Global data mismatch due to methodological issues, Notes EAC-PM paper

India's poor performance on specific international indicators despite rising per capita income is due to methodological issues, indicated a working paper from the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.

The paper co-authored by Sanjeev Sanyal, member, EAC-PM, noted that to counter the global mismatches, Indian statistical authorities must publish data regularly.

"The domestic statistical apparatus needs to pay greater attention to the appropriateness of global standards and publish their own estimates proactively," pointed out the working paper titled 'Reversing the Gaze: Re-examining Estimates of India's Development Indicators by International Organisations'.


It noted that the growing use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) norms in investment and trade decisions increases the need for accurate data in these areas.

For instance, in the case of life expectancy, they recommended that the registrar general of India (RGI) publish life expectancy estimates every year. The official estimates for 2019 were released in July 2022 by RGI.

"In order to be in time for a calendar year data cycle, this can be done based even on partial data, and can be updated when more detailed data is available as is done in the case of various other indices including GDP."

Delving into the data on stunting, female labour force participation and life expectancy, the working paper pointed out that the agencies tend to overestimate the level of deprivation.

"The blanket application of inappropriate global standards in India does not always present a true picture," according to the authors.

The working paper reiterated the Indian government's concerns of the excess deaths methodology used by WHO to arrive at the 47 million deaths number for Covid-19.