1. Information item: Two Expert Groups on households’ economic resources Working Party on National Accounts 2 December 2010 Maryse FESSEAU (OECD)

2. Background The « Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi » report – October 2009 Report to the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors (Recommendation 16 – 2009) OECD Statistics committee (CSTAT) (June 2010) –Activity 7.2.b « integrated framework on income, expenditures and wealth » –Activity 7.2.c « Integrating inequalities in the SNA » Eurostat–Insee sponsorship (July 2010)

3. Letter from OECD Chief Statistician to CSTAT Delegates (November 08, 2010) Proposes the establishment of two expert groups  EG « on micro statistics on household income, consumption and wealth »  EG « to measure disparities in a national accounts framework » Both EGs:  Will contribute to OECD research on households’ economic resources, living conditions and sustainability  Will operate until end-2012

4. Expert Group « on micro statistics » GOALS:  Define standards for the measurement and collection of micro-statistics on household wealth  Propose a framework for integrating micro data on income, consumption and wealth (conceptual framework and practical challenges) OUTCOMES:  Reports with conceptual proposals and practical guidance to improve future household surveys MEMBERS:  Experts of household micro data

5. Expert Group « disparities in NA » GOALS:  Use micro data to break down the household NA (income, consumption and wealth) by group OUTCOMES:  Report describing existing macro data on household across OECD countries and comparing micro and macro aggregates  Report presenting a breakdown of SNA household aggregates for a number of countries in a recent year, based on a common methodology (Short term – using current micro and macro data) MEMBERS:  Mix of experts on household micro and macro data  OECD and Eurostat will support and participate in the EG

6. Expert Group « disparities in NA » STEPS and TIMELINES: – Step 1 (January 2011 – Summer 2011): Take stock of available information on household statistics (availability, methods of compilation) Comparisons of micro and macro sources Proposals for medium/long term improvements in the compilation of NA data through a better use of surveys data (and vice versa) – Questionnaire on macro data: availability, compilation, figures – Detailed calculations for each country by members of the EG – Step 2 (September 2011 – Summer 2012): Breakdown of the household National Accounts data by socio-economic group Proposals for computing disparities indicators consistent with NA aggregates – Identifying and defining the scope and coverage of indicators – Test the feasibility of producing the identified set of indicators – Agree and implement an internationally applicable methodology – Consider whether it would be feasible to assess disparities on a regular basis

7. Expert Group « disparities in NA » A methodological and practical Expert Group to consider micro and macro data Implications: -For country members: -Micro and Macro experts in the EG or at least inside NSO -Access to detailed micro and macro data on households to make calculations and tests -For OECD and Eurostat: coordination and calculation -Link with the Expert Group on micro statistics Issue (beyond technical challenges): reach agreement across micro and macro experts on the quality and future improvements for each source

8. Two Expert Groups on households Reminder: names and coordinates of participating experts should be provided by 17 December 2010 Information meeting on the EG to measure disparities in a NA framework: 3 December, 2 to 4 pm. Room MB1122