Development and application of National accounts in Tanzania 1976-1999: Problems and prospects
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Date
2001
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Reliability of statistical infom1ation is a crucial element in making sound economic decisions. National accounts are particularly important in guiding such decisions and providing a description of an economy. The National Accounts of Mainland Tanzania face such problems. Given the importance of national accounts in economic planning. policy and decision-making a study on their reliability becomes important. This study attempts to evaluate the deficiencies in data and methods of data collection in Tanzania with a view to suggesting ways of improving their quality. In particular, the study examines significance of the contribution of own-account construction. Subsistence consumption and informal sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The analysis employed a combination of production and expenditure methods of estimating national income using both primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through a survey in three selected locations using a structured questionnaire while secondary data were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Planning Commission. Results from this study show that national accounts of Tanzania are underestimated. The magnitude of underestimation is quite large for some activities such as O\\TIĀ¬ account construction. In view of these findings it is recommended that methods of data collection be improved in terms of both methods used and coverage.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark ( THS EAF HF5628.T34M756)
Keywords
Accounting development, National accounting, Problems, Prospects, Tanzania
Citation
Msokwa, Z.E (2001) Development and application of National accounts in Tanzania 1976-1999: Problems and prospects.Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.