Data must be available and accessible to help meet development challenges faced around the world. National statistical systems have an obligation to provide open and complete data. A founding purpose of ODW was to serve as an independent partner to support countries’ data work and to monitor progress in addressing gaps.
The Open Data Inventory (ODIN) was created as a practical tool to measure the coverage and accessibility of official statistics. The success of the ODIN model has led to it now being adapted for sector-specific assessments, such as gender data.
Assessing and monitoring the coverage and openness of official statistics
To ensure national statistical systems meet their obligations to provide open and complete development data, the world needs independent authorities to monitor their performance. Open Data Inventory (ODIN) provides annual assessments of the coverage and openness of official statistics in countries around the world. The ODIN methodology is transparent, reproducible, and consistent with international standards. Since launching the first assessments in 2015, Open Data Watch has expanded efforts through direct engagement with NSOs. Through this direct engagement, objective assessments are transformed into practical policy and technical advice.
Based on demand from organizations focused on specific sectors, Open Data Watch is adapting the ODIN model into sector specific assessments. Ongoing work on an assessment tool for gender data and ODIN Gender Data Index (OGDI) are prime examples.
VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO ODIN
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This short video offers an overview of the Open Data Inventory (ODIN). It covers the importance of monitoring the coverage and openness of official statistics as well as explains what ODIN does and how to use it.
An introductory video to 2018/19 ODIN results is below:
Measuring the effectiveness of development data indexes and tools
Reliable data is needed to inform efforts and monitor progress—whether it be for social, economic or environmental issues. Different indexes and tools exist to help identify and address gaps in current data. ODW supports many of these indexes and tools. Not only is ODIN used as a component of # other indexes and tools, but ODIN research also identifies opportunities for improvement across many others.
The Better Measurement and Monitoring of Data for Development identifies similarities and differences in concept and coverage across twelve widely used performance indexes and assessment tools. This helps inform the development of new indexes and tools as well as adjustments in existing ones. Open Data Watch contributes to conversations around how to measure data use and supports increasing the use of gender data through calling for improvements to the quality and transparency of women’s economic empowerment and gender equality indexes.
WHAT’S NEW?
Building Market Confidence through Better Data
Drawing on findings from ODIN, the Open Data Insights Series explores key topics in greater depth. This first brief examines how the coverage and openness of economic and financial statistics are linked to stronger investment climates.
ODIN 2024/25 Report: A Decade of Progress
The 7th edition of the Open Data Inventory (ODIN), covering 197 countries across 22 categories of official statistics, reveals that countries are making substantial progress in openness and coverage, but that the current data ecosystem faces risks without sustained commitment and investment.
ODIN 2024/25: A Decade of Progress with New Risks Ahead
The 7th edition of the Open Data Inventory (ODIN), covering 197 countries across 22 categories of official statistics, reveals that countries are making substantial progress, but that the changing data ecosystem also faces risks without sustained commitment and investment.