Institution

Eurostat

Year

2005

Level

Advanced

Abstract

This paper deals with benchmarking techniques. Official statistics have shortcomings such as lack of stability over time and thus insufficient length, definition at lower frequencies than those traditionally needed for business cycle analysis, lack of timeliness etc. that could be in part remedied with the use of analytical tools. It is an increasing belief that benchmarking techniques can play an important role in the short-medium term in gathering momentum for our statistics, and in filling the existing gaps and shortcomings. However, the use of such techniques should be viewed as a temporary solution, while waiting for more structural improvements to take effect, i.e. in the data collection and elaboration processes at the national level.