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PERPETUAL INVENTORY METHOD (PIM) – SNA

Statistics Directorate    
French Equivalent: Méthode de l’inventaire permanent (MIP – PIM, en anglais) - SCN

Definition:
The perpetual inventory method (PIM) is a method of constructing estimates of capital stock and consumption of fixed capital from time series of gross fixed capital formation.

It allows an estimate to be made of the stock of fixed assets in existence and in the hands of producers which is generally based on estimating how many of the fixed assets installed as a result of gross fixed capital formation undertaken in previous years have survived to the current period.

A PIM approach is also commonly used in valuing changes in inventories.

Source Publication:
SNA 6.189 [6.58].

Cross References:
Perpetual inventory method (PIM) – Capital stock

Hyperlink:
http://esa.un.org/unsd/sna1993/introduction.asp

Version Indicator: SNA

Statistical Theme: National accounts

Created on Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Last updated on Tuesday, March 11, 2003