Statistical reports and brass measuring tool on a dark table

GUIDE / INDICATORS

Compare public indicators without false equivalence

Two figures with the same name may measure different populations, periods or methods. Comparison starts with metadata, not a chart.

Five comparability conditionsFour steps to a traceable comparisonThree distinct uses

01 / GUIDE / INDICATORS

Frame the comparison before opening data

State the question and intended decision: trend, regional gap or operational choice. Set statistical unit, period and denominator. Then read each producer’s definitions and any series breaks.

Guides

02 / GUIDE / INDICATORS

Five comparability conditions

If one cannot be aligned, present the series side by side without a misleading ranking.

01

Population and coverage

Check ages, regions, sectors, exclusions and collection quality. A national rate may not describe a local area.

Record to retain · Population and scope
02

Concept definition

Read exact concepts and changes: reported employment, estimated employment and participation differ.

Record to retain · Definition and method
03

Unit and denominator

Convert only with an explicit rule. A percentage, count and per-capita value are not directly comparable.

Record to retain · Unit and formula
04

Time and version

Separate observation year, publication, extraction and revision. Retain the series used.

Record to retain · Code, date and version
05

Uncertainty and interpretation

Find margins, missing values, modelled estimates and breaks. Correlation does not establish cause.

Record to retain · Limits and assumptions

03 / GUIDE / INDICATORS

Four steps to a traceable comparison

The method values explainable differences over dramatic rankings.

  1. 01

    Fix the question

    Record populations, years and intended decision before choosing portals.

  2. 02

    Export series

    Keep identifiers, units, metadata, files and extraction dates.

  3. 03

    Normalize carefully

    Align series only after checking definitions and document every calculation.

  4. 04

    Present the gap

    Show value, source, limitation and alternative interpretations together.

04 / GUIDE / INDICATORS

Three distinct uses

Different decisions require different checks.

01

Compare two countries

Check population and method behind international indicators before stating a gap.

Read the dossier
02

Track a trend

Identify rebasing, revisions and missing periods before announcing acceleration.

Read the dossier
03

Cite a figure in a dossier

Connect the claim to the exact series, download and evidentiary limit.

Read the dossier

05 / GUIDE / INDICATORS

Method references

01

OECD Data Explorer

02

World Bank Open Data

03

UNESCO UIS · Data Browser

06 / FAQ

Comparison questions

Why do portals show different figures?

They may use different years, units, revisions or methods, or republish one producer’s data.

Can a missing year be filled?

Interpolation is an estimate. Label and explain it; never present it as an observation.

Is a ranking always useful?

Only when metric, scope and uncertainty permit an honest comparison for the decision.

07 / Discuss a context

Compare what can be compared

A metadata table and a few counterchecks support stronger conclusions than isolated figures.

Discuss a contextGuides