## An Algorithm to Balance Supply and Use Tables

_Technical Notes and Manuals, October 25, 2018_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [An Algorithm to Balance Supply and Use Tables](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/tnm/issues/2018/11/02/an-algorithm-to-balance-supply-and-use-tables-46033)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/tnm/issues/2018/11/02/an-algorithm-to-balance-supply-and-use-tables-46033/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/tnm/issues/2018/11/02/an-algorithm-to-balance-supply-and-use-tables-46033/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/tnm/issues/2018/11/02/an-algorithm-to-balance-supply-and-use-tables-46033/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Michael Stanger
- Published: October 25, 2018
- Series: Technical Notes and Manuals
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484363966.005

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### Purpose and importance of SUTs
- Supply and Use Tables (SUTs) serve to increase the quality of GDP and related aggregates by providing a framework to detect and resolve inconsistencies in data sources.
- SUTs permit users to access information on detailed production functions, consumption, export, and import baskets, or to derive input-output tables.
- SUT compilation is data intensive and requires a balancing process; the balancing procedure is labor intensive and generally requires several long and sometimes tedious iterations, which has an adverse effect on timeliness.

### The IMF algorithm and expected benefits
- The note describes a basic algorithm developed by the IMF to balance supply and use tables automatically, allowing a much faster SUT balancing process.
- Automation reduces the need for several long and sometimes tedious manual iterations, improving timeliness of SUT compilation.

### Implementation: SUTB Excel tool
- For training purposes, the algorithm has been implemented as an Excel tool named SUTB, making it operational almost globally.
- The optimization process is illustrated with an example in the note.

### Analytical uses and scope
- SUTs and the balancing algorithm support analyses of:
  - detailed production functions
  - household consumption
  - exports and imports baskets
  - derivation of input-output tables

### Subject coverage and keywords (as provided)
- Subject: Consumption, Exports, Household consumption, Imports, International trade, National accounts
- Keywords: Consumption, Exports, GDP, Household consumption, Imports, input data, Input-Output Tables, secondary product, Supply and Use Tables, supply matrix, SUT algorithm, SUT balancing, SUT compilation, SUT framework, System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA), TNM

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## Content in this bundle

- **tnm-1803**
  - [tnm-1803 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/tnm/2018/tnm-1803.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [tnm-1803 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/tnm/2018/tnm-1803.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/tnm/issues/2018/11/02/an-algorithm-to-balance-supply-and-use-tables-46033_