The World Bank Course in Economic Statistics

“I have heard encouraging reports of the first two pilot courses conducted primarily for staff of the Africa region, and can whole-heartedly recommend the course.”
Alan Gelb Chief Economist, Africa Region

The objective of this course is to provide a basic grounding in the economic statistics stored in the World Bank databases, and in particular the statistics stored in the country Live Databases ( LDB ). The course is aimed at economists and other staff working in country management units who are responsible for, or oversee the collection, compiling and presentation of economic data for use in their country and region briefings and statistical tables. The course will also provide information on new statistical accounting systems which will allow World Bank economists at all levels a better understanding of the macro-economic data they use.

Learning Objectives

• Knowledge of the basic principles underlying the economic statistics accounting systems.
• Knowledge of the main macro-economic statistics used to measure the development of an economy.
• Understanding of the accounting relationships between the macroeconomic statistics.
• Knowledge of the definitions for the main economic statistics as stored in the World Bank databases (LDB).
• Knowledge of the national accounts, GDP and its components.
• Knowledge of the new System of National Accounts (SNA93).
• Knowledge of the new Balance of Payments Manual (Rev 5).
• Knowledge of Government Finance Statistics.
• Knowledge of Debt Statistics.
• Through a case-study, learn how a set of economic statistics for an economy can be assembled and presented in a consistent manner.
• Learn the definitions and relations between the economic statistics stored in the World Bank databases (LDB).

For more information, contact Barbro Hexeberg, World Bank Development Data Group

African Development Indicators 2000

World Bank Africa Database 2000 on CD-ROM