Training Program

Officials responsible for compiling national accounts statistics.

Participants are expected to have a degree in economics or statistics; or equivalent experience.

This two-week 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 (using production, expenditure and income 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.