Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) Practical Compilation Guide

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Canonical URL: Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) Practical Compilation Guide

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Overview

The Guide sets out practical advice on the compilation of a Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) based on the conceptual approach described in the Handbook on Residential Property Price Indices (Handbook), published in 2013.
The Guide was prepared by the IMF Statistics Department, building on experience gathered during technical assistance and training missions delivered to RPPI compilers from more than 80 countries over the past six years.
Compilers have expressed the need for practical guidance to complement the theoretical content of the Handbook, particularly when transitioning from less to more sophisticated methods.

Intended audience and prerequisites

Written for data compilers in statistical offices, central banks, housing agencies, or other statistical agencies.
Using the Guide requires a background in statistics and some knowledge of econometrics.

Structure and contents

The Guide is divided into three sections.
- Section 1:
- Illustrates the type of data commonly used to construct RPPIs.
- Describes how compilers can evaluate the quality of source data.
- Outlines how to prepare or pre-process data prior to compiling an RPPI.
- Stresses the importance of selecting appropriate weights and the different types of data that can be used to construct weights.
- Section 2:
- Outlines the different methods that can be used to compile RPPIs.
- Section 3:
- Provides guidance on dissemination practices.
- Suggests additional indicators compilers may want to construct to complement the RPPI.

Practical exercises and synthetic dataset

The Guide includes several practical exercises that utilize a synthetic data set built by the Central Statistics Office Ireland (CSO).
The Synthetic House Price Dataset is available from the IMF to compilers, researchers, and students who agree to specified conditions of use.
Conditions of use required by the Guide:

1. The Synthetic House Price Dataset will only be used for training and educational purposes. 2. The CSO Ireland is to be acknowledged as the source of the Synthetic House Price Dataset. 3. In all coursework material, training workshops and related reports the dataset is referred to as the Synthetic House Price Dataset, or simply as a synthetic dataset, not as Ireland’s Residential Property Price Index dataset. 4. Acknowledgement that the CSO Ireland is not liable in any way for the usage of the Synthetic House Price Dataset. All analyses, inferences and interpretations of the data and all consequences thereof are entirely the responsibility of the data user. 5. Neither the Synthetic House Price Dataset, full or partial copies of the dataset, are to be made available to any third party.

Access procedure and contact

The IMF will provide the Synthetic House Price Dataset upon request to compilers, researchers and students who agree to the conditions of use.
Requests for access should be emailed to the Division Chief of the Real Sector Division of the Statistics Department (rppi@imf.org) of the IMF.
The request should include information on the reason for access (compilation, research, study), organization details (if any) and other relevant information.
A register of users who receive the Synthetic House Price Dataset will be maintained by the IMF.

Practical tools and updates

The Guide refers to R scripts that can be used in conjunction with the practical exercises.
These scripts are currently being reviewed. Updated scripts will be made available when the review has been completed.

Related IMF publications (titles and dates as listed)

World Economic Outlook: Global Economy in Crosscurrents of War and Technology — July 8, 2026
Global Financial Stability Report: Global Financial Markets Confront the War in the Middle East and Amplification Risks — April 14, 2026
Fiscal Monitor: Fiscal Policy under Pressure: High Debt, Rising Risks — April 15, 2026
Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific; Europe; Middle East and Central Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa; Western Hemisphere
Annual Report of the Executive Board: Getting to Growth in an Age of Uncertainty — September 24, 2025

Content in this bundle

RPPI Practical Guide
- RPPI Practical Guide (Markdown version)
- RPPI Practical Guide (PDF)