Defending Dignity A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions on Monitoring Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 6.1.2. Socio-economic and administrative statistics Socio-economic and administrative statistics are aggregate datasets that contain objective quantitative or qualitative information. This data is compiled and disseminated by State agencies, usually in collaboration with national statistical agencies and, at times, with guidance from international organizations. The State will often use statistics, such as those gathered in censuses and surveys, to compare different ethnic, geographic or economic groups for policymaking and planning purposes. This type of data can be categorized into three sub-types. Administrative records are generated when line ministries, government agencies and other public institutions interact with the public and record information related to the number and profile of their beneficiaries, such as students, patients, pensioners, welfare recipients, license holders, tax payers and so on. For example, civil registration systems and national population systems are used to compile vital statistics (e.g. death and birth rates) and prepare electoral rolls. Administrative records can be extremely useful in ESCR monitoring because of their simplicity, the frequency with which they are updated and their cost effectiveness (because they already exist). However, because administrative data about a population is limited to those segments of the population that use a particular public service, its coverage is not always reliable. For example, crime statistics only cover those crimes that are reported. However, we know that some crimes, particularly sexual assault and domestic violence, are extremely underreported. Over-reliance on administrative data can result in underestimating the numbers and needs of certain marginalized groups who tend to be ‘invisible’ in these data sets: for example, sex workers, homeless people, or persons with disabilities. EXAMPLE: HEALTH DATA IN THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines Department of Health uses two types of data to inform its policies and programmes: • Surveys and censuses, like the National Demographic and Health Survey undertaken by the National Statistics Office, the annual Maternal and Child Health Survey, the Family Planning Survey, and the Census of Population and Housing • Administrative data, or records, from health and health-related agencies, from a large number of public and private agencies. For more information, see: Domingo, Estrella V., “Administrative Data Key to Health Policies and Programs: Philippine Experience” (2008). CASE STUDY: ADMINISTRATIVE STATISTICS ON SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN MALAYSIA In 2013, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) conducted a study on access to education by children with learning disabilities. SUHAKAM also collected administrative data on the number of schools with special integrated programmes (SEIP). This data indicated that the majority of SEIPs were offered in urban or suburban areas. Administrative statistics indicated community-based rehabilitation centres existed in rural areas. However, these centres did not perform the same role and function as SEIPs. 60