Construction Statistics

the branch of economic statistics that studies phenomena and processes related to capital investments in the reproduction of fixed capital stock and to the production work of the construction industry. In the USSR construction statistics includes the statistics of capital investments, statistics of construction organizations, and statistics of designing and surveying organizations.

The objective of construction statistics is to collect, process, summarize, and analyze valid, scientific data on the implementation of capital construction plans and to identify resources for increasing the efficiency of capital investments and construction work. A system of indexes has been developed to accomplish these tasks. For example, in the statistics of capital investments, the following indexes are used: introduction of fixed capital stock and production capacities into operation; implementation of plans and rate of growth; volume, structure, and trend of capital investments; volume and composition of uncompleted construction; and effectiveness of capital investment. In the statistics of construction organizations, indexes used include volume of construction and installation work by units to be put into operation, volume of gross and net output, and volume of uncompleted construction and installation work at the end of a prescribed period. In the statistics of designing and surveying organizations, indexes used include volume of designing and surveying work to be turned over to customers, volume of gross output, and volume of uncompleted designing and surveying work at the end of a year.

Another task of construction statistics is to study labor as a basic factor in construction production. Construction statistics computes indexes of the number of workers, composition of the work force, and worker mobility; work time and its use; and the current level and dynamics of labor productivity and wages, as well as the factors causing changes. In studying the means of production, construction statistics considers indexes of the volume, composition, current status, and efficiency of use of fixed capital stock and indexes of the availability and use of materials. It devotes considerable attention to studying technological progress and industrialization in construction. These two processes can be characterized by indexes of mechanization and integrated mechanization of jobs and labor, introduction of new technology and industrial methods of production, and the efficiency of such technology and methods. Construction statistics also studies indexes of plan implementation and changes over time in the prime cost of production and financial condition of construction and of designing and surveying organizations.

The primary source of data for construction statistics is current and annual reporting. Reports are submitted to agencies of the Central Statistical Board of the USSR by builders (including private builders) and by construction and designing and surveying organizations. In addition to reports, construction statistics carries out censuses and one-time inventories and surveys (for example, of construction machinery, uncompleted construction work, stocks of materials and equipment at construction sites). Statistical agencies submit material to Gosplan (State Planning Committee) and to ministries and departments for the preparation of future plans for capital construction. They also investigate specific problems, summarize statistical practices, and refine the methodology used for indexes.