El costo de la canasta básica ha bajado en tres meses, según el gobierno guatemalteco

The INE’s new methodology for calculating inflation and the cost of basic food baskets in Guatemala has yielded results showing a slowdown in inflation and a slight reduction in the prices of staple foods. The Central Bank regards these figures as confirmation of its projection to keep inflation within the established target, attributing the downward trend to external factors such as lower imported prices and monetary policy decisions. This stabilization suggests that the Guatemalan economy is responding favorably to monetary controls, offering a more predictable outlook for economic agents. However, the validity of these indicators has been questioned by union representatives and civil society sectors, who argue that the new calculations do not reflect the cost of living as experienced by the population. The criticism centers on the suspicion that the altered methodology artificially portrays lower inflation, thereby masking the real increase in the cost of essential goods such as tortillas and gasoline. This discrepancy between official data and the daily experiences of families has eroded trust in the statistical institute’s ability to measure the economy over time, posing a significant challenge to transparency in the management of public data. This case is relevant to the open data movement because it highlights the critical importance of methodological transparency and the accessibility of data collection processes. When doubts arise about the reliability of official data, public trust erodes and accountability becomes more difficult. Advocating for open access to algorithms, primary sources, and calculation criteria enables civil society and experts to audit the figures, ensuring that statistics serve as genuine analytical tools rather than instruments of perceived manipulation—key elements for effective democratic governance.

Source: prensalibre.com
Published on 2024-04-10