After the financial crises of the mid-1990s, the IMF launched its Data Standards Initiative to address data gaps revealed by the crisis. Under this initiative, the Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) was created to guide participating countries in strengthening their national data systems by emphasizing data publication, namely through a National Summary Data Page (NSDP).

The NSDP is a “data hub” designed to improve data transparency and governance through the timely and regular release of data essential for the analysis of macroeconomic conditions. It focuses on the publication of data through a standardized platform to improve efficiency in data sharing, while leveraging SDMX or machine-readable technologies. The datasets chosen for the NSDP are considered important concepts for economic monitoring, including in the context of the Fund’s mandate for surveillance.

Countries that participate in e-GDDS have benefited by reducing their reporting burden to different agencies, generated greater interest in the country’s economy by policy makers, markets, and International Financial Institutions, and via the e-GDDS governance structure improved interagency collaboration.

The Browse Data button links the user to the compiling agency’s website, or a simple file containing the dataset in a human-readable form. These files are currently in Excel format.

The Download in SDMX button is used by databases and computers to pull data in SDMX, the international standard format for machine readable data. These agencies include multi-lateral organizations, rating agencies, global investors, and media services using automated processes.

The DSBB Metadata button links users to the metadata, which describes a country’s data collection, compilation and dissemination practices. This information is stored on the IMF’s Data Standards Bulletin Board (DSBB) website.