Uses of National Accounts; History, International Standardization and Applications in the Netherlands

63 Pages Posted: 1 Jul 2008

See all articles by Frits Bos

Frits Bos

CPB Netherlands Bureau of Economic Policy Analysis

Date Written: June, 30 2008

Abstract

The national accounts is commonly known by its key-aggregates (e.g. GDP and saving) and their role in public debate and decision-making. However, the national accounts plays many different roles for many different uses. This paper provides an overview of the development of these roles and uses since the seventeenth century. Three periods are distinguished: the early estimates (1660-1930), revolutionary decades (1930-1950) and the era of the international guidelines (1950-present). The paper discusses these roles and uses also much more in detail for one country: the Netherlands, a country which played an important role in modern national accounting and where expert data users, like the CPB, SCP and the Dutch central bank, have developed several interesting applications of the national accounts.

Suggested Citation

Bos, Frits, Uses of National Accounts; History, International Standardization and Applications in the Netherlands (June, 30 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1153360 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1153360

Frits Bos (Contact Author)

CPB Netherlands Bureau of Economic Policy Analysis ( email )

P.O. Box 80510
2508 GM The Hague, 2585 JR
Netherlands

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