United Nations Expert Group Meeting on the Scope and Content of Social Statistics September 9-12, 2008 中华人民共和国国家统计局中华人民共和国国家统计局中华人民共和国国家统计局中华人民共和国国家统计局

United Nations Expert Group Meeting on the Scope and Content of Social Statistics September 9-12, 2008

中中华华人人民民共共和和国国国国家家统统计计局局

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Review on Culture and Leisure Statistics

Liu Wei, Xin Jia

National Bureau of Statistics of China

ESA/STAT/AC.161/Cl.1



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I. Comparison between Norway and Israel on Culture and Leisure Statistics

A. Concept and definition of “culture” NorwayTwo definitions of culture: The sector concept, where culture is understood as the production and distribution of certain products, particularly those made by professional artists, for consumption as a leisure time activity. The holistic concept, where culture is understood as a population’s ways of thinking, doing, and being, “the particular set of rule, beliefs, priorities and expectations” that mould “our world into a meaningful whole” .

IsraelSummarizing the 2009 framework of UNSECO (draft), there is no consensus on a single agree-on definition of culture. However, identifying which sectors should be fully included and which should only be partially included is essential to assessing and measuring the cultural sector.



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B. Classification of “culture”

Norway

Two main subdivisions of culture: Culture Offerings, including radio and television, film and video, news agencies, newspapers, periodicals, libraries, museums and archives and also public spending on culture; Cultural Activities, including membership in organizations and religious communities, media use, library visits, sports and outdoor recreation.

Israel

The classification of culture consists of cultural heritage, literature and other printed matter, the performing arts, plastic and visual arts, cultural goods and services, cultural industries, intangible heritage and traditional knowledge etc.

I. Comparison between Norway and Israel on Culture and Leisure Statistics (continued)



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C. Data sources of culture statistics

Norway Survey is an important data source in “cultural activities” statistics in Norway, such as time use study, the media barometer etc. Public spending on culture is from registers based in information supplied by producers as well as public budget and figures.

Israel Direct data collection from cultural organizations and cultural business Household Expenditure Survey Business Survey Survey of all non-profit organizations Administrative sources, etc.

I. Comparison between Norway and Israel on Culture and Leisure Statistics (continued)



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II. Culture and Leisure Statistics in China

A. Scope of culture and leisure statistics

Performances, libraries, museums, newspaper, periodicals, books, television, film and radio, audio/video products etc.

B. The data sources of culture and leisure statistics

Administrative records

Household surveys

Economic census

Time-use survey

C. The research and achievement of the statistics on Culture and Related Industry ( CRI )

Identifying the definition of CRI in China.

Clarifying CRI’s components

Identifying value added accounts of CRI in China.



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III. General Comment and Opinion on Culture and Leisure Statistics: Practice, Problem and Perspective

A. Definition of Culture and its Statistical Scope

There is no consensus on a single agreed definition of culture among

researchers, experts and policy makers from all countries of the

world. —— The 2009 UNESCO Framework on Cultural Statistics

(Draft)

Statistical authorities select domains or sectors of activities which

they understand as central to their culture. —— Suggested by the

Framework (Draft) above

This suggestion provide a way to

– assist countries to carry out culture statistics to meet their own

needs;

– make international comparison on culture and leisure statistics.



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B. Data Source of Culture and Leisure Statistics Statistical data can be collected from:

– administrative sources, – household surveys, – special surveys related to the culture and leisure, and – general surveys with culture and leisure components, etc.

Existing data are the most important sources of culture and leisure statistics. It is difficult to get some data because of the widespread scope of culture. Collection of cultural statistics generally lags behind the development of frameworks (Paper of Israel) .

C. Overlaps of Culture Statistics and Other Statistics

Should the overlaps be thought reasonable under certain circumstance?

III. General Comment and Opinion on Culture and Leisure Statistics: Practice, Problem and Perspective (continued)



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D. Efforts of International and Regional Organizations

International and regional organizations make great efforts in the

development of cultural statistics

Proposing principles and core domains on culture statistics

Promoting the improvement of culture statistics in countries and

the comparison among countries

From the perspective of improving comparability, national statistical

offices should be encouraged to apply principles and methods,

suggested by international and regional organizations, to national

practice.

III. General Comment and Opinion on Culture and Leisure Statistics: Practice, Problem and Perspective (continued)



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Thank you!

Documents

United Nations Expert Group Meeting on the Scope and Content of Social Statistics September 9-12, 2008 中华人民共和国国家统计局中华人民共和国国家统计局中华人民共和国国家统计局中华人民共和国国家统计局