The specifications of the economic and financial data for the IMF's Special Data
Dissemination Standard (SDDS) are in terms of:
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Coverage: |
the categories and components that are most important in shedding light on macroeconomic
performance and policy. The standard identifies for each of the four sectors of
the economy (i) a comprehensive statistical framework; (ii) data that permit frequent
tracking of the principal measures in the framework; and (iii) other data relevant
to the sector. |
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Periodicity: |
the frequency of compilation--daily, weekly, monthly, etc.
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Timeliness: |
the maximum lapse of time between a reference date (or close of a reference period)
and dissemination--for example, one month.
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Please click here for information about the possible use of
flexibility options for the data categories in this sector.
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Coverage: |
The national accounts feature Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a measure of the output
of the economy. For this comprehensive statistical framework, the standard calls
for GDP by major expenditure category and/or productive sector, showing nominal
levels and real (price-adjusted) levels, together with associated prices (deflators
or price indices). At least two of the three are required. Provision of gross national
income (formerly GNP) and saving is encouraged. Classification according to the
1968 or 1993 editions of the
System of National Accounts is strongly encouraged.
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Periodicity: |
Quarterly |
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Timeliness: |
One quarter |
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Coverage: |
A single production index or a selection of production indices is called for by
the standard to track GDP. The index that is relevant in a country will depend on
its economic structure. |
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Periodicity: |
Monthly (or as relevant) |
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Timeliness: |
Six weeks (one month encouraged, or as relevant) |
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Coverage: |
The standard encourages dissemination of relevant forward-looking indicators such
as surveys of expectations, surveys of orders (e.g., for manufactured products),
or composite indices. |
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Periodicity: |
Monthly or quarterly |
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Timeliness: |
One month or one quarter |
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Coverage: |
Employment, unemployment, and wages/earnings are called for, as relevant. The standard
does not prescribe a definition for this category or its components, but encourages
the use of the International Labour Office's (ILO)
concepts, definitions and classifications. |
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Periodicity: |
Quarterly |
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Timeliness: |
One quarter |
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Coverage: |
Consumer price indices and producer or wholesale price indices are prescribed. |
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Periodicity: |
Monthly |
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Timeliness: |
One month |
