covers both theoretical and practical compilation issues, specifically the following main topics: 

  • the scope and role of QNA;
  • data sources for compiling quarterly GDP estimates (mainly using production and expenditure approaches);
  • editing procedures and dealing with indicators;
  • benchmarking techniques for combining quarterly indicators with annual estimates;
  • seasonal adjustments;
  • price and volume measures;
  • chain-linking techniques for compiling QNA time series;
  • early estimates of quarterly GDP;
  • other specific QNA issues; and
  • revision policy and dissemination practices.

The course consists of lectures, workshops, and small group discussions.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, prepares participants to compile QNA and/or HFIEA by providing them with a thorough understanding of the concepts, source data, and compilation techniques used for producing these datasets. The course covers both theoretical and practical compilation issues. It introduces participants to benchmarking, seasonal adjustment techniques, as well as volume estimates; and explains the application of these techniques to time series data. Participants will learn how to identify and assess available data sources for compiling QNA and HFIEAs; use related real-time series databases to assess the quality of QNA and HFIEAs; and implement a suitable revisions policy.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department, identifies the key uses of RPPIs; reviews data sources and methods for compiling RPPIs; and outlines strategic issues for country-specific application. Emphasis is given to the importance of evaluating alternative data sources for compiling RPPIs in terms of coverage, timeliness, richness in terms of supporting a quality-mix methodology, suitability of a price measure, and weighting. Trade-offs involved in selecting data sources are considered, as are strategies for longer-run development of data sources. The methodological component of the course emphasizes the quality-mix problem: a change in the mix of properties transacted each period can bias measures of change in average prices. Mix-adjustment by stratification and hedonic regression are the main methods used to deal with this issue and interactive workshops deal with these topics. The course also highlights how data source and methodological issues are intertwined and follows the principles of the 2013 Handbook on RPPIs published by Eurostat, International Labor Organization (ILO), IMF, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the World Bank. Practical advice on RPPI compilation will draw on the 2020 RPPI Practical Compilation Guide published by the IMF.

This course, presented by the Statistics Department and delivered in collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the European Central Bank (ECB), familiarizes participants with the methodology recommended by the Handbook on Securities Statistics, a joint undertaking of the IMF, the BIS, and the ECB, published in May 2015. The course covers definition and features of securities, securitization, and related operation; valuation and recording of securities; classification schemes and presentation tables for securities; and security-by-security databases. A practical exercise on valuation and recording of different types of debt securities complements the lectures.

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