Data Systems at a Crossroads
Contributing to research and global dialogue on the challenges facing official statistics and the changes needed to build stronger, more resilient data systems.
About the Program
Official statistics provide the foundation for informed decisions, accountable governance, and sustainable development. Governments use them to allocate resources. Citizens use them to hold power to account. International organizations use them to track global goals. But statistical systems under serious pressures. Budget cuts threaten their resources, while political pressure can undermine their independence. Artificial intelligence and misinformation are changing how information is produced. At the same time, expectations for more timely and inclusive data continue to grow.
These pressures amplify long-standing weaknesses in technical capacity, public trust, and the use of statistics. Together, they threaten the relevance, credibility, and sustainability of national statistical systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Yet this crisis also creates an opportunity to rethink how data systems are designed, governed, and used to meet society’s needs. Finding a way forward requires a deeper understanding of the challenges and the choices facing countries. Through Data Systems at a Crossroads, Open Data Watch (ODW) and PARIS21 bring research and international perspectives together to guide these decisions.
The project began in March 2026 with a discussion at the UN Statistical Commission. The event brought together national statisticians, international organizations, and development partners to explore how to protect and strengthen official statistics. This was followed by the publication of Official Statistics for a New Era, a working paper that examines different paths for statistical systems. Rather than proposing a single solution, the paper explores the risks and trade-offs of each approach. Building on this foundation, ODW and PARIS21 continue to produce research and policy guidance to help countries and partners make informed decisions about the future of official statistics.
What We Do
Research & Evidence
ODW and PARIS21 examine the pressures facing official statistical systems. Their research explores financing challenges, governance, public trust, and the effects of artificial intelligence and misinformation on statistics. This evidence helps countries understand the risks facing their data systems and assess different approaches to protecting their independence, quality, and long-term sustainability.
Convening & Dialogue
ODW and PARIS21 bring together national statisticians, policymakers, international organizations, and civil society to discuss the future of official statistics. Through international events and briefings, they create opportunities to share perspectives, examine difficult choices, and explore solutions. These discussions build a shared understanding of the challenges and possible paths forward.
Policy Engagement
ODW and PARIS21 translate their research into practical policy guidance. Through policy briefs and engagement with stakeholders, they examine specific challenges facing statistical systems and highlight areas where decisions are most urgent. This work helps governments and development partners understand their options, weigh trade-offs, and identify priorities for strengthening official statistics.
