In the present paper, the civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system experiences of five countries in the region-Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and the Philippines-are highlighted. In the case studies, a brief account is provided of the progress, challenges and lessons learned on key aspects of importance for CRVS systems in each country, and a glimpse is offered of the diversity of CRVS systems across the region. Some of the key strategies implemented by countries to address challenges in CRVS systems include legal and policy changes; improved collaboration across multiple sectors, in particular between the registration and statistical authorities; the growing involvement of the health sector in the notification of vital events and in improving the ascertainment of causes of death; public information campaigns; and capacity development for the analysis, dissemination and use of vital statistics for policy and planning purposes.
National statistical systems have been faced with the demand for more timely and granular social statistics. Addressing the demand is a challenge but new data sources have become available. In this context, a strong foundation in the generation of statistics is needed for national statistical systems given the availability of data sources outside of the traditional ones. Many statistical systems have gained trust by using international statistical standards and they should continue to benefit from newer standards that result from the Sustainable Development Goals requirements and the availability of newer sources of data. However, challenges persist. Focusing on those related to standards, the following are the challenges: lack of resources and technical knowledge on international standards; lack of inventory of international standards for entities within the national statistical system; lack of knowledge by line ministries on professional and technical independence and code of ethics; inadequate human and financial resources; insufficient awareness among line ministries on the importance of implementing international standards. To address the deficiency of data, especially on social sector statistics, traditional methods and tested frameworks should be augmented by new sources of information. The implementation of the Cape Town Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development (CT-GAP) is crucial in addressing the challenges. The national statistical systems of Mexico, led by the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia (INEGI), and the Philippines, led by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), are examples of how developing countries address challenges to producing official statistics.
With the advancement of technology, digitalization, and the internet of things, large amounts of complex data are being produced daily. This vast quantity of various data produced at high speed is referred to as Big Data. The utilization of Big Data is being implemented with success in the private sector, yet the public sector seems to be falling behind despite the many potentials Big Data has already presented. In this regard, this paper explores ways in which the government can recognize the use of Big Data for official statistics. It begins by gathering and presenting Big Data-related initiatives and projects across the globe for various types and sources of Big Data implemented. Further, this paper discusses the opportunities, challenges, and risks associated with using Big Data, particularly in official statistics. This paper also aims to assess the current utilization of Big Data in the country through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Based on desk review, discussions, and interviews, the paper then concludes with a proposed framework that provides ways in which Big Data may be utilized by the government to augment official statistics.
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