How Key National Indicators Can Improve Policymaking and Strengthen Democracy

This speech was given by the Comptroller General before OECD's Second World Forum on Statistics, Knowledge, and Policy in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 26, 2007. From the industrialized world to the developing world, all nations face a range of challenges. Some are long-standing and country-specific. But increasingly, nations face common challenges that transcend national borders, economic sectors, and institutional divides. I'd include here vital issues like economic interdependence, environmental protection, and global pandemic preparedness. Most of these are long-term challenges, which can take years or even decades to address. At the same time, nations face the reality of finite resources. The challenge before us is how we can stretch those resources and get the greatest value for the money we spend. Fortunately, nations today have several tools at their disposal to help them achieve these goals. Examples of these tools include strategic planning, scenario modeling, and indicator systems. I've chosen to focus on key national indicators because of their powerful potential to help countries prioritize resource allocation, improve government services, and promote accountability and enhance citizen engagement. With data from indicator systems, policymakers can better assess their current situation, make more informed decisions, and measure their progress over time and relative to other nations.