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World Statistics Day

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:10

20.10.2010 marked the first World Statistics Day as declared by the United Nations.

In acknowledging the importance of statistics in a society, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that statistics are a vital tool for economic and social development.

Agreeing with the UN, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said that quality statistics is a prerequisite to good planning that will meet the needs of the society to provide a better life to its citizens.

“Today we celebrate service, integrity, and professionalism in the fields of official statistics,” said Statistician General Pali Lehohla.

The statistician general emphasised the UN’s view that statistics permeate modern life and that they are the basis for many governmental business community decisions.

“They provide information and insight about the trends and forces that affect people’s lives,” said Lehohla.

Globally the trend is to move towards evidence base policy because without good statistics, it will become impossible for government or business to make informed decisions.

Currently Stats SA produces about 10 percent of the statistics necessary to measure performance, levels of success and planning.

The statistical body in the next five years plans to ensure that all statistics that are needed are produced and are of a quality that is fit for use. BuaNews