The demand for timely and reliable statistical information is increasing. The need to monitor economic and social development and need of timely reply to rapid changes in economic environment requires timely high frequency data even more than before. The current financial crisis brought it to the forefront to policy makers and statisticians. Sound and timely financial indicators to provide advance warning in the system became very important.

In addition new research call for finding new measures of well being beyond the traditional macro economic indicators such as GDP and its components. These are only few examples of rising demands for data in addition to those brought to live with the need to measure the MDG's and respond to the results agenda.

At the same time the budgetary envelopes are shrinking and the funds allocates for statistical systems in the developed and developing world alike are becoming scarcer.

Keywords: Demand for statistics; Financial indicators; Developed and developing countries; Budget envelop

Biography: Misha Belkindas, a US national, working at the World Bank since 1992, is a Senior Advisor to the Director of the Development Data Group, the department that manages statistical activities and produces major Bank's statistical publications. Dr. Belkindas works extensively with key partners internationally to promote statistical capacity building. As the World Bank representative or alternate he participates in the meetings of UN Statistical Commission and others. He supports important global statistical programs such as the lending program STATCAP, Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building, Statistics for Results Facility, Development Grant Facility in support of Marrakesh Action Plan. He also supports the management of the International Comparison Program.

Dr. Belkindas holds a PhD in mathematical economics and has widely published on issues of economic modeling, transitional economies and statistical capacity building. He is a Honorary Doctor of the Institute of Economy and Forecasting of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine