Qatar National Development Planning Statistics as the Evidence Base Dr Richard Leete

1. Qatar National Development Planning Statistics as the Evidence Base Dr Richard Leete Director, Department of Social Development (DSD) and Ms Badria Ali Mohammad Senior Researcher, DSD Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics Doha 10 December 2013 1

2. Presentation Themes Qatar’s National Planning Framework Results Chain and Monitoring Progress Human Rights Perspective Qatar’s New Measures of Well-being Frontier Statistical Possibilities Conclusion 1 2 3 4 5 6

3. 1 Qatar’s National Planning Framework Underpinned with solid evidence base Critical importance of quality, timely and disaggregated statistics for every stage of the planning cycle Qatar National Vision 2030 • Defines national development goals National Development Strategy 2011 – 2016 • Defines priority national initiatives for achieving QNV 2030 goals • Learns lessons and realigns sector and national initiatives Mid-term Review 2013 Sector Strategies 2011 – 2016 • Defines priority sector initiatives

4. 2 Data Required at All Stages of Results Chain • If – then • If project activities are undertaken as planned then outputs will be produced • If project outputs are produced then NDS outcomes are likely to follow • If NDS outcomes are achieved then they will contribute towards QNV goals Under control of implementation agency QNV GOALS Theory of change NDS Outcomes Project Outputs Deliverables Outcome Indicators Activities Process Indicators Inputs • Process indicators such as # qualified teachers and curricula changes • Outcome indicators such as examination results and attainment levels

5. Monitoring for Development Results What, why and how Why do we monitor? • To get regular feedback on implementation progress, detect implementation problems, and improve performance • To ensure we are on track to achieve expected project results at all levels What are key questions for monitoring? • Are project outputs being produced as planned & are they contributing to desired outcomes & goals? • Have we specified appropriate indicators? How do we use monitoring information? • To learn lessons and report on progress

6. 19% Tracking Progress in Achieving ResultsIllustrative example What results are we aiming to achieve Indicators of progress (Baselines and targets) Results chain QNV Goal Develop a sound social structure with effective public institutions and active civil society organisations • CEDAW and CRC ratified and complied with NDS Outcome Reduced family violence • Number of reported cases of domestic violence reduced • Increase in % of women who feel that domestic violence has decreased Outputs (Deliverables) • Comprehensive domestic violence prevention, protection and support system established • An early child neglect and abuse detection mechanism established • Increased awareness of harmful effects of domestic violence • New policy and legislation on child abuse implemented Activities (Tasks) • Procure services • Collect and review data • Drafting legislation • Training programme • Create hotline       Inputs Budgets, human resources • Budget allocated and spent for each activity

7. Illustrative Examples of Tracking ProgressTowardsQNV 2030 goals - targets and monitorable indicators QNV 2030 Goal 5A world-class educational system that equips citizens to achieve their aspirations and to meet the needs of Qatar’s society Target 1: Qatar’s students’ school performance in international tests ranked in line with mean of top 10 OECD countries • PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS test scores • Net enrolment in K-12 schooling by level and sex QVN 2030 Development Goals Indicators for Monitoring Progress Human Development Pillar – An Educated Population Social Development Pillar – Social Care and Protection QNV2030 Goal 13 An effective social protection system for all Qataris that ensures their civil rights, values their contribution in developing their society, and ensures an adequate income to maintain a healthy and dignified life Target 1: Incidence of relative poverty (half median household equalized income) below 5 percent of Qatari households • Percentage of low income Qatari household • Gini coefficient

8. Ensuring Quality DataFor evidence base planning and monitoring • Data users • Can only assess data quality indirectly by checking internal consistency • Comparing same variable derived from different data sources • Through trend analysis • Data producers • Need to check quality and reliability of statistics • Systematic validation assessments of data quality through in-house checks and validation controls Meta data on concepts and methodologies used should follow international standards

9. 3 Indicators From a Human Rights Perspective Qatar’s 4th NHDR on theme – The Right to Development Human development and human rights two sides of same coin • Data users • Can give greater focus to disadvantaged communities through focus on relevant indicators that support an inclusive approach to sustainable development • Data producers • Can advance agenda on right to development through adopting human rights principles, such as disaggregating basic indicators according to sex, age, nationality, geographic location

10. 19% New Measure of Well-being for QatarFor monitoring progress towards QNV 2030 goals 4 Traditionally Countries measured well-being merely in terms of income growth. But size and growth of GDP reflects aggregate economic performance and is not necessarily a good measure of individual or national well-being ― low income groups may not always benefit ― and increasing GDP growth is unsustainable if depleting natural resource base Emerging Complementary Approach International policy focus shifting to include indicators of well-being of individuals and nations • New and innovative methods to monitor well-being and happiness are being devised by international agencies, countries and NGOs • National well-being measured through many domains of people’s lives, attitudes and aspirations using traditional and non-traditional data sources

11. Objective and Subjective Well-being Measures Statistical agencies need to facilitate collection, validation and dissemination of data Quantitative Objective Indicators of Well-being Qualitative Subjective Indicators of Well-being Level Individual • Based on external evaluation using measurable criteria, mainly from household surveys such as • Personal income • Whether employed • Other personal and household characteristics • How individuals think and feel about their lives in terms of self reporting on life as a whole, and on domains such as family and work • Can include the individual’s actual feelings, such as pain, worry, pleasure and respect National • How well country is doing in terms of well-being of its population • Mainly based on socio-economic indicators • Information based on aggregation of self-reports of individuals • May not be comparable across different cultures, although interesting to compare sub-groups • National well-being measure provide information to policy makers and citizens about social and economic progress

12. High-levels of Life Satisfaction But Qataris more satisfied than non-Qataris • Major challenges in developing measures of well being include: • What indicators or domains to combine when using either objective or subjective data, and what weights to assign the components • Reconciling expert and key stakeholder opinions on what is well-being and how best it should be measured • Collecting the required data on a regular annual basis

13. 5 Frontier Data Possibilities Statistical agencies to explain and set quality standards for planning • Enhancing participation and accountability New Data • Citizen report cards – users’ giving feedback on public service performance in terms of quality and access, eg education and health • Social audits – stakeholders assessments of industry’s social and environmental benefits and impacts • Utilising new huge computing capacity for in-depth analysis at individual level in different domains Big Data • Disciplining increasing volumes of micro information captured through transactions and digital interactions • Improving efficiency and quality of service delivery in health education and environment sectors by monitoring and tracking individual level data • For example , enhancing individual student performance through individual assessments, including interactions with teachers, through analysis of data trails

14. 6 Conclusion What we measure and monitor is what we strive to achieve