United Nations Statistics Division

3 key takeaways

• The UN Statistics Division collects and disseminates global statistical data to support economic and social development.
• It provides international standards and guidelines for statistical activities and capacity building in member countries.
• The UNSD coordinates global statistical efforts and promotes the use of data for evidence-based policy making.

What is the UN Statistics Division?

The UN Statistics Division (UNSD) is a specialized division within the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Its primary role is to compile and disseminate global statistical information to facilitate economic and social development worldwide. The UNSD works to ensure that member countries have the statistical tools and capacity needed to make informed decisions and develop effective policies.

The division plays a crucial role in setting international standards and guidelines for statistical activities, helping to harmonize and improve the quality of data collected across different countries. By promoting the use of reliable and timely data, the UNSD aims to support sustainable development goals and enhance the effectiveness of development programs.

Functions of the UN Statistics Division

The UNSD performs several key functions to support global statistical activities:

• Data collection and dissemination: The UNSD collects a wide range of statistical data from member countries, including economic, social, demographic, and environmental statistics. This data is then processed and made available to the public through various publications and databases.
• Standard setting: The division develops international statistical standards and guidelines to ensure consistency and comparability of data across countries. This includes methodologies for data collection, processing, and reporting.
• Capacity building: The UNSD provides technical assistance and training to member countries to enhance their statistical capabilities. This includes workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects aimed at improving national statistical systems.
• Coordination of global statistical efforts: The division works with international organizations, national statistical offices, and other stakeholders to coordinate statistical activities and promote the use of data for policy making. This involves leading global initiatives and supporting the implementation of international statistical frameworks.

Key initiatives and programs

The UN Statistics Division is involved in several major initiatives and programs, including:

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The UNSD plays a vital role in monitoring and reporting on the progress of the SDGs by providing the necessary statistical data and indicators. It helps countries develop the capacity to collect and use data for tracking their progress toward these goals.
• International Comparison Program (ICP): The ICP is a global statistical initiative that produces purchasing power parities (PPPs) and comparative price level indices. The UNSD coordinates the program’s implementation, ensuring that reliable and comparable data is available for economic analysis.
• Global Geospatial Information Management (GGIM): The UNSD supports the integration of geospatial and statistical information to enhance data-driven decision-making. The GGIM initiative aims to promote the use of geospatial data for sustainable development and disaster risk management.

Importance of the UN Statistics Division

The UNSD’s work is crucial for several reasons:

• Informed policy making: By providing accurate and timely data, the UNSD helps governments and organizations make evidence-based decisions that can improve economic and social outcomes.
• Global comparability: The division’s efforts to standardize statistical practices ensure that data from different countries is comparable, facilitating international cooperation and benchmarking.
• Capacity enhancement: Through its capacity-building programs, the UNSD helps countries develop robust statistical systems, enabling them to collect, analyze, and use data effectively.

Understanding the role and functions of the UN Statistics Division is essential for appreciating the importance of global statistical systems in promoting development and informed decision-making. For further exploration, topics such as international statistical standards, data-driven policy making, and sustainable development indicators provide deeper insights into the contributions of the UNSD.