A draft system of statistics of the distribution of income, consumption and accumulation

Abstract

This paper presents a final draft of the international guidelines in respect of a -system of statistics on the distribution of income, consumption and accumulation of households that was proposed in document E/CN.3/400. The revisions and extensions of document E/CN.3/4oo that are made in this paper are based on the comments gathered on document E/CN.3/400 and the research carried on into national practices in respect of income distribution and related statistics. The paper is Discussed first are purposes for which, and the character of, the statistics that are required nationally and internationally. Next, sections follow on the objectives and nature of the draft international guidelines, on the scope and broad priorities of the complementary system, and on its structure and relationship to the national accounts and balances. Dealt with after that are the definitions and classifications of the statistical units to be used in the system and of the items of data in respect of income, consumption and accumulation. The last sections of the paper concern the proposed standard tables of the system and the order of priority in which the tables might be prepared.