International Organizations and Soviet Statistics

Abstract

The compilation and analysis of economic statistics for the countries of the world by various international organizations is of importance to research in international economics. However, the present situation is that statistics from certain countries, particularly the Soviet Union, when available at all, are not only not comparable with those of the rest of the world, but are issued for propaganda purposes and cannot be considered as statements of existing conditions. The problem which must be faced is whether to discontinue the publication of such statistics entirely in world reports, or whether it is possible to publish them in such a form that their weaknesses are clearly evident.