Namibia's Administrative Data Use: Insights from Statistician-General Alex Shimuafeni

Namibia Experience in the use of Administrative Data By Alex Shimuafeni (Statistician-General)

Outline Introduction Brief background of the NSA Sources of administrative data Main uses of administrative data Weaknesses and gaps in the admin. Process Attempts of filling the gaps Solution to conflicting data Conclusion & recommendations 2

Introduction National Statistics Offices (NSOs)play an important role all over the world as they are tasked with providing relevant, timely and accurate statistics 3

Brief background of the NSA The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) was established by Act of Parliament, Statistics Act No. 9 of 2011 Replaced the Central Bureau of Statistics, Government Department 4

Brief background (Continued) The present statistical system of Namibia is a decentralized one Other role players are mandated by their respective acts to collect data. The NSA responsible for carrying out the Censuses and Household based surveys 5

Institutional management NSA has developed a policy document that provides adequate basis to guide the process of data collection and dissemination. The aims, objectives and strategies of an efficient statistical system are explained in the policy

Institutional management (Continued) Some of the relevant goals in the Policy as set out in the Institutional Management arrangements are: Achieving objectives in a cost-effective and efficient manner address the efficient use of resources in the collection of data Encourage co-operation among data producers

Sources of administrative Main sources - mostly from the line Ministries, Government Agencies, and Non- governmental organisations. Vital registration data from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration Min of Home Affairs has automated its process but not all data For the compilations of National Accounts, various sources are used Big data is also part of Admin Records

Main uses of Administrative data The administrative data are used to compile - national accounts, - trade statistics - comprehensive Statistical year book (Statistical Abstract) - Business Register (but Treasury reluctant to provide data) - Labour Market Info System

Purpose of administrative data Admin data collected for non-statistical purposes. Need for adoption for production of statistics

Weaknesses or gaps in the administrative processes Some of the problems encountered relate to the coverage of the records, the point or period in time to which they refer, and to the definition and classification of variables.

Weaknesses or gaps in the administrative processes Other limitations talks to the training of the compilers. methodology for recording appropriate information may leave a lot to be desired

Attempts for filling these weaknesses or gaps NSA as part of its coordination role has been making positive strides in strengthening the Namibia Statistics System (NSS) to promote efficiency and enhancing data quality. Deliberate efforts to break the silo mentality. Statistics Association will help to close these gaps

Attempts for filling these weaknesses or gaps (Continued) Harmonise definitions and classifications, reduce overlaps, explain and document differences in methods and practices. NSA to take the lead!!

Conflicting data - how have they been dealt with. NSA has developed and implemented many MOU S with many line ministries and Government Agencies. Conflict of data has been addressed by harmonization of concepts and definitions and methodology of data collection.

Conclusions and recommendations No need to re-invent the wheel: WHO signed with Stats SA who was then asked by WHO to sign with NSA. disadvantages over concepts, definitions, coverage & quality discourage the use of administrative data to generate statistics, it is suggested that more work has to be done in order to reduce statistical differences.

Conclusions and recommendations.. Increased use of administrative data will require quality issues to be addressed: the idea of administrative data as a 'cost free' source be revisited Strong cooperation between Statistics Office and Government Agencies dealing with administrative data is key to guarantee quality of data (Leadership in NSS required).

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