Algeria does not subscribe to either the Special Data Dissemination Standard or the less stringent General Data Dissemination Standard (GDDS). The IMF, in its 2005 Article IV Consultation, noted that following the expiration of its extended arrangement in May 1998, the reporting of statistics to the Fund generally deteriorated, particularly with respect to the overall quality and timeliness of data reported between IMF missions. The IMF reported in its 2006 Article IV Consultation, published in 2007, that Algeria had intended to participate in the GDDS by 2006, and had begun compiling metadata toward that end. However, both the 2007 IMF report and the GDDS website disclose that, as yet, Algeria has not met GDDS subscription requirements.

General Overview

As disclosed on the website for the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS), Algeria is not an SDDS subscriber. In the most recent IMF Article IV Consultation (for the year 2006), which was published in February 2007, it was reported that Algeria had intended to participate in the IMF's less rigorous General Data Dissemination Standard (GDDS) by 2006, and had begun compiling metadata toward that end. However, both the 2007 IMF report and the GDDS website disclose that, as yet, Algeria has not met GDDS subscription requirements.

The 2007 IMF report found that "Algeria's data provision to the Fund is broadly adequate for effective surveillance, but there are serious weaknesses particularly in government finance statistics" (p. 35). Factors contributing to Algeria's weak statistical regime include inadequate funding for statistical compilation, poor coordination across agencies, and concerns about possible inaccuracies. In a "Statistical Issues" annex to the IMF report, Algeria's performance was assessed across four major categories of metadata normally published on the IMF's GDDS and SDDS websites: real sector data, government finance statistics, monetary accounts, and balance of payments data. Algeria's reporting of real sector data was criticized for its irregularity and lack of timeliness. While Algeria has reported national accounts data to the International Financial Statistics Yearbook, it was for the year 2003, did not conform to current national accounts methodology, and was incomplete. The IMF suggested that Algeria adopt the System of National Accounts 1993 methodology to address at least some of these problems. In 2004 and 2005, an IMF technical mission worked with Algeria's National Statistical office to help develop a procedure for the quarterly production of national accounts data.

The IMF's 2004 Article IV Consultation report (published in 2005) provides some historical background to the state of Algeria's statistical regime. According to the report, statistical reporting to the IMF deteriorated beginning in 1998, and this deterioration was attributed to insufficient funding, poor interagency coordination, and accuracy issues, all of which problems have been reiterated in the more recent (2007) IMF report. At the time of the 2005 publication, the IMF ventured the concern that these problems, if left unaddressed, could "reach a point where adequate surveillance is not possible" (p. 43). At the time of the 2005 publication, the IMF strongly urged that Algeria take steps to qualify for GDDS participation, stating that this "would provide a comprehensive and consistent framework for improving Algeria's statistics, attract the required technical assistance from the Fund and other donors, and serve to signal to the world Algeria's seriousness about improving its statistics" (p. 43).

The National Office of Statistics (NOS) website discloses that the NOS was created in 1964 and that its current legislative underpinnings derive from Decree No. 94-01 (15/01/1994), which sets forth the general principles, organization, rights, rules, and responsibilities entailed by the compilation, analysis, and dissemination of statistics in Algeria. The NOS is charged with assuring regular, reliable statistical data and studies for use in economic decision making and policy follow-up.

The Principles

Comprehensive economic and financial data, disseminated on a timely basis.

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The IMF websites for the SDDS and GDDS disclose that Algeria does not subscribe to either standard. Although Algeria expressed its intent to participate in the GDDS in 2006, the most recent IMF Article IV Consultation notes that it has not, as yet, met participation requirements.

Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF Article IV Consultations (published in 2005 and 2007, respectively) note that statistical reporting to the IMF was and remains deficient. These deficiencies are attributed to inadequate financial resources, poor interagency coordination, and issues regarding inaccuracies. Problems were noted in the areas of reliability, coverage, and timeliness of data, and a reluctance to commit provisional data to publication. Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF reports found that at least the monetary data compiled and provided to the Fund were "broadly adequate" for surveillance and policy formulation.

Ready and equal access to official statistics.

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The IMF websites for the SDDS and GDDS disclose that Algeria does not subscribe to either standard. Although Algeria expressed its intent to participate in the GDDS in 2006, the most recent IMF Article IV Consultation notes that it has not, as yet, met participation requirements.

Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF Article IV Consultations (published in 2005 and 2007, respectively) note that statistical reporting to the IMF was and remains deficient. These deficiencies are attributed to inadequate financial resources, poor interagency coordination, and issues regarding inaccuracies. Problems were noted in the areas of reliability, coverage, and timeliness of data, and a reluctance to commit provisional data to publication. Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF reports found that at least the monetary data compiled and provided to the Fund were "broadly adequate" for surveillance and policy formulation.

Official statistics must have the confidence of their users. Transparency of its practices and procedures is a key factor.

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The IMF websites for the SDDS and GDDS disclose that Algeria does not subscribe to either standard. Although Algeria expressed its intent to participate in the GDDS in 2006, the most recent IMF Article IV Consultation notes that it has not, as yet, met participation requirements.

Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF Article IV Consultations (published in 2005 and 2007, respectively) note that statistical reporting to the IMF was and remains deficient. These deficiencies are attributed to inadequate financial resources, poor interagency coordination, and issues regarding inaccuracies. Problems were noted in the areas of reliability, coverage, and timeliness of data, and a reluctance to commit provisional data to publication. Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF reports found that at least the monetary data compiled and provided to the Fund were "broadly adequate" for surveillance and policy formulation.

A set of standards that deals with the coverage, periodicity and timeliness of data must also address the quality of statistics.

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The IMF websites for the SDDS and GDDS disclose that Algeria does not subscribe to either standard. Although Algeria expressed its intent to participate in the GDDS in 2006, the most recent IMF Article IV Consultation notes that it has not, as yet, met participation requirements.

Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF Article IV Consultations (published in 2005 and 2007, respectively) note that statistical reporting to the IMF was and remains deficient. These deficiencies are attributed to inadequate financial resources, poor interagency coordination, and issues regarding inaccuracies. Problems were noted in the areas of reliability, coverage, and timeliness of data, and a reluctance to commit provisional data to publication. Both the 2004 and 2006 IMF reports found that at least the monetary data compiled and provided to the Fund were "broadly adequate" for surveillance and policy formulation.