The above observations lead us to conclude that Myanmar has two choices in terms of its economic data:
continue to stick with exceptionally high and unbelievable real GDP growth rates and the associated embarrassingly poor social and economic indicators
revise real GDP growth rates to more realistic, accurate and reasonable levels and have less embarrassing social and economic indicators.
What to choose? I think we have stuck with the first option long enough; it has been counterproductive. The good image that a high growth rate is expected to convey has proved elusive. The public data are largely ignored and are probably thought not fit to be printed, so do not appear in the major regional and world economic reviews and reports. On the other hand, the embarrassing social and economic indicators they generate attract publicity, are talked about, highlighted and published. This is not good politics.
It is time therefore to move to the second option. Improvement in quality, accuracy, credibility, reliability, timeliness and the availability of economic and social statistical data and information will be an essential first step in building a modern developed nation.