Almost every country in the world has its national statistical office.
The world statistics is based on the UN Fundamental principles of Official Statistics declared by resolution 68/261 to ensure delivering of impartial and relevant data.
The world statistics is based on the UN Fundamental principles of Official Statistics declared by resolution 68/261 to ensure delivering of impartial and relevant data.
Principle 1
Relevance, Impartiality, and Equal Access
Principle 2
Professional Standards, Scientific Principles, and Professional Ethics
Principle 3
Accountability and Transparency
Principle 4
Prevention of Misuse
Principle 5
Sources of Official Statistics
Principle 6
Confidentiality
Principle 7
Legislation
Principle 8
National Coordination
Principle 9
Use of International Standard
Principle 10
International Cooperation
The growing demand for data and focus on official statistics resulted in declaring 20 October as the World Statistics Day by the UN General Assembly resolution 64/267 in June 2010.
Since 2015, World Statistics Day has been celebrated every five years.
Since 2015, World Statistics Day has been celebrated every five years.
History of World Statistics Day
2010
2010
Statisticians from all over the world celebrated their professional holiday for the first time in 2010 under the theme "Service. Professionalism. Integrity".
2015
2015
On 3 June 2015 the UN General Assembly officially designated 20 October 2015 as the second World Statistics Day under the theme "Better data, better lives". The resolution also noted the importance of statistics as well as celebration for countries.
2020
2020
The third World Statistics Day was celebrated under the theme "Connecting the world with data we can trust". This theme reflects the importance of reliable data, innovation and the public good in national statistical systems.
2025
2025
The theme of the fourth World Statistics Day "Quality statistics and data for everyone" reflects the importance of trusted data in the world today.
World Statistics Day is an occasion marked once every five years to spotlight the vital role of statistics in helping to address the challenges of our time.
The Sustainable Development Goals have helped transform statistical systems and increase the availability of data. In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, statistical systems proved their resilience, delivering the data that guided life-saving decisions as well as social and economic recovery.
As we confront increasingly inter-connected global challenges – from climate change to rising inequalities – timely, accurate, disaggregated, and independent data has never been more essential.
This year’s observance reaffirms our commitment to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics: impartiality, professionalism, and commitment to scientific principles and professional ethics. Citizens everywhere deserve trustworthy data to inform public policy and strengthen accountability.
Let us use this day to champion the power of data in advancing sustainable development for all.
Dear colleagues, dear friends!
On behalf of the Federal State Statistics Service and myself, I congratulate you on the World Statistics Day!
In today's world, where numbers are the universal language of international communication, statistics plays a significant role.
Statistics brings together countries, cultures, and economies, providing us an opportunity to speak the same language — the language of accurate data and verified facts.
The main goal of this event is to strengthen the authority of statistics as a fundamental science and increase its importance for decision-making.
We aspire to ensure an access to high-quality, reliable, and understandable data for every user — from government agencies to citizens.
World Statistics Day is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of international partnership. We pay special attention on cooperation with international organizations engaging in the work of the UN, BRICS, the CIS Statistical Committee, and collaborating with national statistical offices to ensure data comparability and jointly respond to global challenges.
Through the hard work and talent of statisticians, numbers are no longer to be pointless figures and take on meaning, tell stories, and help us make informed decisions.
On behalf of the Federal State Statistics Service and myself, I congratulate you on the World Statistics Day!
In today's world, where numbers are the universal language of international communication, statistics plays a significant role.
Statistics brings together countries, cultures, and economies, providing us an opportunity to speak the same language — the language of accurate data and verified facts.
The main goal of this event is to strengthen the authority of statistics as a fundamental science and increase its importance for decision-making.
We aspire to ensure an access to high-quality, reliable, and understandable data for every user — from government agencies to citizens.
World Statistics Day is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of international partnership. We pay special attention on cooperation with international organizations engaging in the work of the UN, BRICS, the CIS Statistical Committee, and collaborating with national statistical offices to ensure data comparability and jointly respond to global challenges.
Through the hard work and talent of statisticians, numbers are no longer to be pointless figures and take on meaning, tell stories, and help us make informed decisions.
Happy World Statistics Day!
Happy World Statistics Day—a day that highlights the importance of statistics!
Russian experts closely collaborate with the leading international organizations such as the UN, participate in the development of universal standards and share their best practices. This cooperation improves the quality and reliability of our data, making Russian statistics competitive and globally respected.
Today, statistics is no longer an exclusively professional discipline. Due to the Rosstat projects such as "Understanding Statistics," complex information has become accessible and understandable to everyone. The annual "Statistical Dictation" has become an effective tool for improving statistical literacy among the population. Digital platforms and interactive visualizations make statistics a part of our everyday lives. They help us navigate the flow of information, make informed decisions, and understand the world around us.
This strengthens trust in official statistics, which is becoming a universal language of communication between government, business, and society.
I express my gratitude to the older generation of employees of the Russian statistics, the guardians of wisdom and life experience.
Through your participation, the Russian statistical service has been established and continues to develop remaining a reliable support for the state.
I thank all the employees of Rosstat and other national statistical offices for their professionalism, responsibility, and dedication. Your work creates a fair picture of reality, helps us make the right decisions, and improves people's quality of life.
Russian experts closely collaborate with the leading international organizations such as the UN, participate in the development of universal standards and share their best practices. This cooperation improves the quality and reliability of our data, making Russian statistics competitive and globally respected.
Today, statistics is no longer an exclusively professional discipline. Due to the Rosstat projects such as "Understanding Statistics," complex information has become accessible and understandable to everyone. The annual "Statistical Dictation" has become an effective tool for improving statistical literacy among the population. Digital platforms and interactive visualizations make statistics a part of our everyday lives. They help us navigate the flow of information, make informed decisions, and understand the world around us.
This strengthens trust in official statistics, which is becoming a universal language of communication between government, business, and society.
I express my gratitude to the older generation of employees of the Russian statistics, the guardians of wisdom and life experience.
Through your participation, the Russian statistical service has been established and continues to develop remaining a reliable support for the state.
I thank all the employees of Rosstat and other national statistical offices for their professionalism, responsibility, and dedication. Your work creates a fair picture of reality, helps us make the right decisions, and improves people's quality of life.
I wish you further success, good health, and prosperity!
Once every five years the world is celebrating the World Statistics Day, offering a special opportunity to recognize both the importance of official statistics, and the people behind the numbers — the statisticians who work with dedication and integrity to produce high-quality statistics, people using those data for evidence-based decisions and for tracking the progress in our societies.
Today, official statistics operate in a rapidly changing environment: societies and economies are evolving, technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and new data sources and user expectations are reshaping statisticians’ work. These changes present both challenges and exciting opportunities for innovation.
World Statistics Day is also a day to reflect on how we can continue to ensure the quality, and maintain the trust in official statistics, while embracing new methods and tools, measuring new phenomena and providing statistics to our traditional and new users. It is a reminder of our shared commitment to quality and continuous improvement — so that the information produced by national statistical offices reflects reality as accurately as possible and helps making the world a better place.
Today, official statistics operate in a rapidly changing environment: societies and economies are evolving, technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and new data sources and user expectations are reshaping statisticians’ work. These changes present both challenges and exciting opportunities for innovation.
World Statistics Day is also a day to reflect on how we can continue to ensure the quality, and maintain the trust in official statistics, while embracing new methods and tools, measuring new phenomena and providing statistics to our traditional and new users. It is a reminder of our shared commitment to quality and continuous improvement — so that the information produced by national statistical offices reflects reality as accurately as possible and helps making the world a better place.
Dear Chief Statisticians, dear colleagues,
I warmly invite you to join the global celebration of World Statistics Day on 20 October 2025. Celebrated every five years, this day recognizes the vital role of official statistics in informing decisions at all levels, from governments to individuals.
This year's theme, Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone, reflects our shared commitment to producing and sharing high quality, timely and trusted data. At the heart of this mission are the National Statistical Offices. You are the backbone of our statistical systems, upholding professional standards, ensuring data quality and delivering evidence that informs national and global action.
You translate complex realities into meaningful numbers, provide continuity amid change and safeguard the integrity of data. Since the endorsement of the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics by the UN General Assembly in 2014, our community has made great strides in upholding relevance, impartiality, scientific rigor and transparency.
Two major global frameworks, both adopted earlier this year by the Statistical Commission, reflect our continuing journey. The first is the 2025 System of National Accounts, updated to reflect the realities of globalization and digitalization, ensuring comparability and relevance in economic statistics. The second is the 2030 World Population and Housing Census Program, which will yield essential, disaggregated data for policy, planning, and the monitoring of well-being.
I thank all national statistical offices, regional and international partners, as well as users, for contributing to World Statistics Day.
Let us use this occasion to reaffirm our collective mission, delivering high-quality statistics to serve everyone, everywhere. Thank you.
I warmly invite you to join the global celebration of World Statistics Day on 20 October 2025. Celebrated every five years, this day recognizes the vital role of official statistics in informing decisions at all levels, from governments to individuals.
This year's theme, Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone, reflects our shared commitment to producing and sharing high quality, timely and trusted data. At the heart of this mission are the National Statistical Offices. You are the backbone of our statistical systems, upholding professional standards, ensuring data quality and delivering evidence that informs national and global action.
You translate complex realities into meaningful numbers, provide continuity amid change and safeguard the integrity of data. Since the endorsement of the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics by the UN General Assembly in 2014, our community has made great strides in upholding relevance, impartiality, scientific rigor and transparency.
Two major global frameworks, both adopted earlier this year by the Statistical Commission, reflect our continuing journey. The first is the 2025 System of National Accounts, updated to reflect the realities of globalization and digitalization, ensuring comparability and relevance in economic statistics. The second is the 2030 World Population and Housing Census Program, which will yield essential, disaggregated data for policy, planning, and the monitoring of well-being.
I thank all national statistical offices, regional and international partners, as well as users, for contributing to World Statistics Day.
Let us use this occasion to reaffirm our collective mission, delivering high-quality statistics to serve everyone, everywhere. Thank you.
In a world of rapid change, quality statistics are more than just numbers. They're the foundation of trust, transparency and inclusive development. Investing in quality statistics for everyone is an investment in a better future, one that ensures no one is left behind.
To meet growing demands, such as the need for granular real-time data, and to seize new opportunities like artificial intelligence, national statistical offices must remain agile and forward-looking. Achieving this requires as a whole-of-society approach, engaging all stakeholders from identifying key issues to disseminating meaningful information.
Today, let's celebrate the people, the systems, and the partnerships that make data matter, and let's continue working together to ensure statistics remain a powerful force for good.
Happy World Statistics Day.
To meet growing demands, such as the need for granular real-time data, and to seize new opportunities like artificial intelligence, national statistical offices must remain agile and forward-looking. Achieving this requires as a whole-of-society approach, engaging all stakeholders from identifying key issues to disseminating meaningful information.
Today, let's celebrate the people, the systems, and the partnerships that make data matter, and let's continue working together to ensure statistics remain a powerful force for good.
Happy World Statistics Day.
Interview with statisticians
The role of AI is increasingly growing in our daily and professional lives.
In this regard, we would like to ask a few questions to the National Statistical Offices and AI and compare the answers in order to understand how much we are thinking in the same direction.
In this regard, we would like to ask a few questions to the National Statistical Offices and AI and compare the answers in order to understand how much we are thinking in the same direction.
AI:
Statistics combines science and art. As a science, it relies on precise data analysis methods based on mathematics and probability theory. However, the process of results interpreting requires creativity and intuition to see hidden patterns and correctly evaluate relevant facts.
UAE:
Both a science and an art. Scientifically, statistics provides the methods for design, estimation, and inference. Artistically, it requires problem framing, sense-making under uncertainty, and clear communication to decision-makers.
Statistics combines science and art. As a science, it relies on precise data analysis methods based on mathematics and probability theory. However, the process of results interpreting requires creativity and intuition to see hidden patterns and correctly evaluate relevant facts.
UAE:
Both a science and an art. Scientifically, statistics provides the methods for design, estimation, and inference. Artistically, it requires problem framing, sense-making under uncertainty, and clear communication to decision-makers.
AI:
If I had to choose one word, it would be ‘pattern’.
The word ‘statistics’ is often associated simply with numbers and graphs. However, its true value and ultimate goal is not in the data itself, but in discovering hidden connections, trends and patterns.
South Africa:
“Data” or “Information”
Kyrgyzstan:
“Data”
If I had to choose one word, it would be ‘pattern’.
The word ‘statistics’ is often associated simply with numbers and graphs. However, its true value and ultimate goal is not in the data itself, but in discovering hidden connections, trends and patterns.
South Africa:
“Data” or “Information”
Kyrgyzstan:
“Data”
AI:
Statistics will continue to actively develop under the influence of technological, social and economic changes. The main trends and directions of development:
Brazil:
With the increasingly rapid development of computational power and artificial intelligence, the capacity for data collection, storage, and manipulation of large volumes of data, as well as the ability to run increasingly complex simulations, grows enormously, opening doors to testing new techniques.
Moreover, the interface between the statistician and the audience they want to communicate their findings to is gaining more and more resources.
Thus, the development of statistics will be increasingly linked to computing and artificial intelligence.
Statistics will continue to actively develop under the influence of technological, social and economic changes. The main trends and directions of development:
- integration with machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI);
- the Internet of Things (IoT);
- cloud technologies;
- causal inference;
- process automation;
- interactive visualizations.
Brazil:
With the increasingly rapid development of computational power and artificial intelligence, the capacity for data collection, storage, and manipulation of large volumes of data, as well as the ability to run increasingly complex simulations, grows enormously, opening doors to testing new techniques.
Moreover, the interface between the statistician and the audience they want to communicate their findings to is gaining more and more resources.
Thus, the development of statistics will be increasingly linked to computing and artificial intelligence.
AI:
A modern statistician is a specialist with a wide range of knowledge and skills adapted to the requirements of today’s science and business. The core skills are:
South Africa:
Integration of variuos dosciplines like ICT, Geography and Statistics etc.
Armenia:
A modern statistician is no longer a "person with a calculator and a spreadsheet," but a much more multifaceted specialist.
A modern statistician is a specialist with a wide range of knowledge and skills adapted to the requirements of today’s science and business. The core skills are:
- proficiency in advanced data analysis and statistical modelling; understanding of the principles of planning experiments and sample surveys;
- programming and working with big data;
- use of specialized tools: working with application packages (SPSS, SAS, Stata); use of modern platforms and libraries for data analysis (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-Learn);
- communication skills and teamwork;
- practical problem solving skills.
South Africa:
Integration of variuos dosciplines like ICT, Geography and Statistics etc.
Armenia:
A modern statistician is no longer a "person with a calculator and a spreadsheet," but a much more multifaceted specialist.
AI:
Artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly improve the efficiency of many aspects of statistical work, but it is unlikely to replace a specialist completely in the near future. AI can automate routine operations, analyze large amounts of data, predict and model, and optimize business processes. The reasons why statisticians stay indispensable are the skills of interpretation, conclusions and hypothesis making as well as goal setting, assessment of risks and uncertainties, ethical and legal issues.
Today’s reality shows that the combination of human experience and AI capabilities is the optimal strategy for successful development of professional activities in statistics. It is important to understand that AI complements human capabilities, freeing specialists from routine and allowing them to focus on the creative aspects of their work.
Brazil:
Artificial intelligence can help search for information about a problem, or assist in applying a statistical technique requiring complex calculations to a dataset, but only a statistician can evaluate whether the technique is suitable for the data and whether the answer is consistent with the research question and subject under study.
Furthermore, when making decisions under uncertainty, there is a subjective aspect that artificial intelligence cannot yet take into account.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly improve the efficiency of many aspects of statistical work, but it is unlikely to replace a specialist completely in the near future. AI can automate routine operations, analyze large amounts of data, predict and model, and optimize business processes. The reasons why statisticians stay indispensable are the skills of interpretation, conclusions and hypothesis making as well as goal setting, assessment of risks and uncertainties, ethical and legal issues.
Today’s reality shows that the combination of human experience and AI capabilities is the optimal strategy for successful development of professional activities in statistics. It is important to understand that AI complements human capabilities, freeing specialists from routine and allowing them to focus on the creative aspects of their work.
Brazil:
Artificial intelligence can help search for information about a problem, or assist in applying a statistical technique requiring complex calculations to a dataset, but only a statistician can evaluate whether the technique is suitable for the data and whether the answer is consistent with the research question and subject under study.
Furthermore, when making decisions under uncertainty, there is a subjective aspect that artificial intelligence cannot yet take into account.
AI:
Statistics attracts with its ability to reveal hidden truths and turn the chaotic flow of data into meaningful and useful conclusions. Several reasons why statistics deserve love:
Because, among the exact sciences, statistics is the discipline that can be most widely applied to solve everyday problems, and because a statistician can work alongside professionals from any field where data collection and/or analysis is needed to answer a question.
South Africa:
It’s about people and a miror to our Humanity
UAE:
It connects people’s realities to public choices turning observation into accountable action.
Armenia:
Statistics allows to work with numbers, find interesting patterns in them and turn them into analysis.
Kyrgyzstan
I love statistics for its accuracy, statistics know everything.
Statistics attracts with its ability to reveal hidden truths and turn the chaotic flow of data into meaningful and useful conclusions. Several reasons why statistics deserve love:
- clarity and simplicity
- ability to predict the future;
- scientific basis;
- versatility of use;
- exciting tasks;
- impact on society.
Because, among the exact sciences, statistics is the discipline that can be most widely applied to solve everyday problems, and because a statistician can work alongside professionals from any field where data collection and/or analysis is needed to answer a question.
South Africa:
It’s about people and a miror to our Humanity
UAE:
It connects people’s realities to public choices turning observation into accountable action.
Armenia:
Statistics allows to work with numbers, find interesting patterns in them and turn them into analysis.
Kyrgyzstan
I love statistics for its accuracy, statistics know everything.
AI:
Statistics, despite its importance, often evoke antipathy or fear. Reasons for disliking statistics: complexity, perception as boring and uninteresting discipline, fear of mathematics, lack of understanding of its practical use.
To make statistics attractive, we need to make it more accessible and understandable. Simplified explanations, real-life examples, interactive learning and an emphasis on practical use could help to change attitudes towards statistics and make it a favorite discipline for many people.
South Africa:
It is not timely and it sometimes reveals uncomfortable truths.
Armenia:
People don’t like statistics for being dry and difficult. They could like it if we show how numbers could tell real stories, using vivid visualizations and simple examples from everyday life.
Statistics, despite its importance, often evoke antipathy or fear. Reasons for disliking statistics: complexity, perception as boring and uninteresting discipline, fear of mathematics, lack of understanding of its practical use.
To make statistics attractive, we need to make it more accessible and understandable. Simplified explanations, real-life examples, interactive learning and an emphasis on practical use could help to change attitudes towards statistics and make it a favorite discipline for many people.
South Africa:
It is not timely and it sometimes reveals uncomfortable truths.
Armenia:
People don’t like statistics for being dry and difficult. They could like it if we show how numbers could tell real stories, using vivid visualizations and simple examples from everyday life.
AI:
The sooner you start to get acquainted with the basics of statistics, the better, because statistical thinking is useful in many areas of life and professional activity.
The main rule is to start when you feel the need to develop skills and not be afraid of difficulties!
Brazil:
Children can already learn the first statistical concepts as soon as they understand basic mathematical operations.
Armenia:
It is better to start studying statistics as early as possible, because it develops critical thinking, the ability to work with data and helps to make reasonable decisions. Such skills are useful in all areas of life.
The sooner you start to get acquainted with the basics of statistics, the better, because statistical thinking is useful in many areas of life and professional activity.
The main rule is to start when you feel the need to develop skills and not be afraid of difficulties!
Brazil:
Children can already learn the first statistical concepts as soon as they understand basic mathematical operations.
Armenia:
It is better to start studying statistics as early as possible, because it develops critical thinking, the ability to work with data and helps to make reasonable decisions. Such skills are useful in all areas of life.
AI:
No, more data does not always guarantee a better understanding of the situation. More data is potentially good, but only if the data are qualitative, representative and you have skills to analyze it correctly. Otherwise, the increasing amount of data may lead to false conclusions and worse understanding. It is worth to remember that data quality is more important than quantity.
Brazil:
More data available does not always mean better understanding. First, it is necessary to analyze the quality of the data. Second, it is essential to know the best way to use them, which correct methodology to apply, and how to interpret the results, in order to reach good answers to the problem under study.
Armenia:
No, not always: a huge amount of data without quality and structure could be misleading and difficult to analyze. In the meantime a small, carefully selected and accurate dataset often gives a clearer and more reliable picture.
No, more data does not always guarantee a better understanding of the situation. More data is potentially good, but only if the data are qualitative, representative and you have skills to analyze it correctly. Otherwise, the increasing amount of data may lead to false conclusions and worse understanding. It is worth to remember that data quality is more important than quantity.
Brazil:
More data available does not always mean better understanding. First, it is necessary to analyze the quality of the data. Second, it is essential to know the best way to use them, which correct methodology to apply, and how to interpret the results, in order to reach good answers to the problem under study.
Armenia:
No, not always: a huge amount of data without quality and structure could be misleading and difficult to analyze. In the meantime a small, carefully selected and accurate dataset often gives a clearer and more reliable picture.
History of World Statistics
In 1746 the German scientist Gottfried Achenwall proposed to replace the title of the course "Science of State" by "Statistics". This is how the science of "statistics" was born. The word "statistics" originates from the Latin "status" which means a state of affairs.
The first statistical service in Russia was established in 1811 and became one of the first statistical offices in the world.
Dates of NSOs establishment
History of the Russian statistics
Strategy for development of the National Statistical system and Rosstat until 2030
The Strategy defines the priorities of the national policy in official statistics until 2030.
The goal is to fully meet the needs of users with official statistics.
Portrait of a modern statistician
In the past the word "statista" was used for statesmen. Following renaming of "Science of State" into "Statistics" a person who collects, processes, analyzes and provides statistical information has been called a statistician.
What is a portrait of a modern statistician in Russia, how many people work in Rosstat, who mostly choose a career of a statistician - men or women?
Scroll down to learn more!
Scroll down to learn more!
Satisfaction of international organizations and national statistical services with the Rosstat’s performance
Every year we conduct a survey of user satisfaction with official statistics provided by Rosstat and its regional offices, as well as with Rosstat's overall performance. The survey results show a steady increase in satisfaction level. We continue to work on improving the quality and accessibility of official statistics for all users, focusing on the Strategy's goals.
