The Manual contains detailed, comprehensive information and explanations for compiling a PPI. It provides an overview of the conceptual and theoretical issues that statistical offices should consider when making decisions on how to deal with the various problems in the daily compilation of a PPI, and it is intended for use by both developed and developing countries. The chapters cover many topics; they elaborate on the different practices currently in use, propose alternatives whenever possible, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. Given the comprehensive nature of the Manual, we expect it to satisfy the needs of many users.

The main purpose of the Manual is to assist producers of the PPI, particularly countries that are revising or setting up their PPI. The Manual draws on a wide range of experience and expertise in an attempt to describe practical and suitable measurement methods. It should also help countries to produce their PPIs in a comparable way, so that statistical offices and international organizations can make meaningful international comparisons. Because it brings together a large body of knowledge on the subject, the Manual may be used for self-learning or as a teaching tool for training courses on the PPI.

Other PPI users, such as businesses, policymakers, and researchers, make up another targeted audience of the Manual. The Manual will inform them not only about the different methods that are employed in collecting data and compiling such indices, but also about the limitations, so that the results may be interpreted correctly.