http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/25/egypt-statistics-state-control
Imagine trying to govern a country that lacks adequate statistics about economic activity, healthcare, crime, education, urban development and environmental pollution.
Imagine a country that relies heavily on tourism but has no figures showing why people visit or what they think of their stay.
Imagine a country that relies heavily on agriculture, and yet has produced no data on the quality of cultivable land since the 1970s.
"In effect, this gives the Egyptian state a monopoly on statistics & for 30 yrs at least central statistics has been headed not by professional statisticians but by a succession of major-generals from the military"
"Anyone wishing to compile data independently, through surveys or interviews, must first obtain a permit from the "General Department for Security" & that even applies to university students"
Imagine trying to govern a country that lacks adequate statistics about economic activity, healthcare, crime, education, urban development and environmental pollution.
Imagine a country that relies heavily on tourism but has no figures showing why people visit or what they think of their stay.
Imagine a country that relies heavily on agriculture, and yet has produced no data on the quality of cultivable land since the 1970s.
"In effect, this gives the Egyptian state a monopoly on statistics & for 30 yrs at least central statistics has been headed not by professional statisticians but by a succession of major-generals from the military"
"Anyone wishing to compile data independently, through surveys or interviews, must first obtain a permit from the "General Department for Security" & that even applies to university students"
