1. Developing the Case for Better Population Data
The view from the World Bank

2. The World Bank’s Mission
Poverty reduction, achieving the MDGs
The Mission
Improving the investment climate
Implementation
Delivering basic services for the poor
The Strategy
The Bank’s mission is to to reduce poverty, we set specific goals through the eight Millennium Development Goals
The strategy to achieve these goals focuses on implementation in two strategic areas: improving the investment climate and deliveruing basic services for the poor
The strategy in turn relies on a process of monitoring, assessment and analysis that is built on both global and national data
Global data
National data
Assessment and analysis
Monitoring
progress

3. Monitoring Progress Monitoring the MDGs Global data National data
Frameworks, norms and standards
Networking, coordination
Transnational data
Consistent international data sets
Data processes
Statistical infrastructure
Monitoring the Millennium Development Goals requires both global and national data.
At the global level, we need both transnational data on aspects of development that are wider than national boundaries. Examples include purchasing power parity data, some environmental data as well as other areas such as governance and the investment climate
We also need consistent international data sets, that are complied from national data. The World bank, along with many other international agencies is active in this field
International data sets and indeed the overall monitoring process are dependent on national data, that is collected, processed and disseminated by governments, through national statistical systems. There are two main components supporting the production of good quality national data. The data collection processes themselves and the supporting statistical infrastructure. The latter includes elements such as institutional arrangements, statistical legislation, human resources and skills, availability of equipment and other elements including management and regsiters and sampling frames.
Both national and global data, however are supported by a third area of activity that might be identified as overall governance and coordination. Here the focus is on the development and use of frameworks, norms and standards and processes to promote networking and coordination.

4. Millennium Development Goals
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality and empower women
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
Ensure environmental sustainability
Develop a global partnership for development

5. Population Data Required for monitoring almost all the goals
Needed at national and international levels
Need for agreed data standards and frameworks
Need for international coordination
International data based on national sources

6. Building the case for Censuses
Need to build demand for better data
Within countries
Internationally
Link to processes such as PRSP, CDF
Build censuses into statistical development strategies and plans
Enlist support from donors and other partners

7. Financing Data Activities
Global and national data are public goods
Financed by governments
Donor support important in some countries
Need to improve both level of funding and efficiency
Capacity building
Technical development
Need for step increase in resources
Both global and national data used to monitor the MDGs are public goods and as such will be financed from central budgets. The role of national governments are crucial and the case for increased funding needs to be made. Donor support is important is some countries, especially the poorest, but it is important to ensure that donor activities are coordinated and in line with national priorities. Transnational data need to be financed by the main users, that is the international community.
Both funding and efficiency need to be improved and the instruments we have to do this include capacity building, technical development in areas such as data collection (eg LSMs, CWIQ) and analysis (poverty mapping)
We believe there is a strong case for a step increase in resources if we are going to be serious about monitoring progress towards the MDGs. Although the number is more of a political statement than derived from a deep analysis of needs, an increase of the order of 0.1% of ODA or about $60 million per year for between 3 to 5 years would make a substantial difference.

8. What can the World Bank do?
Identify priorities for improving data quality
E.g., DQAF, GDDS
Work with other partners to advocate for better data
Advocate for more resources for statistics
Promote donor coordination
PARIS21, UN ACC
Provide resources
TFSCB and other grants
Lending program?