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National Accounts Statistics

Francien Berry

This course, presented by the IMF's Statistics Department, teaches you how to compile timely, high quality national accounts statistics based on the system of national accounts (SNA) framework. The course introduces the sequence of national accounts, the accounting rules, and the key macroeconomic indicators in the SNA framework. You will learn about gross domestic product (GDP) - the main aggregate of the system, and how to compile consistent and internationally comparable measures of GDP according to the production, income, and expenditure approaches. The course also discusses in detail, how the SNA can be used to track an economy's production, consumption, and income and how to estimate volume measures of GDP.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Describe the system of national accounts framework, understand the sequence of accounts and their interrelationships, and identify the key macroeconomic indicators
  • Explain key national accounts concepts, accounting rules, and methods.
  • Define the components of gross domestic product (gdp) from the production approach. apply the concepts, accounting rules, methods, and data sources necessary to estimate gdp from the production approach.
  • Define the components of gdp from the expenditure approach. apply the concepts, accounting rules, methods, and data sources necessary to estimate gdp from the expenditure approach.
  • Define the components of gdp from the income approach. apply the concepts, accounting rules, methods and data sources necessary to estimate gdp from the income approach.
  • Define and explain how to compile volume estimates of gdp from both the production and expenditure perspective.
  • Upon completion of the course, you should be able to:

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to compile national accounts statistics and produce internationally comparable measures of GDP, which is directly relevant to roles in statistics and economics
Appropriate for students, professionals, policy makers, and researchers in economics, finance, and public policy, who seek to understand and apply national accounts and GDP concepts

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in National Accounts Statistics with these activities:
Organize your course materials for effective review
Organize your course materials, including notes, assignments, and quizzes, to make reviewing for assessments easier and more efficient.
Show steps
  • Review your course syllabus and identify the key topics covered
  • Organize your notes according to these key topics
  • Create a central repository for all course materials
Review the IMF's 'A Guide to the System of National Accounts 2008'
Review the IMF's 'A Guide to the System of National Accounts 2008' to gain a comprehensive understanding of the SNA framework and its application.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book
  • Read and take notes on the key concepts and methods outlined in the book
Form a study group with classmates
Form a study group with classmates to discuss course concepts, share insights, and support each other's learning.
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  • Reach out to classmates and express your interest in forming a study group
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, work through assignments, and prepare for assessments
Five other activities
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Explore the IMF's website for additional resources
Explore the IMF's website for additional resources to supplement your learning and gain a deeper understanding of the System of National Accounts framework.
Browse courses on Gross Domestic Product
Show steps
  • Visit the IMF's website
  • Browse the resources available in the Statistics Department section
  • Select relevant articles, videos, and data to enhance your understanding of the SNA framework
Assist a fellow classmate with understanding course concepts
Provide assistance to a fellow classmate who may be struggling with course concepts to enhance your understanding and reinforce your own knowledge.
Show steps
  • Identify a classmate who could benefit from your help
  • Offer your assistance and set up a time to meet
  • Review course material together, provide explanations, and answer questions
Calculate GDP using the Production Approach
Practice calculating GDP using the Production Approach to reinforce your understanding of the concepts and methods involved.
Browse courses on Gross Domestic Product
Show steps
  • Gather data on the value added by each industry in the economy
  • Calculate the total value added for all industries
  • Add any indirect taxes or subsidies
  • Subtract any depreciation
Create a visualization of GDP trends over time
Create a visualization of GDP trends over time to develop a visual understanding of economic growth and fluctuations.
Browse courses on Gross Domestic Product
Show steps
  • Gather GDP data over a period of time
  • Choose an appropriate visualization tool and format
  • Create the visualization, ensuring it is clear, informative, and visually appealing
Write a blog post on the importance of national accounts data
Create a blog post on the importance of national accounts data to demonstrate your understanding of its role in economic decision-making and policy analysis.
Browse courses on Data Analysis
Show steps
  • Research the uses of national accounts data
  • Identify specific examples of how national accounts data has been used to inform policies
  • Write a blog post outlining your findings and explaining the significance of national accounts data

