## Building Statistical Capacity in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States

_IMF Working Papers, February 25, 2022_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Building Statistical Capacity in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2022/02/25/building-statistical-capacity-in-fragile-and-conflict-affected-states-512794)

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Yasmin Alem, Jacinta Bernadette Shirakawa
- Published: February 25, 2022
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400202742.001

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### Key findings
- The IMF’s Statistics Department capacity development program has prioritized technical assistance and training to fragile and conflict-affected states.
- These interventions have yielded only slightly weaker results in fragile states than in other states.
- Capacity development is constantly needed to make up for the dissipation of progress resulting from:
  - insufficient resources that fragile and conflict-affected states allocate to the statistical function,
  - inadequate inter-agency coordination, and
  - the pervasive impact of shocks exogenous to the statistical system.
- Statistical capacity development is more effective when it is tailored to countries’ level of fragility.

### Drivers of weak or dissipating statistical progress
- Low or insufficient domestic resource allocation to the statistical function in fragile and conflict-affected states.
- Poor inter-agency coordination that undermines sustained statistical system improvements.
- Frequent or pervasive exogenous shocks that erode prior capacity development gains.
- Low absorptive capacity in fragile states that limits the impact of standard interventions.

### Policy recommendations and programmatic adjustments
- Maintain continuous capacity development efforts to offset dissipation of progress.
- Increase coordination:
  - with other capacity development providers, and
  - within the IMF,
  to help partially overcome low absorptive capacity in fragile states.
- Tailor statistical capacity development interventions to countries’ level of fragility to improve effectiveness.

*Yasmin Alem, and Jacinta Bernadette Shirakawa. "Building Statistical Capacity in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States", February 25, 2022.*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Working Paper**
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  - [Working Paper (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/wp/2022/english/wpiea2022045-print-pdf.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2022/02/25/building-statistical-capacity-in-fragile-and-conflict-affected-states-512794_