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No statistics, no deal
ISI Statement World Statistics Day 2025: No Statistics, No Deal
17 October 2025, the Netherlands
Statistics are more than numbers; statistics are society’s mirror. Without reliable statistics, democracy falters, markets waver, and citizens lose the means to hold power to account. Reliable figures on growth, jobs, inflation, health, environment and education allow people to judge for themselves, based on impartial evidence rather than political spin. When statistics
vanish, speculation fills the gap — and trust disappears.
Statistics underpin international scientific cooperation in fields ranging from vaccine innovation to climate research and sustainable development by providing accessible and shared sources of evidence. When their integrity is undermined, mistrust can spread across borders. An attack on statistics and science in one country can quickly become a political export, replicated elsewhere by actors with similar objectives.
In an era of rapid technological change and global challenges, integrity throughout the knowledge chain — from raw data to decisions — is paramount. Professional ethics, accurate data collection, rigorous analysis and transparent communication build the trust needed for decisions based on reality rather than assumption. A strong data culture ensures that statistics
drive progress, equity and accountable governance.
World Statistics Day serves as a global reminder of the vital role that statistics play in fostering informed, equitable, and sustainable societies. On this day, the global community is called upon to:
- uphold the independence of statistical agencies, free from political interference;
- promote transparency and accessibility of statistical processes and results for all stakeholders;
- invest in statistical literacy to empower citizens, policymakers and researchers to interpret and utilise data effectively;
- support international cooperation in statistical standards to enhance the comparability and reliability of global data.
The day also serves to recognise the essential contribution of statistics to human welfare and to reaffirm our commitment to evidence-based decision-making.
The International Statistical Institute (ISI) represents the global statistical community. It is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and independence. This statement emphasises the ISI's commitment to promoting evidence-based policymaking and safeguarding statistical agencies, and to fostering a global data culture for the public good. Alongside our members, partners and the wider statistical community, we promote transparency, professionalism and accessibility in statistics, ensuring they remain a foundation of trust and progress for everyone.
#WorldStatisticsDay #DataForDevelopment #EvidenceForAll #TrustInData