Administrative data held by government agencies are valuable because they are comprehensive and enable the longitudinal tracking of the same individuals over time—features that official statistics or survey data typically do not possess. Therefore, promoting their use for evidence-based policymaking (EBPM) and research purposes is important.
In some countries, such as the Nordic nations, the use of administrative data is already well established, and countries like the United States and the United Kingdom are also exploring ways to further expand their use.
Expanding the use of administrative data involves challenges, including protecting privacy and managing the increased administrative burden on government agencies. Addressing these competing demands is essential, and one key framework for doing so is the concept of the “Five Safes.”
In Japan, local governments have greater potential than the central government to expand the use of administrative data, and it would be highly beneficial for local governments to lead pioneering initiatives using such data, including implementing randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
