The framework of standards for global harmonisation of social statistics (with special reference to transition and globalisation processes)

In a globalised, open, market economy the international standardisation of methodologies and indicators in different fields of social statistics, similar to that achieved in economic statistics on the basis of the SNA, is necessary both for governments and international organisations. Those standards are especially needed by transition countries, which are transforming their national statistical systems. The paper analyses the implications of the transition processes for social statistics and stresses the need for international standards. The specificity of standardisation in the field of social statistics on global level is analysed. On this basis it proposes the systematic approach and the generic standard for standardization on social statistics (SSDIS) and a strategy of their development and implementation on national and international level.