Perestroyka and Soviet Statistics

The impact of perestroyka and glasnost' on the diversity and credibility of statistical coverage of the Soviet economy is discussed and analyzed. Included in the up-to-date review of such topics as reform desiderata, the institutional anatomy, key problem areas, criticism and control, and rapid advances in the release of previously unavailable statistics, is a detailed chronicle of pertinent developments since April, 1985. It is suggested that very little improvement has been observed in the quality and reliability of Soviet economic statistics, particularly in the area of prices and in the methodology of national income accounting. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: 052, 124, 221, 225, 227.