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Is GDP still measured correctly in an era of digitalisation? (In English)

https://doi.org/10.34023/2313-6383-2016-0-8-14-26

Abstract

Recent years have seen a rapid emergence of new disruptive technologies, with digitalisation being a common characteristic. These include new platforms that facilitate Peer-to-Peer transactions, new activities such as crowd sourcing, a growing category of the ‘occasional self-employed’ and prevalence of ‘free’ media services, funded by advertising and ‘Big data’. Against a backdrop of slowing rates of measured productivity growth, this has raised questions about the conceptual basis of GDP and whether current compilation methods are adequate. This paper examines the statistical challenges posed by digitalisation. It delineates between conceptual and compilation issues and highlights areas where further investigations are merited. The overall conclusion is that, on balance, the accounting framework for GDP looks to be up to the challenges posed by digitalisation. Many practical measurement issues remain, however, in particular concerning price changes and where digitalisation meets internationalization.

About the Authors

Nadim Ahmad
OECD Statistics Directorate
Russian Federation


Schreyer Paul
OECD Statistics Directorate
Russian Federation


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Review

For citations:


Ahmad N., Paul S. Is GDP still measured correctly in an era of digitalisation? (In English). Voprosy statistiki. 2016;(8):14-26. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.34023/2313-6383-2016-0-8-14-26

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ISSN 2313-6383 (Print)
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