Country Practices on National Official Statistics

A key responsibility of the United Nations Statistics Division is to assist countries in the development of their national statistical system. We actively promote the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics which were adopted by the Statistical Commission in 1994. We provide direct assistance in the implementation of the Fundamental Principles and compile best practices. We facilitate the sharing of knowledge and practices in all aspects of the development of national statistical systems.

Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

The United Nations Statistical Commission, in its Special Session of 11-15 April 1994, adopted the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, earlier set out in the Economic Commission for Europe's Decision C (47), but incorporating a revised preamble.
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Global Review of the Implementation of the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

The United Nations Statistical Commission, at its session in March 2003, asked the United Nations Statistics Division to conduct a global review of the implementation of the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and to prepare a report to be discussed at the Commission's next session in March 2004. In this context UNSD had developed a questionnaire, allowing national statistical offices to report their experiences with the Fundamental Pinciples in a uniform way. By 30 November 2003 the Division had received responses from 112 countries, which formed the basis of the report.
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Good Practices Database

The Good Practices Database, established in 2000, provides reference material from countries on the 10 Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, in particular examples of policies and practices in various national statistical systems for implementing the Principles.
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