Statistics department explains mistakes in January CPI calculation

Statistics department explains mistakes in January CPI calculation

The General Statistics Office of Vietnam admitted and explained mistakes in the calculation of Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in January.

The General Statistics Office of Vietnam admitted and explained mistakes in the calculation of Vietnam's CPI in January

On the morning of January 24, the office announced that the CPI grew 0.69% in January against December 2013 and rose 6.77% against January 2013.

However, on the afternoon of the same day, the figures were edited, with an increase of 5.54% compared to January 2013, instead of 6.77%.

A representative from the office explained on the Vietnamese government website that a staff member who was in charge of the calculation compared CPI calculations for January 2013 with December 2012, instead of January 2013, causing the mistake.

Earlier, several local experts raised concerns over the great disparity in announced statistics. Former deputy PM, Vu Khoan, said, “Honestly, I do not believe our own statistics. No one can know for sure the exact figure of bad debt. How can analysis take place if we do not have reliable figures?”

However, Deputy Head of the General Statistics Office, Nguyen Bich Lam, admitted the statistical disparity. He said that the disparity is not as serious as some experts claim.

Lam explained that the disparity is attributed to different information sources. Over recent years, Vietnam has seen a sharp rise in the number enterprises. Many companies have their business registration license in one locality, but in reality they operate in many different locations.

He added that many enterprises are not active in providing information in a effective ways, as required by statistical agencies. Additionally, there is still some disagreement about the application of statistical methods between the General Statistics Office and ministries and agencies in terms of the poverty rate, skilled labour rates and the number of enterprises.

Lam emphasised that the disparity in statistics is a problem that has been around for many years.

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