7th meeting of the IAEG-SDGs: UPDATE 5

Data disaggregation 

Presentation and review of the work plan on data disaggregation

By decision 47/101 of the 47th session of the Statistics Commission the IAEG was asked to “develop the necessary statistical standards and tools, including establishing a working group to work on data disaggregation as a subgroup of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group.” Subsequently the 49th session asked the IAEG-SDGs to “clearly determine the dimensions and categories of data disaggregation.., keeping in mind the resources neededand the key principle of the 2030 agenda of no one left behind.”

As all members of the IAEG-SDGs wanted to be members of the subgroup, it was decided to discuss data disaggregation within the whole group.

• Data disaggregation
• Data dimension refers to the “characteristics by which data is to be disaggregated by (for example sex, age disability)”
• Disaggregation category refers to the “different characteristics under a certain disaggregation dimension (such as female / male for the dimension sex)”

The main aim of disaggregation is to provide detailed data to ensure Leaving no one behind, which can only be achieved by disaggregating data according to relevant dimensions and categories, as stated in the 2030 Agenda. So far disaggregation dimensions are not yet available for all indicators, and the IAEG-SDGs has been concentrating on developing a minimum disaggregation for each indicator. The second step should be to extend disaggregation dimensions to cover all the dimensions (where applicable).

Issues with data disaggregation include political and financial vs technical and capacity limitations.

Work plan for data disaggregation guidelines

There has already been analysis of disaggregation dimensions stated in targets and indicators; review of existing standards; and discussions with Custodian Agencies. Wider and sustained consultations (including interest groups) and technical reviews are required for both developing and implementing and lessons can be learned from MDGs. 

The way forward includes avoiding working in silos, and submitting a reviewed work plan. A dimension matrix will be prepared to facilitate consultation; agreement is necessary on reporting timelines; mechanisms should also be established to engage with stakeholders. IAEG-SDGs members and Secretariat will facilitate consultations.

Following the presentation on Data disaggregation, UN Women made a presentation on its work on SDG Indicator 5.1.1, for which it is the custodial agency working together with the World Bank Group and OECD Development Centre. (See here)

UNICEF then made a presentation on the outcomes of the Expert Group Meeting on Disability. (See here)

Claudia Wells for the UK Office for National Statistics presented information on the Titchfield City Group on Ageing-related Statistics and Age-disaggregated Data. Pointing out that the global population aged 60 or over is growing faster than all younger age groups – about 3 percent per year. (See here)

For the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Grace Sanico Steffan reviewed relevant International human rights standards and recommendations and Human Rights in the 2030 Agenda. (See here)