Comparing Income Statistics from Different Sources: Aggregate Income, 2005 - ARCHIVED

Articles and reports: 75F0002M2010002

Description:

This report compares the aggregate income estimates as published by four different statistical programs. The System of National Accounts provides a portrait of economic activity at the macro economic level. The three other programs considered generate data from a micro-economic perspective: two are survey based (Census of Population and Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics) and the third derives all its results from administrative data (Annual Estimates for Census Families and Individuals). A review of the conceptual differences across the sources is followed by a discussion of coverage issues and processing discrepancies that might influence estimates. Aggregate income estimates with adjustments where possible to account for known conceptual differences are compared. Even allowing for statistical variability, some reconciliation issues remain. These are sometimes are explained by the use of different methodologies or data gathering instruments but they sometimes also remain unexplained.

Issue Number: 2010002
Author(s): Maser, Karen; Olson, Eric
FormatRelease dateMore information
HTMLApril 6, 2010
PDFApril 6, 2010