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Iran

Special Data Dissemination Standard

Summary
Iran does not subscribe to either the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) nor its General Data Dissemination System (GDDS). In 2004, however, the IMF's Article IV Consultation with Iran noted that Iran's authorities had declared a commitment to achieving SDDS compliance, with the ultimate aim of subscribing to the SDDS. The IMF's 2006 Article IV Consultation (published in 2007) deemed Iran's statistical data to be adequate for surveillance purposes, but noted continued inadequacies in the both timeliness and availability of data outside the context of an actual IMF mission. Consistency of fiscal data has shown some improvement, but work remains to be done. Dissemination standards are, as yet, not up to par for SDDS subscription.

    General Overview

    As of August 2007, Iran does not yet subscribe to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) nor to its General Data Dissemination System (GDDS). In 2004, however, the IMF's Article IV Consultation with Iran noted that Iran's authorities had declared a commitment to achieving SDDS compliance, with the ultimate aim of subscribing to the SDDS. The 2006 Article IV Consultation (published in 2007) notes that Iran has made steady progress toward this end, but recognizes that more must be done. Improvements in the consistency of fiscal accounts has been achieved, but coverage remains inadequate. Timeliness and availability also require further improvement. Data dissemination practices are, on the whole, insufficient to qualify Iran for SDDS subscription.
    On a sector-by-sector basis, the IMF's 2007 report judged Iran's real-sector statistical data to be reasonably sound and sufficient to permit surveillance, at least in the national accounts and pricing datasets. Reporting on labor statistics comports with International Labor Organization definitions, but weaknesses were noted in labor market and wage data. Iran follows the standards set forth in the Government Finance Statistics Manual (2001) when compiling its government sector data, but the report urges that coverage be expanded to include the transactions of the Social Security Office, pension funds, procurement centers, and the Oil Stabilization Fund. Certain data included in the government's finance statistics need to be disaggregated, and discrepancies in the reporting of fiscal and monetary data must be resolved. Iran does not as yet follow internationally established standards in compiling its monetary data. External sector data comports with the standards set forth in the IMF's Balance of Payments Manual, 5th edition. Public dissemination of the data, however, remains to be achieved.


    The Principles

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

    Iran does not subscribe to the SDDS nor to the GDDS. The IMF's 2007 report notes that, although Iran has made some progress in improving its data compilation and dissemination, it does not yet meet SDDS timeliness standards. In 2004, however, the IMF's Article IV Consultation noted that Iran's authorities had declared a commitment to achieving SDDS compliance, with the ultimate aim of subscribing to the SDDS.

    Ready and equal access to official statistics.

    Iran does not subscribe to the SDDS, nor to the GDDS. The IMF"s 2007 report applauds Iran's continued progress toward SDDS subscription, but states that data dissemination and consistency must be improved before subscription will be possible. In 2004, however, the IMF's Article IV Consultation with Iran noted that Iran's authorities had declared a commitment to achieving SDDS compliance, with the ultimate aim of subscribing to the SDDS.

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

    Iran does not subscribe to the SDDS nor to the GDDS. The 2007 IMF report states that Iran has taken steps to improve transparency in its data compilation and analytical procedures, but finds that much work remains to be done. Dissemination of both statistical data and methodological information needs to be improved. In 2004, however, the IMF's Article IV Consultation noted that Iran's authorities had declared a commitment to achieving SDDS compliance, with the ultimate aim of subscribing to the SDDS.

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

    Iran does not subscribe to the SDDS nor to the GDDS. According to the 2007 IMF report, Iran compiles high-quality national accounts and price statistics and compiles its government data according to the standards of the Government Finance Statistics Manual (2001). Compilation methods and standards for monetary data does not comply with internationally accepted standards, but the authorities are attempting to address this deficiency. Balance of payment data is compiled in accordance with the IMF's Balance of Payments Manual (5th edition). In 2004, however, the IMF's Article IV Consultation with Iran noted that Iran's authorities had declared a commitment to achieving SDDS compliance, with the ultimate aim of subscribing to the SDDS.

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    Sources of Assessment

    International Monetary Fund, "Islamic Republic of Iran: 2004 Article IV Consultation--Staff Report; Staff Supplement; Staff Statement, and Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion," Country Report No. 04/306, Washington, D.C.: IMF, September 2004. Available from International Monetary Fund website. Accessed on August 11, 2007. (IMF 2004)

    International Monetary Fund, "Islamic Republic of Iran: 2006 Article IV Consultation -- Staff Report, Staff Statement, Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion, and Statement by the Executive Director for the Islamic Republic of Iran," Country Report No. 07/100, Washington, D.C.: IMF, March 2007. Available from International Monetary Fund website. Accessed on August 11, 2007. (IMF 2007)

    International Monetary Fund Special Data Dissemination Standard website. Accessed on August 11, 2007. (IMF SDDS website)

    Relevant Organizations

    Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran

    Information Dissemination Center

    Statistical Center of Iran



    Relevant Legislation/Regulation



    Supplementary Sources

    International Monetary Fund, "Islamic Republic of Iran: 2002 Article IV Consultation--Staff Report; Staff Statement; Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Islamic Republic of Iran," Country Report No. 02/211, Washington, D.C.: IMF, September, 2002. Available from International Monetary Fund website. Accessed on August 11, 20007. (IMF 2002)

    International Monetary Fund, "Islamic Republic of Iran: 2003 Article IV Consultation--Staff Report; Staff Statement; Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Islamic Republic of Iran," Country Report No. 03/279, Washington, D.C.: IMF, September 2003. Available from International Monetary Fund website. Accessed on August 11, 2007. (IMF 2003)
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