Economic planning without current data

PANAMA’S  National System of Statistics  is behind the eight ball, producing out of date  figures for the country to make economic and social decisions.

The reason is given as lack of financial resources and staff  which has compromised efficiency of the to such an extent that the country does not have reliable figures on the country’s main socio-economic indicators, reports La Prensa.

Clear examples are in life expectancy figures, which date from 2013, and numbers on school performance.

Former Director of Statistics Dimas Quiel recommended that changes need to be made to ensure that the government has access to better numbers on which it can base policy decisions.

This can only be done through the granting of sufficient funds and personnel.

Correct numbers are needed for the government to make decisions in a number of areas, including health, education, agricultural, industrial, and environmental.