OPEN DATA
we are development data experts
promoting data openness
and completeness
Open Data Watch co-hosted or spoke at a number of sessions during the 2023 UN World Data Forum in Hangzhou, China. The events covered a broad range of topics — Data & Misinformation, Data in the Care Economy, Data Graveyards, Gender Data, and Data for the Public Good and Achieving SDGs.
In a time of multiple, intersecting global challenges, quality and timely data is more important than ever. The just-released ODIN 2022-23 Open Data Inventory Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the state of open data in 192 countries worldwide.
OUR WORK
Open Data Watch is an international, non-profit organization working at the intersection of open data and official statistics. Our work supports the implementation of change in the production and management of official statistical data. Concentrating efforts in three areas — policy advice, data support, and monitoring — ODW seeks to make development data better and more accessible for increased use and impact.
An example of the interaction between these workstreams, 
the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) provides in-depth assessments of data coverage and openness that countries actively use to identify and address data gaps. The ODIN Gender Data Index, for instance, checks for data needed to address gender issues. Only with high-quality and open data can international organizations, governments, and citizens solve the challenges of measuring and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WHAT’S NEW?
UNWDF: Advancing Data Use and Overcoming Data Graveyards
As our rate of data production grows exponentially, gaining insight into the needs of users of official statistics is key for countries and was a hot topic in World Data Forum discussions on data graveyards and institutional barriers to effective data use
Open Data Matters: Getting Back to Basics
Official statistics face many challenges, but let’s not forget the basics. Open data is one that provides a foundation to ensure data are available for all to use and reuse. It cuts across the whole data value chain, from transparent methodologies to tracking data uptake and use.
Mexico Expands Data Use with Improved Governance and User Engagement
This case study looks at how laws granting autonomy to the statistical office have helped significantly advance data use in Mexico through better management and active engagement with data users.