IAEG work on additional indicators for the Handbook on MDG indicators

1. Geneva, 8-11 November 2010 IAEG work on additional indicators for the Handbook on MDG indicators United Nations Statistics Division

2. “Previous” Handbook on MDG indicators • Contained information on the official MDG indicators (48 at the time). For each indicator provided: definition, rationale for selecting the indicator, method of computation, sources of data, references, limitations, notes on gender issues, and agencies concerned with each topic.

3. Handbook revision - Country recommendations • 12th IAEG meeting on MDG indicators, 2007, Paris • The Handbook should discuss relevant sub-regional indicators • It should include illustrative examples • 14th IAEG meeting on MDG indicators, 2008, Geneva • Handbook should discuss relevant indicators adapted to country circumstances

4. Updated Handbook on MDG indicators • Tailored to country needs, will focus on methods to produce the MDG indicators at the national level, based on existing national sources. • Will clarify the differences between methods used by International agencies and those recommended to national experts. • Will include guidelines on how to disaggregate data, links to relevant publications and websites, and information on the new MDG indicators. • Expected release by beginning of 2011

5. Updated Handbook on MDG indicators

6. Updated Handbook: supplementary information SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Alternative data sources Similar indicators Country-specific issues • When official indicators cannot be calculated, need to be modified, are not relevant to the country

7. Additional Indicators • IAEG members are currently working on compiling supplementary indicators • So far, supplementary information has been provided for 10 indicators • We aim at providing supplementary information for every official MDG indicator • The work should be finalized this year • The information will be placed on the electronic version of the manual, and will be updated as needed

8. Supplementary information: Example • Indicator 2.1: Net Enrolment Ratio in primary education OTHER RELATED INDICATORS Data on enrolment by age may not be available in some countries … In this case the following options may help to assess the participation of school age children at primary level:

9. Supplementary information: Example Use the Gross enrolment ratio (GER) in primary as a proxy indicator. GER is the number of pupils enrolled in primary education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population in the theoretical age group for primary education. Depending on the proportion of the children enrolled who are not of primary school-age, the GER overestimates NER to a greater or lesser extent… A GER close to or over 100% indicates a theoretical capacity of the system to accommodate all targeted children. Definition Comments and limitations Interpretation

10. Supplementary information: Example OTHER SOURCES Use different sources to compute indicators/alternative indicators • Some countries may rely on household data (i.e. MICS, DHS, or national HHS) for the calculation of attendance rates. • Attendance rates may be calculated based on the two following questions in HHS : • During the (n) school year, did (name) attend school or preschool at any time? • During this/that school year, which level and grade is/was (name) attending? … Alternative sources Details on Methodology

11. Handbook on MDG indicators: Next Steps • Electronic version to be published on-line in 2011 • Additional supplementary information for all indicators – including new alternative indicators, its methodology and sources • Revision of detailed examples for each MDG indicator to explain the calculation process step-by-step • Drafting of additional examples for alternative indicators and data sources