10 principles guided official statistics through huge change in the 1990s and still guide them now
What is it about?
The Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics are ten simple rules created by the top statisticians of the UN's European region in response to the dramatic political, social and economic changes of the early 1990s. Offices that produced official statistics in the former Eastern Bloc found their roles radically changed and needed a common code to define and guide their new mission. This paper examines how the principles went from filling this specific need to becoming a global standard that now guides and motivates official statisticians across the world. The paper offers simple real-life explanations of each principle and asks what role the principles now play, 30 years after they were formulated.
Why is it important?
The paper was written as part of the 30th anniversary year activities organized by UNECE, the region of the United Nations in which the principles were first developed. Wishing to do more than simply mark an anniversary by looking back at the past, the authors of the paper wanted to prompt real reflection on whether and how the principles are still relevant and needed.