Panel on ‘Statistical Data for Policy Decision Making in Ethiopia’, African Statistics Day Workshop organized by the Ethiopian Statistics Service (ESS). 17-Nov-22.

1. ESS Data from a User’s Perspective
Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse
Panel on ‘Statistical Data for Policy Decision Making in
Ethiopia’,
African Statistics Day Workshop organized by the
Ethiopian Statistics Service (ESS)
November 17, 2022
Capital Hotel, Addis Ababa

2. Outline
 ESS Data – What is collected;
 ESS Data – Achievements;
 ESS Data – Some suggestions;

3. CSA Data – What is collected?
 Annual
 Agricultural Sample Survey – detailed production data (30 years old);
 Large and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises Survey – detailed operations
data (until recently a census);
 Prices;
 Administrative data – Education, health, trade, financial sector, government
finances (complied from different sources for the Statistical Abstract
Ethiopia);
 Periodic – some are regular and others not (irregular)
 Population and Housing Census – every ten years;
 Household Income, Consumption, and Expenditure Survey - every five
years;
 Welfare Monitoring Survey; Demographic and Health Survey (every five
years);
 Labour force survey, Urban Unemployment;
 Small scale industries surveys, Handicrafts and cottage industries survey;
 Informal sector;
 Distributive services, Transport and communications
 Requested/Project specific
 Example – PSNP, AGP, FTF

4. CSA Data – Achievements
 Coverage
 Considerable;
 Regular;
 Timeliness
 Significantly improved, particularly for annual surveys and
Statistical Abstract – some relapse recently;
 Quality
 Improved, need to continue to improve
 Accessibility
 Much better in recent years;
 Many reports online (when the webpage is accessible)

5. CSA Data – Some suggestions
 Background
 A local economy getting bigger and more complex – signs of transformation
o more businesses with growing size and diversity, new and more
technologically advanced sectors emerging.
o A growing population urbanizing rapidly, living longer, and getting more
educated, more connected with the rest of the world – the tastes and
aspirations of citizens are changing both as consumers,
producers/workers, and investors.
 the government is drawing and implementing comprehensive reforms and
development plans to accelerate structural transformation with the
corresponding demand for more fine-tuned policy decisions;
 rising uncertainty in the global environment
 Implication – knowledge becomes a critical input in decision making
o high quality data indispensable – dynamic ESS is central;
o robust analysis

6. CSA Data – Some Suggestions
 (aware of NSDS, appreciate the capacity constraints)
 Structural
 Promote ESS as a strategic organization (an organization of strategic
importance for the functioning and development of the country) – more
resources, differential staff incentives, greater autonomy (consider a return
to accountable to Parliament status);
 Promote the value of statistics in the country and among citizens (media,
open day)
 Methodological - Broad
 Capacity and data quality assessment mechanisms
o Robust consistency checks,
o Conduct in-depth validation surveys and studies in collaboration with
local and international partners;
o Regular, transparent, and public reviews of capacity and methodology;
 Form and actively engage targeted advisory panels – some attempt made;
 Enhance the analytical responsibility and capacity of ESS beyond survey
reports – specifically initiate and build in-house research;

7. CSA Data – Some Suggestions
 Methodological - Specific
 Collect panel data (rotating panel);
 Expand systematic and regular coverage of shocks (drought,
floods, … ) in collaboration with MoA, NMA, …
 Appropriately use modelling (e.g., small area estimation);
 Access
 Charge for access;
 Improve online services
 Support - in-country partnerships are critical for sustainability and
progress
 Work more closely with research organisations (EIAR, ATI, …)
and with the professional associations (Statistics, Economics, ...)
– improving, and private sector operators (Chambers of
commerce,…)

8. 8
Thank You