Methodology
How we collect and verify data
A number that can't be traced is a number that can't be trusted. This page explains where our data comes from, how we transform it, and why our figures may differ from other sources.
The pipeline
From source to chart
Every dataset passes through these seven steps. No shortcuts.
01Identify
We track which Iraqi institutions publish what — ministries, the Central Bank of Iraq, the Central Statistical Organization (CSO), provincial offices, and international bodies (World Bank, IMF, UN).
02Collect
Data arrives in mixed forms: PDFs, Excel files, scanned tables, web pages, occasionally CSVs. We download primary sources and archive them with timestamp and URL.
03Clean & normalise
Iraqi numbers come in IQD billions, USD millions, percentages, ratios, sometimes mixed within one document. We normalise units, fix encoding issues, and reconcile duplicate rows.
04Validate
Every figure is cross-checked against at least one secondary source. Outliers (e.g. a 300% jump year-over-year) trigger a manual review and a footnote.
05Annotate
Each indicator carries a unit, period, source, methodological note, and known limitations. Where two sources disagree, we publish both with reasoning.
06Publish
Data goes live as a chart, a downloadable dataset, or both. Every page exposes the source URL prominently and links back to it.
07Update
When a primary source publishes new figures, we update the live dataset and append a changelog entry. Older versions remain available via API.
Principles
How we treat data
Source first.
We never publish a number we can't trace to a primary document.
Show your work.
When we transform raw data, we publish the formula. When we adjust for inflation, we say which CPI series.
Disagreements are content.
If the World Bank and CSO report different GDP figures, that's an analytical opportunity. We publish both.
Updates are public.
Every dataset has a changelog. Anyone can see what changed, when, and why.
Primary sources
Where our data comes from
We lean primarily on Iraqi official sources, with cross-checks from established international institutions.
Limitations
What we can't promise
- • Iraqi official data often lags 12-24 months. We surface the most recent available.
- • KRG and some provincial figures differ in quality from federal numbers.
- • For informal sectors (cross-border trade, informal labour), figures are estimates.
- • We correct errors as they're surfaced — see each dataset's changelog.