ODIN 2022/23 Is Underway
by
Jamison Henninger
and Taylor Hadnot
Open Data Watch
12 April 2022
As of June, Open Data Watch commences work on the 6th Open Data Inventory (ODIN) — the only independent global measure of the openness of official statistics.
ODIN 2022/23 includes new updates that expand its global coverage from 187 to 194 countries and reinforces the importance of gender data in countries’ statistical systems.
These changes make ODIN a truly global index that can be used by the international community to monitor the state of open data across countries, and by countries to benchmark their own progress, with a particular focus on data to address gender inequalities.
Read more about these changes below.
What’s new in ODIN 2022/23?
No country can leave gender data behind
ODIN scores have improved over time, but gender data are not improving at the same rate. Gender data are data that are disaggregated by sex or that measure conditions and events that have a bearing on the welfare of women and girls. These data are used to identify specific needs, formulate policies to address shortcomings, and monitor impacts on women and their families. Whether a country collects and publishes open gender data is an indication of the statistical system’s capacity and the country’s dedication to achieving its commitments to gender equity.
To reinforce the importance of gender data and encourage countries to publish the data needed to address gender issues, changes to the ODIN 2022/23 scoring methodology will ensure that no data category that includes gender data or sex-disaggregated data can receive full credit without publishing these data. In addition, several indicators now require sex-disaggregation that did not before, such as (3.3) competency exam results and (7.1) prevalence of undernourishment.
These changes affect the following categories: Education Facilities, Education Outcomes, Food Security and Nutrition, Gender, and Crime and Justice Statistics.
You can find more information in the ODIN 2022/23 Methodology Guide.
More countries means true global coverage
ODIN 2022/23 will cover nearly all high-income and OECD countries, and most low- and middle-income countries, for a total of 194 countries – a net increase of seven countries from ODIN 2020/21. The new countries include more Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Barbados, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. In addition, the Central African Republic will enter ODIN for the first time and Venezuela will rejoin ODIN (after being removed last round because its website was offline).
The only remaining countries eligible to join ODIN 2022/23 are Afghanistan, Sudan, Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Comoros, and the Republic of Korea. The first three will not be included unless their websites are restored by June 2022; the final three have never been included in ODIN because their national statistical offices do not have a website.
This year’s list of ODIN countries constitute the most diverse pool so far. Here is a breakdown of countries included in ODIN 2022/23:
|
ODIN 2022/23 |
ODIN 2020/21 |
Total Possible |
|
|
World Bank IDA countries |
69 |
66 |
74 |
|
UN member Small Island Developing States (SIDS) |
37 |
31 |
38 |
|
World Bank FY22 fragile states |
34 |
32 |
39 |
|
World Bank FY22 lower-middle-income countries |
53 |
52 |
55 |
| World Bank FY22 upper-middle-income countries |
55 |
52 |
56 |
|
World Bank FY22 high-income countries |
62 |
59 |
80 |
When will ODIN 2022/23 be released?
ODIN 2022/23 is scheduled to be released in late February 2023.
How are ODIN results used?
ODIN is currently used by many organizations to monitor the state of open data across countries, as well as by many countries themselves. The World Bank’s Statistical Performance Indicators, the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), the Open Government Partnership’s Annual Report, and Equal Measures 2030 SDG Gender Index are just some examples of how ODIN is used by other international organizations. In addition, our website analytics shows a steady use of ODIN throughout the year by many countries. Between ODIN assessments, Open Data Watch offers technical assistance to countries who want to better understand their ODIN results and make improvements, and many countries have taken advantage of this. Rising open data champions, such as the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Ecuador, and Uzbekistan have all done so with enormous success that can clearly be seen in their ODIN rankings.
How can countries participate in the review process?
National statistical offices are invited to participate in the ODIN review process. Through their review they can provide information about the location of important datasets used during ODIN assessments and details of their open data strategy. To participate, an authorized representative should complete the sign-up form (available in English, Spanish, and French). Only one representative from each country should complete the form.
For more answers to questions about ODIN and the latest edition, read our Frequently Asked Questions section in the ODIN 2022/23 Methodology Guide.
