The American Statistical Association's report highlights deteriorating conditions for federal data collection due to declining budgets, staffing deficiencies, and insufficient statistical integrity. These challenges hinder the modernization of the national statistical infrastructure, crucial given the public's reluctance to participate in surveys. The decentralized nature of U.S. statistical agencies complicates collaboration and innovation, making it increasingly difficult to protect data collection efforts. Economic metrics like GDP and Personal Income are at risk due to these constraints, leading to an environment where verifying information may become challenging.
The year two status report stresses how the situation is worsening. Declining budgets, staffing constraints, and inadequate statistical integrity protections identified in the 2024 report have intensified in recent months.
Modernization is essential, given declining public willingness to respond to surveys and the need to use multiple data sources to maintain quality.
The U.S. decentralized approach makes it harder for agencies to establish collaborative partnerships, innovate, and protect their work from budget pressure.
Cuts to one agency can affect the entire system, impacting critical estimates like Gross Domestic Product and Personal Income.
Collection
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