Statistical priorities set by donors not states harm accountability

In many poor countries the statistical agenda is determined by outside donors providing ad hoc funding for particular projects to prove their own policies, rather than by the state's own priorities, so data are not collected for the state itself; this prevents fostering domestic political debate (e.g., Tanzania has had no labor survey since the 1980s despite candidates campaigning on employment), which undermines the public record of trust, accountability, and good governance.