Career center

Learners who complete National Accounts Statistics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyze, interpret, and present numerical data. They use their knowledge of statistical methods to draw conclusions about the world around them. A course in National Accounts Statistics can enhance the skills of Statisticians by providing a deep understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This course can help Statisticians become more effective in their role of providing insights from data.
Economic Researcher
Economic Researchers conduct research on economic issues to inform policy and decision-making. They use their knowledge of economics, statistics, and research methods to gather and analyze data, and to draw conclusions about economic trends. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Economic Researchers with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Economic Researchers to become more effective in their role of conducting research on economic issues.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use their knowledge of statistics and programming to identify trends, patterns, and insights in data. A course in National Accounts Statistics can enhance the skills of Data Analysts by providing a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Data Analysts to become more effective in their role of extracting insights from data.
Economist
Economists analyze economic data and trends to inform decision-making. They use their knowledge of economic theory and modeling techniques to forecast economic growth, inflation, and other key indicators. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Economists with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of economic measurement and analysis, helping them to better understand and interpret economic data to draw more accurate conclusions.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts are responsible for tracking, managing, and predicting financial trends and advising investment decisions. This course can help build a foundation for a career as a Financial Analyst by providing a comprehensive understanding of national accounts statistics, including methods for compiling timely and accurate data and accounting rules for key macroeconomic indicators, such as GDP and consumption. This understanding is essential for effective financial analysis and forecasting.
Investment Analyst
Investment Analysts research and analyze investment opportunities to make recommendations to clients. They use their knowledge of economics, finance, and accounting to evaluate the risk and return of different investments. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Investment Analysts with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Investment Analysts to become more effective in their role of researching and analyzing investment opportunities.
Budget Analyst
Budget Analysts plan and manage the financial resources of governments and businesses. They use their knowledge of economics, finance, and accounting to develop and implement budgets, and to track and control spending. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Budget Analysts with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Budget Analysts to become more effective in their role of planning and managing financial resources.
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analysts study market trends, consumer behavior, and industry data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use their knowledge of research methods and statistics to gather and analyze data, and to draw conclusions about market trends. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Market Research Analysts with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Market Research Analysts to become more effective in their role of gathering and interpreting market data.
Actuary
Actuaries use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and economics to assess risk and uncertainty. They use their skills to develop and price insurance policies, and to manage risk for businesses and individuals. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Actuaries with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Actuaries to become more effective in their role of assessing risk and uncertainty.
Risk Manager
Risk Managers assess and manage risk for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of economics, finance, and risk management to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Risk Managers with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Risk Managers to become more effective in their role of assessing and managing risk.
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses and organizations on a variety of topics, including economics, finance, and management. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Consultants with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Consultants to become more effective in their role of providing advice and guidance to businesses and organizations.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers manage investment portfolios for individuals and institutions. They use their knowledge of economics, finance, and investments to make investment decisions and to track and manage portfolio performance.A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Portfolio Managers with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Portfolio Managers to become more effective in their role of managing investment portfolios.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use their knowledge of business processes and data analysis to help businesses improve their operations and make informed decisions. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Business Analysts with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Business Analysts to become more effective in their role of analyzing business data and making recommendations for improvement.
Financial Planner
Financial Planners help individuals and families plan and manage their finances. They use their knowledge of economics, finance, and investments to develop and implement financial plans, and to track and manage investments. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Financial Planners with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Financial Planners to become more effective in their role of planning and managing finances.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues to help governments make informed decisions. They use their knowledge of economics, statistics, and public policy to evaluate the impact of different policies and to make recommendations for improvement. A course in National Accounts Statistics can provide Policy Analysts with a deeper understanding of economic data, its collection, and its use in economic analysis. This understanding can help Policy Analysts to become more effective in their role of researching and analyzing public policy issues.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in National Accounts Statistics.
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This useful reference guide specifically for this course, published by the same organization that offers this course. This is not a generalist text on national accounts.
This practical guide is particularly useful for a course focused on national accounts statistics. It may be especially relevant to students in developing countries.
This reference guide provides a how-to guide of national accounting in developing countries. This good supplement to the existing course.
This reference guide helpful for understanding key concepts and data sources in macroeconomic statistics. It provides a broad grounding in statistics relevant to this course.
This textbook commonly used in undergraduate economics programs provides background knowledge in macroeconomics.
This generalist textbook provides broad grounding in the economics of growth and development. Knowledge of the content of this textbook would be helpful for this course, particularly for students with underdeveloped economics backgrounds.
As a classic text on the measurement of national income and wealth, this book provides a theoretical and historical grounding in national accounting. This would be suitable as supplementary reading, particularly for students with economics and finance backgrounds.
Provides a detailed exposition of financial statistics, which is valuable background for national accounting. Specifically, this book is helpful for understanding macroeconomic indicators relevant to national accounts.
Provides grounding in the fundamentals of statistics, which is valuable prerequisite knowledge for this course.
This reference book offers a thorough explanation of economic sociology and its relationship to national accounts.
A generalist text on the global financial system, this book may provide helpful insight into national accounts statistics for students with no prior economics background.

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