Background: Started in 2010, the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS) provides regional strategic leadership by maximising and coordinating resources for statistics governance. Its particular focus is on improving the scope and quality of national statistics.
In 2016, Sustineo produced an independent assessment of current access to and use of statistics in the Pacific. The purpose of this evaluation was to reflect on lessons learned in Phase II of the TYPSS and to inform future implementation of the TYPSS.
Approach: Sustineo integrated questions relevant to the stated TYPSS objectives with a focus on the internal function of the TYPSS to design an analytical framework for this evaluation. In a departure from the methods employed by past studies on statistics the Pacific, this evaluation focused on international data users, technical assistance providers and development practitioners.
Sustineo’s evaluation drew on a range of different methods including detailed case studies based on fieldwork on Fiji, Tonga and Kirbati’s National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDSs); interviews with a broad range of statistics stakeholders; and an online survey with a wider section of Pacific statistics stakeholders. Throughout the evaluation process, Sustineo worked closely with relevant stakeholders.
Outcome: This evaluation defined a draft set of key social, economic and environmental indicators, referred to as the ‘Core Set of Pacific Statistics’ (CSPS). Our team identified gaps between the CSPS, data currently produced and accessible, and the National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDSs). Through an extensive review of policy documents, our consultants conducted a stocktake of publicly available statistical data in the Pacific. This evaluation revealed changes with statistics detailed in the 2009 Benchmark Study to show the evolution of statistics governance in the Pacific.
The assessment made an important contribution in highlighting key issues for statistics in the Pacific that have emerged in the context of changing regional circumstances. DFAT and other stakeholders engaged noted that it provided information and generated important discussion to support the future direction of the Pacific Statistics Regional Program.