Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

The Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly on 29 January 2014, establish a framework to ensure the quality of official statistics. The principles guide national statistical agencies and promote trust in official statistics, supporting democratic societies, policymaking, and sustainable development.

The Ten Principles Summarised

1. Indispensable Information for Society

Official statistics are essential for the functioning of a democratic society, providing governments, economies, and the public with accurate statistics on economic, demographic, social, and environmental conditions. These statistics must be:

• Useful

• Impartial

• Accessible

This ensures citizens’ right to public information.

2. Professional Independence

To maintain public trust, statistical agencies must operate with complete professional independence. Decisions on:

• Methods

• Procedures

• Data Presentation

It must be based on scientific principles and ethical standards.

3. Scientific Standards and Transparency

Statistical agencies must ensure data is interpreted correctly by presenting:

• Sources

• Methods

• Procedures

Following scientific standards.

4. Addressing Misuse

Statistical agencies have the right to:

• Comment publicly on misinterpretations

• Correct misuse of statistics

This ensures the integrity and proper use of statistics.

5. Diverse Data Sources

Data for official statistics can come from:

• Surveys

• Administrative Records

Agencies should choose sources based on the following:

• Quality

• Timeliness

• Cost

• Respondent Burden

6. Confidentiality

Individual data collected by statistical agencies must remain:

• Strictly confidential

• Used exclusively for statistical purposes

Protecting confidentiality builds public confidence in data collection.

7. Public Legal Framework

The laws, regulations, and procedures governing statistical systems should be:

• Publicly accessible

Transparency in governance ensures accountability.

8. Coordination within Statistical Systems

Effective coordination among national statistical agencies is vital for:

• Consistency

• Efficiency

This strengthens the national statistical system.

9. Use of International Standards

Using international concepts, classifications, and methods promotes:

• Consistency

• Efficiency

at national and international levels.

10. International Cooperation

Bilateral and multilateral cooperation enhances the development of:

• Statistical systems

• Capacity building

across all countries, fostering global statistical quality.

These principles underscore the importance of trustworthy, high-quality official statistics for informed decision-making, transparency, and democratic governance. By adhering to these principles, statistical agencies ensure that their statistics serve the public good and meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.

Source: United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/261 (2014)

See also the

• Principles Governing International Statistical Activities (UNSD)

• Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice (American Statistical Association)

• the first six principles of the Code of Practice (Eurostat)

• Declaration on Professional Ethics (ISI)

This page was updated in January 2025.