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Economical InformationEconomical Information

Afg/US$ 45.70Afg/US$ 45.70

GDP in US$ (Mn) 12762GDP in US$ (Mn) 12762

Population Growth 2.03Population Growth 2.03

GDP/Capita (US$) 500GDP/Capita (US$) 500

GDP Growth Rate 17.1 GDP Growth Rate 17.1

Inflation Rate 4.9Inflation Rate 4.9

Life expectancy 44Life expectancy 44

Infant Mortality 111/1000 live birthsInfant Mortality 111/1000 live births

Maternal mortality Rate 1600/100000 live birthsMaternal mortality Rate 1600/100000 live births

Central statistics organization was established in 1971 as Central statistics organization was established in 1971 as an autonomous organization, from statistics cells of different an autonomous organization, from statistics cells of different ministries and departments.ministries and departments.

Since then CSO has been operating as the national Since then CSO has been operating as the national statistical agency in thestatistical agency in the country.country.

During years of war and conflict CSO like all other During years of war and conflict CSO like all other organizations suffered allot.organizations suffered allot.

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Mandate of CSOMandate of CSO

The Statistical Law (July 2006) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has The Statistical Law (July 2006) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has given the following mandate to CSO:given the following mandate to CSO:

““Article 2 : The Central Statistics Organization shall function, as an Article 2 : The Central Statistics Organization shall function, as an independent governmental administration, for the purpose of creating an independent governmental administration, for the purpose of creating an integrated scientific system for statistics, ensuring harmonization and integrated scientific system for statistics, ensuring harmonization and coordination of all statistical activities in the nation.”coordination of all statistical activities in the nation.”

The Act also gives the CSO powers to authorize or not any other public The Act also gives the CSO powers to authorize or not any other public body to conduct surveys.body to conduct surveys.

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Current Structure of CSOCurrent Structure of CSO

Currently CSO has the following main Departments:Currently CSO has the following main Departments:

Department of National Accounts and Price StatisticsDepartment of National Accounts and Price Statistics Department of Economic StatisticsDepartment of Economic Statistics Department of Demography and Social StatisticsDepartment of Demography and Social Statistics Department of Field Operation (including an advanced Database and Geographic Department of Field Operation (including an advanced Database and Geographic

Information System, GIS, Unit)Information System, GIS, Unit) Department of Planning and Aid-coordination Department of Planning and Aid-coordination Department of Finance and Administration Department of Finance and Administration

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Network of CSONetwork of CSO

Pan-Afghanistan Network. CSO has offices in all 34 provinces of the country.Pan-Afghanistan Network. CSO has offices in all 34 provinces of the country. CSO will have centers in all districts of the country in the future.CSO will have centers in all districts of the country in the future.

The staff strength of CSO is about 850 people, out of which, 250 are in provinces.The staff strength of CSO is about 850 people, out of which, 250 are in provinces.

A large manpower of CSO is trained in statistical work (data collection, organization, A large manpower of CSO is trained in statistical work (data collection, organization, management). Some people are even trained abroad on long-term courses.management). Some people are even trained abroad on long-term courses.

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Statistical Master Plan 2004 – A vision to create a statistical system in Afghanistan.7-Year Capacity Building Plan 2008 –Costed Plan to implement Statistical Master Plan. ANSP 2010 – Prioritized and Sequenced Plan for Statistical Development in Afghanistan.

Developed in close coordination with the Ministries, Departments and Donors through Task Force and Bilateral Meetings.

Has brought down cost from 120 million USD in 7-year Plan to about 30 million USD.

Ready to be implemented.Based on ANSP funding from Statistics for Result Facilities (SRF)

for capacity building was requested. SRF council approved US$ 14 millions for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP)Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP)

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Administrative Data :

A new emphasis on administrative statistical system is being given as they form the real backbone of decision-making and planning processes.

data from administrative source are collected every year & presented in the form of statistical yearbook . The important sectors covered are –

Population EstimatesHealth and Education (including culture and media)EnvironmentNational AccountsAgricultureIndustryInflation and Exchange rateExternal TradeFiscal StatisticsDonor Assistance

Main Activities of CSOMain Activities of CSO

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Census of Population and Housing :

Council of Ministers approved postponement of Census from 2008 to 2010 in June 2008.

