Central Statistical Central Statistical Organization (cso) Organization (cso)

AfghanistanAfghanistan

Abdul Rahman GhafooriPresident – General

Presentation for the Second High Level Expert Group Meeting, Tajikistan, 24 to 25

September, 2009

Structure of PresentationStructure of PresentationAfghanistan – General InformationAfghanistan – General Information

Effects of Conflict Effects of Conflict

Effect of Conflict in AfghanistanEffect of Conflict in Afghanistan

Statistical System of AfghanistanStatistical System of Afghanistan

Mandate of CSOMandate of CSO

Main Functions of CSOMain Functions of CSO

Structure of CSOStructure of CSO

Network of CSONetwork of CSO

Main Activities of CSOMain Activities of CSO

Strategic Statistical PlanStrategic Statistical Plan

Future PlansFuture Plans

Future challengesFuture challenges

Population Density 2009Population Density 2009

Afghanistan - General InformationAfghanistan - General Information

Population : 25.5 millionPopulation : 25.5 million

Area : 652864 KmArea : 652864 Km2 2

No. of Provinces : 34No. of Provinces : 34

No. of Districts : 398No. of Districts : 398

No. of Villages : 42,000No. of Villages : 42,000

Rural Population : 79%Rural Population : 79%

Sex Ratio : 105Sex Ratio : 105

GDP Growth Rate : 2.3%GDP Growth Rate : 2.3%

Population Growth Rate : 2.03%Population Growth Rate : 2.03%

Effects of ConflictEffects of Conflict

• The Conflict in any country brings short-term and The Conflict in any country brings short-term and emergency focus into people and the casualty is the long-emergency focus into people and the casualty is the long-term planning and evidenced-based decision-making. The term planning and evidenced-based decision-making. The decision-making becomes personality-based and reactive. decision-making becomes personality-based and reactive.

• The importance of collecting statistics and using it for The importance of collecting statistics and using it for development planning and decision-making gets lost.development planning and decision-making gets lost.

• Since Statistics is relegated to the tail-end priority, the Since Statistics is relegated to the tail-end priority, the funds needed to maintain the statistical system dry up, the funds needed to maintain the statistical system dry up, the capacities built over decades get eroded, and culture of capacities built over decades get eroded, and culture of war develops. war develops.

• The Central Statistical Organizations have to take a The Central Statistical Organizations have to take a different approach to tackle the situation. different approach to tackle the situation.

Effect of Conflict in AfghanistanEffect of Conflict in Afghanistan

• Afghanistan faced war and conflict for more Afghanistan faced war and conflict for more than two decades.than two decades.

• This had destroyed many institutions / systems This had destroyed many institutions / systems in the country including the Statistical System.in the country including the Statistical System.

• The Statistical System had to be rebuilt almost The Statistical System had to be rebuilt almost from the scratch.from the scratch.

• Capacity, culture, infrastructure, inadequate Capacity, culture, infrastructure, inadequate systems and financing statistical operations are systems and financing statistical operations are major challenges before establishing an effective major challenges before establishing an effective and vibrant Statistical System.and vibrant Statistical System.

Statistical System in Afghanistan Statistical System in Afghanistan (Contd.)(Contd.)

• Despite problems Afghanistan has achieved Despite problems Afghanistan has achieved many milestones in the development of an many milestones in the development of an effective Statistical System.effective Statistical System.

• A Statistical Law was enacted in 2006.A Statistical Law was enacted in 2006.• The Central Statistics Organization has been The Central Statistics Organization has been

given the status of an independent organization, given the status of an independent organization, which directly reports to the President.which directly reports to the President.

• President-General of CSO has been given the President-General of CSO has been given the status of almost a Minister to signify importance status of almost a Minister to signify importance of Statistics.of Statistics.

Mandate of CSO Mandate of CSO

The Statistical Law (July 2006) of the The Statistical Law (July 2006) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has given Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has given the following mandate to CSO:the following mandate to CSO:

““Article 2 : The Central Statistics Article 2 : The Central Statistics Organization shall function, as an Organization shall function, as an independent governmental administration, independent governmental administration, for the purpose of creating an integrated for the purpose of creating an integrated scientific system for statistics, ensuring scientific system for statistics, ensuring harmonization and coordination of all harmonization and coordination of all statistical activities in the country.statistical activities in the country.

