Statistical business registers in the CIS countries: evidence from the UNECE questionnaire surveys

Abstract

The UNECE Statistical Division has been conducting questionnaire surveys and collecting information on statistical business registers in the region on a regular basis since 1995. The paper describes the results of the last two questionnaire surveys (2004 and 2006) carried out among the CIS countries, focusing on the observed changes in the sources, the coverage of statistical units, the included variables, and in the usage of statistical business registers. The comparison of these countries’ practices reveals important disparities in the status of the business register and its use for economic statistics. On the other hand, it demonstrates some convergence in approaches to statistical business register and attempts to follow more closely the advanced practice of European Union and North American countries.