Data, Statistics and Tools for Development-focused Public Finance

The increasing complexity of development challenges requires sophisticated data and statistical frameworks to inform public finance decisions and accelerate SDG progress. With developing countries facing mounting debt pressures and shrinking fiscal space, the need for evidence-based policymaking supported by robust data infrastructure has never been more critical. Tools like Nadabas and Statbus, developed through partnerships with Statistics Norway and now under Statafric's custodianship, provide essential foundations for tax administration. Similarly, administrative tax data offer unique, highly valuable insights for the analysis of tax policy and tax administration, yet they remain largely underused. Microsimulation tools such as SOUTHMOD and GHATAX complement and enable analysis of policy impacts across different population segments.

The session highlighted successful cases where data-driven approaches have informed revenue collection while promoting equity and sustainability. Drawing on practical experiences from multiple countries, it demonstrated how data and tools for tax gap analysis, national accounts, business registration, and policy simulation can provide coherent and complementary evidence, creating synergies for fiscal policy decisions. It also reflected on addressing data infrastructure challenges and showcased how these statistical and analytical tools can be integrated to strengthen public finance management and drive better development outcomes.

By bringing together experts from and working with national statistics offices, Ministries of Finance, tax administrations, and international organizations, the session aimed to forge stronger collaboration between different actors in the public finance ecosystem. This aligns with the dialogue's broader goal of breaking down silos between institutions and building more integrated approaches to achieve the SDGs. Special attention was given to capacity building needs and opportunities for South-South knowledge exchange.

Watch the event recording here.