Abstract

The data broadens the range of means of labor and objects of labor, improves efficiency, and constitutes a vital component of new quality productivity. The statistics and accounting of data assets, along with the measurement of their economic contribution, present formidable challenges in national accounting. This paper analyzes the value performance of data in three stages of data production activities and the characteristics of new quality productivity. Constructing indicator system of statistics and accounting of data assets covering "input - output - investment - accumulation - service" and proposing accounting methods for data capital. In the light of the national accounting principles, this paper estimates the input, output and investment of data production activities, as well as the data capital stock and flow, and then quantifies its wealth value and economic contribution. The empirical results show that, the fixed capital formation of data increases steadily from 92.442 billion yuan in 2000 to 1,409.038 billion yuan in 2022, with its proportion in GDP showing a trend of initially decreasing and then increasing. Upon accounting for data as assets, both the GDP growth rate and investment rate experience an increase. From 2001 to 2022, China's data wealth capital stock exhibits a significant growth trend, with an average annual growth rate of 19.80%. Concurrently, the growth rate of data capital service transitions from high-speed growth to medium-high growth, experiencing an average annual growth rate decrease from 29.66% (2001 to 2010) to 9.35% (2011 to 2022), data capital emerges as pivotal factors in the stable and normal operation of the economy, boasting average contribution rates of 6.07%. During the replacement of old growth drivers with new ones, it is crucial to thoroughly explore the contribution potential of data new quality productivity. This study contributes to enhancing China's statistical accounting system for data assets and promoting the formation of new quality productivity.