The Working Group on Composite Indices

Composite indices have evolved into a practical instrument for the meaningful, transparent and understandable aggregation of information. They are applied to a large variety of purposes, including the monitoring of progress towards specified targets, the assessment of economic, social and environmental processes, and the follow-up of the implementation of conference agreements.

Indices have been developed on many levels of complexity, from a simple energy efficiency ratio to a highly condensed index measuring development. This flexibility combined with additional desirable properties led to their proliferation as information tools, particularly in decision-making. However, the surge in the publication of new composite indices, especially in complex interdisciplinary fields such as sustainable development, has drawn substantial criticism from the various user groups as well as the scientific community: The quality and usefulness of a composite index depends to a large extent on i) the degree to which it can measure the designated target or concept of interest, ii) the statistical methodology used in its construction, and iii) the quality of the data and information it is based on, and while composite indices are specifically designed to capture a particular issue of interest, they often fall short of expectations due to weaknesses in one or all of the above criteria.

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) participates in the ongoing debate on the benefits and shortcomings of composite indices and emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary discourse in order to strengthen the quality of composite indices in particular through the development of appropriate statistical methodologies. UNSD has therefore established the Working Group on Composite Indices (WGCI) with the objective to provide an interdisciplinary forum for those involved in the development of composite indices within the division as well as outside in other institutions and United Nations departments and agencies.

More specifically, the Working Group offers a platform for the presentation and discussion of statistical concepts and methodological standards used to develop composite indices. Since a rising number of composite indices are based on interdisciplinary concepts and methods, UNSD considers it important to bring together experts from various backgrounds to allow for the best possible use of information in the development process.

This Internet site provides regular updates on the activities of the Working Group as well as background material on previous and upcoming seminars.

For further information please contact:
UN Statistics Division
Environment Statistics Section
DC2-1410, TWO United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017, USA
E-mail: contact WGCI
Tel: +1-212-963-8564