The preliminary work for conducting of Census such as Updating of Household Listing, Pilot census etc. are delayed because of –

Lack of fundsDeteriorating Security situation

Updating of Household Listing was taken up from 6th August 2009 to 30th January 2010 and data processing is now on going.

Main Activities of CSO Main Activities of CSO

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Surveys :

National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) Provides important data on poverty, food security, unemployment, migration,

health, education, etc. work for NRVA survey 2011 start in April of current year with substantial

changes in design to make it more effective and result-oriented. Integrated Business Establishment Survey : Survey completed and draft Report

prepared and Report launched in December 2010. Survey on Women and Men in Decision Making – First phase of the survey covering

civil servants (Grade 2 and above) completed . Data has been analyzed and Report will be launched soon .

Data-cleaning and data-entry of Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey started in December 2010.

Consumer Price Indices (CPI) surveys conducted on monthly basis.

Main Activities of CSOMain Activities of CSO

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Lack of Capacity especially in view of implementation of Afghanistan National Statistical Plan and SRF.

Lack of physical and communication infrastructure especially in provinces.

Lack of statistical capacity in some ministries and departments to provide administrative data.

Multiplicity of data providers and their non-coordination with CSO although required by the Statistical law.

Lack of awareness about the importance of data at all levels. Lack of up to date topographic maps and satellite images

Challenges AheadChallenges Ahead

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FutureFuture PlanesPlanesCSO plans to conduct following surveys in next 7 yearsCSO plans to conduct following surveys in next 7 years

Survey on Participation of Women and Men in Decision Making Survey on Participation of Women and Men in Decision Making (second phase )(second phase )

Labor Force SurveyLabor Force Survey Household Income and Expenditure SurveyHousehold Income and Expenditure Survey Child Labor SurveyChild Labor Survey National Demographic SurveyNational Demographic Survey National Health SurveyNational Health Survey Census of AgricultureCensus of Agriculture Census of EstablishmentsCensus of Establishments Small-scale survey on AgricultureSmall-scale survey on Agriculture Expanded Consumer Price SurveyExpanded Consumer Price Survey

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Need for harmonizationNeed for harmonization

As highlighted by the third meeting of the Heads of As highlighted by the third meeting of the Heads of NCOs of member countries, harmonization of statistical NCOs of member countries, harmonization of statistical concepts ,definition and methods is needed to support concepts ,definition and methods is needed to support integration and comparability of information in the region.integration and comparability of information in the region.

It has to be noted that harmonization is a long term and It has to be noted that harmonization is a long term and complex process and involve real challenges to complex process and involve real challenges to overcomeovercome

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Tools for harmonization Tools for harmonization

Compliance with international standards is an Compliance with international standards is an important tool to harmonize and strengthen NSOs important tool to harmonize and strengthen NSOs in the region.in the region.

Regional cooperation is required to compile, Regional cooperation is required to compile, communicate, use and document statistical communicate, use and document statistical standards. standards.

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Areas of harmonizationAreas of harmonization In line with the previous decision, major areas to be considered for In line with the previous decision, major areas to be considered for

harmonization can be the following:harmonization can be the following: Development and maintenance of a regional statistical database.Development and maintenance of a regional statistical database.

Development and maintenance of a webpage to facilitate access to Development and maintenance of a webpage to facilitate access to different sources of data in the region.different sources of data in the region.

Development of a metadata to provide information about what date Development of a metadata to provide information about what date is available in the region. is available in the region.

Customization of international standard for the region concepts, Customization of international standard for the region concepts, declination methodology etc.declination methodology etc.

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RecommendationsRecommendationsIn order to develop harmonized statistics in the In order to develop harmonized statistics in the

region we recommend the following :region we recommend the following : Sharing of experience among member Sharing of experience among member

countries / through organizing training countries / through organizing training Workshops exchange of experts, some study Workshops exchange of experts, some study tour etctour etc

Customization of international standard / Customization of international standard / classifications for the region in collaboration classifications for the region in collaboration with international agencies. with international agencies.

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RecommendationsRecommendations

Creation of a section within the directorate of Creation of a section within the directorate of project & Economic research & statistics to project & Economic research & statistics to look after the harmonization issues. If such look after the harmonization issues. If such section already exists strengthening it. section already exists strengthening it.

I would like to know the latest progress made I would like to know the latest progress made or action being taken on these proposals and or action being taken on these proposals and suggestions. suggestions.

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Thank you