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© 2022 International Monetary Fund
WP/22/197
IMF Working Paper
Statistics Department
Experimental Indicators of Digital Industries in Select Countries: Definitions, Methods, and Results
Prepared by Brent Moulton, James Tebrake, and Martha Tovar
Authorized for distribution by Mr. Tebrake
September 2022
IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
ABSTRACT: The pervasive impact of digitalization on the economy and the lack of an agreed definition makes it challenging to obtain estimates of the digital economy. Nowadays, some countries have estimated the value of the digital economy by identifying digital products or industries as defined in the international classifications. This study presents the estimates of digital industries for five countries that participated in an experimental exercise, applying a simplified standard approach recommended by the international agencies as part of the national accounts framework and using publicly available and limited secondary information. The results show that the structure and evolution of digital industries vary across countries and over time and that the estimates depend significantly on the underlying data sources. The conclusions of this exercise reveal the need to upgrade the data sources to better identify the impact of digitalization and contribute to policy-making on the economic benefits of digitalization.
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| JEL Classification Numbers: | E01, F14, F19, F62, O33 |
| Keywords: | Enabling industries; digitally ordered; digitally delivered; digital intermediary platforms; e-commerce; supply and use tables |
| Author’s E-Mail Address: | jtebrake@imf.org; mtovarsoria@imf.org |
| JEL Classification Numbers: | E01, F14, F19, F62, O33 |
| Keywords: | Enabling industries; digitally ordered; digitally delivered; digital intermediary platforms; e-commerce; supply and use tables |
| Author’s E-Mail Address: | jtebrake@imf.org; mtovarsoria@imf.org |
Title Page
WORKING PAPERS
Experimental Indicators of Digital Industries in Select Countries
Definitions, Methods, and Results
Prepared by Brent Moulton, James Tebrake, and Martha Tovar1
Contents
Glossary
Background
Definition – What is Digitalization and the “Digital Economy”
Selected Country Work
Current International Guidance in Accounting for Digitalization
Digital Transactions, Products, and Industries
Method Implemented in Producing the Experimental Estimates
Results
Conclusions
References
BOX
1. E-commerce Estimates: Mexico’s Experience
FIGURES
1. Value Added of Digital industries for Australia, Canada, the United States, and Participating Countries
2. Digital Industries 2011–2019 for Australia, Canada, the United States, and Participating Countries
3. Digital SUTs Industries. Australia, Canada, the United States, and Participating Countries, GVA Percentages per Country
4. Digital SUTs Industries: Australia, Canada, the United States, and Participating Countries, Contribution to the Total Digital Industries per Country
5. Digital Industries as a Share of Nominal GVA Compared to GVA, by ISIC Sector: Mexico and Thailand
7. Digital Industries as a Share of Nominal GVA Compared to GVA, by ISIC Sector: Indonesia
6. Digital Industries as a Share of Nominal GVA Compared to GVA, by ISIC Sector: Chile and Colombia
Glossary
| BEA | Bureau of Economic Analysis |
| CPC 2.1 | Central Product Classification System |
| GVA | Gross Value Added |
| ICT | Information and communication technology |
| INEGI | Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (National Statistical Office of Mexico) |
| ISIC Rev. 4 | International Standard Industrial Classification System Rev. 4 |
| ISWGNA | Inter-secretariat Working Group on National Accounts |
| NESDC | National Economic Social Development Council of Thailand |
| NSO | National Statistical Offices |
| OECD | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |
| SUT | Supply and Use Tables |
“The authors would like to thank the National Statistical Offices of the participating countries and the NESDC of Thailand for the information and support provided to conduct the experimental estimates included in this document.