This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Moldovan statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Moldovan-specific metadata information.
| Indicator |
Indicator 16.4.1: Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows |
|---|---|
| Definition and concepts |
The indicator measures the total value of illicit financial flows entering and exiting the country (IFF) expressed in current USD. IFFs are financial flows which are illicitly generated (for instance, originating from illegal proceed or tax evasion), illicit transfers (such as violation of foreign currency controls) or illicit use (for instance, for terrorism financing). |
| Unit of measure |
Million USD |
| Method of computation |
A process in two stages was developed, which helps the member states to calculated the indicator, which envisages: 1) An assessment of the rick identifying the major and the most relevant illicit financial flows (IFF) in a country. This risk assessment may follow and may be based on the existing risk assessments, for instance, the ones authorised by FATF. 2) Once the activities generating most of the important flows are identified, they should be estimated in a disaggregated manner. A first step for building the indicator is to focus it on the IFF types generated in the process of obtaining illicit revenues: this refers to the set of transactions - such as those related to international trade with illicit goods - which either generate directly illicit revenues for a subject during an illicit productive or non-productive activity or which are carried out in the context of illicit production of goods and services. In this context, the global methodology provided an example for estimating IFF obtained from illegal transportation/trafficking of migrants, which according to the Eurostat Manual on Compiling Statistics regarding illegal economic activities in national accounts and balance of payments, may distinguish four types of smuggling transactions, out of which two generate IFF: Type I: Resident smugglers and resident migrants do not cover the transnational nature and illegal entry and do no create IFF Type II: Resident smugglers and non-resident migrants - means export of services and has within IFF: Export of transport services = number of non-resident migrants transported illegally / trafficked by resident smugglers * prices Type III: Non-resident smugglers and resident migrants, estimated registered as import of illegal services and represents external IFF: Import of illegal transport = number of illegally transported/trafficked residents by non-resident smugglers * prices Type IV: Non-resident smugglers and non-resident migrants - no estimates were registered here Pilot studies carried out in 5 countries have determined that this methodology is possible, nevertheless there are data limitations, especially in relation to establishing the prices. At the second step the IFF are estimated in relation to illicit management of revenues. These refer to the IFF generated when the revenues obtained from illegal activities are invested abroad (for instance, in properties). To assess these flows, quantitative and qualitative information may be used, as obtained from financial authorities, central banks, and other entities involved in money laundering and financial offences. |
| Periodicity |
Annual |
| Data last updated | May 30, 2023 |
| Metadata last updated | May 30, 2023 |