System of National Accounts

1. The origins of the System of National Accounts (SNA) trace back to the 1947 Report of the Sub-Committee on National Income Statistics of the League of Nations Committee of Statistical Experts under the leadership of Richard Stone. At its first session in 1947, the United Nations Statistical Commission emphasized the need for international statistical standards for the compilation and updating of comparable statistics in support of a large array of policy needs. Specifically, the Commission recommended that the United Nations Statistical Office, in consultation with the interested specialized agencies, should work on guidelines for national accounts statistics (national income and expenditure), taking into consideration best practises and international comparability. In view of the emphasis on international statistical standards, the first national accounts standard was produced and published in 1953. The SNA was subsequently revised and updated in 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1993. In 2003 the United UNSC called for an update of the 1993 SNA. The System of National Accounts 2008, (in short the 2008 SNA) was finalised in September 2009. This chapter describes the concepts and definitions of the SNA as recommended by the 1993 SNA.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure