Questions & Answers

What is National Statistics Data?

National Statistics provides relevant, timely and usable data that is essential for countries to set priorities, make informed choices and implement better policies for sustainable development. National statistical systems are the core of a larger, emerging data ecosystem. National statistical systems are ensembles of statistical organisations and units within a country that collect, process and disseminate "official statistics".

Who uses National Statistics Data? What are some use cases?

National statistics explore the opportunities, enablers and challenges countries face in using big data and other new sources of data. It helps to understand developing country capacity, gaps and strategies for putting in place the right resources and solve inequity problems.

What are typical National Statistics Data attributes?

How is National Statistics Data typically collected?

National statistical systems are ensembles of statistical organisations and units within a country that collect, process and disseminate "official statistics". Official statistics are derived from data produced by public bodies as part of their official function; they provide a record of the social, economic and environmental condition of the country. Governance of a national statistical system is determined by law and is regulated by adherence to professional standards.

There are other organizations besides the official statistics offices to collect and produce national statistics data:

• Official Statistics Data Communities
• Private Sector and Big Data Communities
• Scientific Data Communities
• Civil Society and Citizen-Based Data Communities

Combining traditional and unconventional data sources can fill statistical gaps.

What are the common challenges when buying National Statistics Data?

Most of the challenges for national statistics are about the quality and completeness when it comes to comparing different countries around the world.

• The 2010 Population Census Round, conducted between 2005 and 2014, was one of the great successes of national and international statistical efforts. Only 21 countries did not conduct a census (UNFPA, 2016a). An estimated 6.4 billion people (93% of the world's population) were enumerated (UNFPA, 2016b)
• 44% of countries worldwide do not have comprehensive birth and death registration data
• Only 13% of countries worldwide have a dedicated budget for gender statistics
• No data exist for two thirds of Sustainable Development Goal indicators

New technology makes it easier, faster and cheaper to produce better data for policy making

Poverty and Inequality

• Poverty
• Prosperity
• Consumption
• Income Distribution

People

• Population dynamics
• Demographics
• Education
• Labor
• Health
• Gender

Environment

• Agriculture
• Climate Change
• Energy
• Biodiversity
• Water
• Sanitation

Economy

• Growth
• Economic Structure
• Income and Savings
• Trade
• Labor Productivity

States and Markets

• Business
• Stock Markets
• Military
• Communications
• Transport
• Technology

Global

• Debt
• Trade
• Aid Dependency
• Refugee
• Tourism
• Migration

What are the common challenges when buying National Statistics Data?

1. Is the data relevant to my use case?
2. How timely is the data and what is the frequency of updates?
3. How far back does the data history go?
4. How complete is the data?
5. What are the quality processes of collection?
6. What are the original data sources?
7. What are the choices in data delivery methods?
8. How is the data priced?
9. What are the service level agreement (SLA) terms for support and issue resolution?