--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/research/valuing-data-where-are-we-and-where-do-we-go-next/" title: "Valuing Data: Where Are We and Where Do We Go Next?" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-01T12:47:16+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-01T12:47:16+00:00" post_type: "research" summary: "" post_tag: - "data assets" - "data valuation" - "databases" - "digital economy" - "national accounting" - "national accounts" - "statistical agencies" country_focus: - "Canada" province_region: - "National" research_theme: - "Productivity and Economic Measurement" - "Technology and Innovation" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/old-reports_hero_banner_bg.webp" status: "publish" --- # Valuing Data: Where Are We and Where Do We Go Next? Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/research/valuing-data-where-are-we-and-where-do-we-go-next/ # Valuing Data: Where Are We and Where Do We Go Next? [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2023-05-1.pdf) Cite this report × Cite this report as: Sargent, Tim, and Laura Denniston. 2023. “Valuing Data: Where Are We and Where Do We Go Next?” CSLS Research Report 2023-05. Ottawa: Centre for the Study of Living Standards. https://csls.ca/research/valuing-data-where-are-we-and-where-do-we-go-next/ ## Authors: - Tim Sargent Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS); Macdonald-Laurier Institute - Laura Denniston Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) ## Report 2023-05 September 2023 22 pages ## Related research [Weak ICT Investment in Canada and the United States: The Role of Cloud Computing Myeongwan Kim August 2018 | Report 2018-04 | 60 pages](https://csls.ca/research/weak-ict-investment-in-canada-and-the-united-states-the-role-of-cloud-computing/) [What Explains the Rising Profit Share in Canada? 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This paper looks at recent attempts to value both the stock and flow of data in the national accounts and attempts to assess the way forward. It separates three different categories of data-related assets — data itself, databases, and data science — and outlines key national accounting concepts for incorporating them as assets. Three recent studies by statistical agencies in Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States are examined, each using a cost-based methodology. While each study finds data is a significant asset (investment estimated at one to three percent of output), there are significant differences in results. Il existe un large consensus sur l’importance des données dans les économies avancées, mais aucun consensus sur la façon précise d’évaluer l’ampleur de cette contribution. Cet article examine les tentatives récentes d’évaluation du stock et du flux de données dans les comptes nationaux et cherche à dégager la voie à suivre. Il distingue trois catégories d’actifs liés aux données — les données elles-mêmes, les bases de données et la science des données — et présente les principaux concepts de comptabilité nationale permettant de les intégrer à titre d’actifs. Trois études récentes menées par des organismes statistiques au Canada, aux Pays-Bas et aux États-Unis sont examinées, chacune utilisant une méthodologie fondée sur les coûts. Bien que chaque étude conclue que les données constituent un actif important (l’investissement étant estimé entre un et trois pour cent de la production), des différences importantes existent entre les résultats. [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2023-05-1.pdf)