Mandate of CSO (Contd.) Mandate of CSO (Contd.) Duties and authorities of CSO Duties and authorities of CSO Article 8: The CSO shall have the following duties and authorities:Article 8: The CSO shall have the following duties and authorities:

To collect, compile, analyze and publish statistical information relating to To collect, compile, analyze and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and general activities and condition of the people;general activities and condition of the people;To collaborate with Ministries and administrations of the State in the To collaborate with Ministries and administrations of the State in the collection, compilation and publication of statistical information, including collection, compilation and publication of statistical information, including statistics derived from the activities thereof;statistics derived from the activities thereof;To carry out Population censuses and statistical surveys;To carry out Population censuses and statistical surveys;To prevent duplication in the information collected by Ministries and To prevent duplication in the information collected by Ministries and governmental administrations or by agencies other than the State;governmental administrations or by agencies other than the State;Generally, to promote and develop integrated social and economic Generally, to promote and develop integrated social and economic statistics through out the country, and to coordinate unified plans for the statistics through out the country, and to coordinate unified plans for the integration thereof.integration thereof.To develop and prescribe appropriate classifications and standards for use To develop and prescribe appropriate classifications and standards for use by ministry (ministries) and other administrations of the State;by ministry (ministries) and other administrations of the State;To progressively develop and maintain appropriate databases containing To progressively develop and maintain appropriate databases containing statistical information, and to facilitate access to the database to all users, statistical information, and to facilitate access to the database to all users, except for confidential information as provided for in this law;except for confidential information as provided for in this law;Decide on the manner in which data for statistical purposes are collected, Decide on the manner in which data for statistical purposes are collected, how they are compiled and when and how statistics are published.”how they are compiled and when and how statistics are published.”

Main Functions of CSO Main Functions of CSO The functions of CSO can be divided into the The functions of CSO can be divided into the following groups:following groups:

– Development of Administrative Statistical System in Development of Administrative Statistical System in the country covering all ministries, government the country covering all ministries, government organizations and provinces. organizations and provinces.

– Collection of data through various census and Collection of data through various census and surveys to support planning and decision making in surveys to support planning and decision making in the country. the country.

– Organization of data, analysis and Interpretation of Organization of data, analysis and Interpretation of data to support the decision-makers and planners.data to support the decision-makers and planners.

– Standardization of concepts and definitions, and Standardization of concepts and definitions, and classifications.classifications.

– Meeting data obligations towards various international Meeting data obligations towards various international agencies and organizations. agencies and organizations.

Structure of CSO Structure of CSO CSO has the following main Departments:CSO has the following main Departments:

• Department of National Accounts and Price Department of National Accounts and Price StatisticsStatistics

• Department of Economic StatisticsDepartment of Economic Statistics• Department of Demography and Social Department of Demography and Social

StatisticsStatistics• Department of Field Operation (including an Department of Field Operation (including an

advanced Database and Geographic advanced Database and Geographic Information System, GIS, Unit)Information System, GIS, Unit)

• Department of Planning and Aid-coordination Department of Planning and Aid-coordination • Department of Finance and AdministrationDepartment of Finance and Administration• Department of Internal audit Department of Internal audit

Network of CSO Network of CSO

CSO has offices in all 34 provinces of the CSO has offices in all 34 provinces of the country.country.It is planning to have offices in all districts It is planning to have offices in all districts of the country, as well of the country, as well The staff strength of CSO is about 850 The staff strength of CSO is about 850 people, out of which, 250 are in the people, out of which, 250 are in the provinces.provinces.A large manpower of CSO is trained in A large manpower of CSO is trained in statistical work (data collection, statistical work (data collection, organization, management). Some people organization, management). Some people are even trained abroad in long-term are even trained abroad in long-term courses.courses.

Main Activities of CSO Main Activities of CSO Preparation of the National Accounts of Afghanistan and Preparation of the National Accounts of Afghanistan and informing the nation about the Gross Domestic Product informing the nation about the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economic growth.(GDP) and economic growth.Generation of Consumer Price indices and collection of Generation of Consumer Price indices and collection of other macro-economic data like revenue, foreign other macro-economic data like revenue, foreign exchange rates, investment, banking data, etc. from exchange rates, investment, banking data, etc. from concerned stakeholders.concerned stakeholders.Collection of administrative statistics from different Collection of administrative statistics from different ministries/agencies/provinces and publication of an ministries/agencies/provinces and publication of an annual Statistical Yearbook. The major components of annual Statistical Yearbook. The major components of information covered in the Yearbook are - information covered in the Yearbook are - Area and Area and Administrative Divisions of Afghanistan, Population Estimates, Education Administrative Divisions of Afghanistan, Population Estimates, Education (including culture and media), Health, Environment, National Accounts, (including culture and media), Health, Environment, National Accounts, Agriculture, Industry, Inflation and Foreign Exchange, External Trade, Fiscal Agriculture, Industry, Inflation and Foreign Exchange, External Trade, Fiscal Statistics, Donor Assistance, etc.Statistics, Donor Assistance, etc.

Publication of Trade Statistics and Population Estimates Publication of Trade Statistics and Population Estimates in the country.in the country.

