IMF Working Papers

Price Statistics Compilation in 196 Economies: The Relevance for Policy Analysis

By Francien Berry, Brian Graf, Michael Stanger, Mari Ylä-Jarkko

July 26, 2019

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Francien Berry, Brian Graf, Michael Stanger, and Mari Ylä-Jarkko. Price Statistics Compilation in 196 Economies: The Relevance for Policy Analysis, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2019) accessed September 19, 2024

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

The consumer price index (CPI) is a key economic indicator used to gauge inflation, adjust wages, pensions, and social benefits. The producer prices index (PPI) is used for forecasting and deflating GDP estimates. Both indexes are used by the Fund, policymakers, and researchers for global, regional, and domestic surveillance. In this context, the paper evaluates the soundness of the indexes by assessing four major criteria: frequency of updating the weights, the index coverage, timeliness, and the use of international classifications. We discuss online and scanner data as frontier issues. The study shows that the CPI is universally and frequently compiled, timely, and fairly-well aligned with international standards. However, the weights used to compile the index are updated in only 45 percent of economies and have national coverage in 76 percent. PPIs, compiled by only 126 economies are timely, but there is scope for continued improvement as only 36 percent of economies have updated PPI weights and approximately 67 percent maintain the recommended coverage. Outdated weights impact the reliability of the indexes for policy analysis. Frequently updated weights and well-represented coverage mitigate against biases and ensure that the indexes properly measure the price evolution in the economy.

Subject: Consumer price indexes, Inflation targeting, National accounts, Price indexes, Producer price indexes

Keywords: CPI weight, Economy service, Inflation targeting economy, PPI compilation, PPI coverage, Services PPI, Weight update, WP

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    28

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 2019/163

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA2019163

  • ISBN:

    9781513508313

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941

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