Statistical Terms Glossary

Maximum quantity of water capable of being lost, as water vapour, in a given climate, by a continuous stretch of vegetation covering the whole ground and well supplied with water. It thus includes evaporation from the soil and transpiration from the vegetation from a specific region in a given time interval.

Potential gross domestic product (GDP) is defined in the OECD’s Economic Outlook publication as the level of output that an economy can produce at a constant inflation rate. Although an economy can temporarily produce more than its potential level of output, that comes at the cost of rising inflation. Potential output depends on the capital stock, the potential labour force (which depends on demographic factors and on participation rates), the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU), and the level of labour efficiency.

Number of persons aged 25 to 64 years divided by the number of persons aged 65 years or over. De facto population as of mid-2019. It is expressed as number of persons of working age (25-64 years) per person aged 65 years or over.

The maximum realizable yield that can be achieved by a given crop cultivar in a given area, based on radiation and temperature.

In hydrology, potential yield refers to the maximum amount of water that can be extracted from a well, given a particular set of circumstances.

Poverty gap ratio is the mean distance separating the population from the poverty line (with the non-poor being given a distance of zero), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line.

The mean distance below the poverty line as a proportion of the poverty line where the mean is taken over the whole population, counting the non-poor as having zero poverty gap. That is the mean shortfall from the poverty line (counting the non poor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line.

Poverty gap is the mean shortfall of the total population from the poverty line (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.
The indicator is often described as measuring the per capita amount of resources needed to eliminate poverty, or reduce the poor’s shortfall from the poverty line to zero, through perfectly targeted cash transfers.

An income level that is considered minimally sufficient to sustain a family in terms of food, housing, clothing, medical needs, and so on.

An IMF facility known until November 1999 as the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF). The PRGF is available to those countries that are facing protracted balance of payments problems and are eligible to borrow on concessional terms under the International Development Association (IDA).

Power involves the ability, skill or capacity to make decisions and take action; physical force or strength. The exercise of power is an important aspect of relationships. The more power a person has, the more choices are available to that person. People who have less power have fewer choices and are therefore more vulnerable to abuse. When women’s movements, feminist groups and development organizations help people acquire “power” individually and collectively, they do not necessarily understand power in its traditional sense of domination or “power over.” Instead, they have agreed that there are several kinds of power involved in the empowerment process. These four dimensions are called: power over, power to, power with and power from within.

Mechanical force developed by the motive power installation in a vessel.

Percent of irrigation area where pumps are used for water supply from the source to the scheme, expressed in percentage. It includes also areas where water is drained out with human- or animal-driven water lifting devices.

Irrigation where pumps are used for water supply from the source to the scheme. It also includes areas where water is drained out with human- or animal-driven water lifting devices. It does NOT refer to pumping required for the technology used within the field (such as sprinkler irrigation or localized irrigation, which require pressure and thus pumping). Also called pump irrigation.

Social or political power which highlights the notion of common purpose or understanding, as well as the ability to get together to negotiate and defend a common goal (individual and collective rights, political ideas such as lobbying, etc.). Collectively, people feel they have power when they can get together and unite in search of a common objective, or when they share the same vision.

This notion of power refers to self-awareness, self-esteem, identity and assertiveness (knowing how to be). It refers to how individuals, through self-analysis and internal power, can influence their lives and make changes.

Is computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.

Needs defined by women (or men) that respond to immediate necessities such as adequate living conditions, water provision, health care and employment.