Main Activities of CSO(Contd.) Main Activities of CSO(Contd.) National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) Survey National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) Survey

CSO conducts the NRVA survey in collaboration with CSO conducts the NRVA survey in collaboration with MRRD, which is the only source of Poverty Statistics in MRRD, which is the only source of Poverty Statistics in the country.the country.NRVA informs the nation on the progress of all Millennium NRVA informs the nation on the progress of all Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are also part of ANDS Development Goals (MDGs), which are also part of ANDS indicators.indicators.NRVA has wealth of detailed information on many NRVA has wealth of detailed information on many sectors. sectors. NRVA 2007 provides information about 25 out of 49 MDG NRVA 2007 provides information about 25 out of 49 MDG indicators. The major ones are –indicators. The major ones are –

– Proportion of population below the poverty line – 42%Proportion of population below the poverty line – 42%– Net enrolment rates -Net enrolment rates -– Literacy rates - Literacy rates - – Infant Mortality Rate -Infant Mortality Rate -– Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel -Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel -– Unemployment rate of young people -Unemployment rate of young people -

Main Activities of CSO (Contd.) Main Activities of CSO (Contd.) Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)

CSO conducts the MICS survey in collaboration CSO conducts the MICS survey in collaboration with UNICEFwith UNICEFMICS also informs the nation on the progress of MICS also informs the nation on the progress of many Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).many Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).MICS collects information on the following MICS collects information on the following sectorssectors– ChildrenChildren– Health and Nutrition of WomenHealth and Nutrition of Women– EducationEducation– EnvironmentEnvironment– Water and Sanitation FacilitiesWater and Sanitation Facilities

Main Activities of CSO (Contd.) Main Activities of CSO (Contd.) Population and Housing Census Population and Housing Census

CSO is responsible to conduct the Population CSO is responsible to conduct the Population and Housing Census in collaboration with and Housing Census in collaboration with UNFPA. UNFPA.

CSO has started the House Listing all over the CSO has started the House Listing all over the country from August 2009. The pilot and main country from August 2009. The pilot and main census are likely to be conducted in 2010.census are likely to be conducted in 2010.

Census is one of the most comprehensive Census is one of the most comprehensive exercises taken up by the country and CSOexercises taken up by the country and CSO

It will provide wealth of information for planning It will provide wealth of information for planning and decision making in the country.and decision making in the country.

It will be carried out by the help of General It will be carried out by the help of General Ministries of Organizations.Ministries of Organizations.

Main Activities of CSO (Contd.) Main Activities of CSO (Contd.)

Integrated Business Establishment Survey Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES) (IBES)

CSO has conducted the IBES at present all over CSO has conducted the IBES at present all over the country.the country.

It will provide useful information for national It will provide useful information for national accounts and economic planning in the country. accounts and economic planning in the country.

Survey on women in decision making level Survey on women in decision making level

Other Surveys:Other Surveys:• CSO is involved in many other surveys CSO is involved in many other surveys

conducted by different ministries and agencies.conducted by different ministries and agencies.

Strategic Statistical PlanStrategic Statistical Plan

CSO is in the process of preparing a National CSO is in the process of preparing a National Statistics Strategy and a National Statistics Statistics Strategy and a National Statistics Support Programme.Support Programme.

Consultations are already going-on with Consultations are already going-on with major stakeholders and donors.major stakeholders and donors.

CSO is also preparing itself to avail support CSO is also preparing itself to avail support under the Statistics for Results Facility.under the Statistics for Results Facility.

A 7-Year Plan for CSO has been prepared A 7-Year Plan for CSO has been prepared and is in the process of further fine-tuning.and is in the process of further fine-tuning.

Future Plans Future Plans CSO plans to conduct following surveys in the next 7 yearsCSO plans to conduct following surveys in the next 7 years

Survey on Participation of Women and Men in Decision Survey on Participation of Women and Men in Decision MakingMakingMultiple Indicator Cluster SurveyMultiple Indicator Cluster SurveyLabour Force SurveyLabour Force SurveyHousehold Income and Expenditure SurveyHousehold Income and Expenditure SurveyNational Demographic SurveyNational Demographic SurveyNational Health SurveyNational Health SurveyNational Risk and Vulnerability SurveyNational Risk and Vulnerability SurveyCensus of AgricultureCensus of AgricultureIntegrated Business Establishment SurveyIntegrated Business Establishment SurveyCensus of EstablishmentsCensus of EstablishmentsSmall-scale survey on AgricultureSmall-scale survey on AgricultureExpanded Consumer Price SurveyExpanded Consumer Price Survey

Major Challenges for FutureMajor Challenges for Future Strengthening of Administrative Statistical System in the Strengthening of Administrative Statistical System in the country for improving evidence-based planning and country for improving evidence-based planning and decision making.decision making.

Strengthening of provincial statistical infrastructure and Strengthening of provincial statistical infrastructure and capacity.capacity.

Aligning the CSO activities with the National Development Aligning the CSO activities with the National Development Plan of Afghanistan – Afghanistan National Development Plan of Afghanistan – Afghanistan National Development Strategy.Strategy.

Conducting Population & Housing Census and many other Conducting Population & Housing Census and many other surveys including support to ministries/agencies in carrying surveys including support to ministries/agencies in carrying of various surveys.of various surveys.

Statistical Capacity building for CSO Staff and that of Statistical Capacity building for CSO Staff and that of ministries / agencies.ministries / agencies.