Page 305 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 2

STS496 Roeland B.
With the rise of democratic state systems and, more recently, a stronger
consumer perspective on the relationship between state and citizen, statistics
themselves have also become more democratic. Figures are not only
important for those holding a position of power, but for every element of a
democratic system. Throughout time, statistics have evolved from a tool of
government to a public good for society as a whole.
Today, the principle of official statistics being a public good is strongly
endorsed by the international community at large. The United Nations, in their
Fundamental Principles of Official statistics, state (United Nations,
2014):“Official statistics provide an indispensable element in the information
system of a democratic society, serving the Government, the economy and the
public with data about the economic, demographic, social and environmental
situation. To this end, official statistics that meet the test of practical utility are
to be compiled and made available on an impartial basis by official statistical
agencies to honour citizens’ entitlement to public information.”
For Statistics Flanders the principle of official statistics being a public good
is the first of the four strategic principles underpinning its work (Beerten,
2017): “Official statistics serve society as a whole. That is why we not only take
into account the government’s needs for statistical information, but also the
needs of Flemish society at large. Although we are part of the Flemish
Government, official statistics should be relevant and accessible to the
broadest possible range of users: official statistics are a public good.
Government policy should certainly indicate priorities, but it is not exclusively
up to the government to determine which statistics should be developed,
produced and published.”

2. Conditions for an official statistics system to contribute to
strengthening democracy
Any official statistics system is part of the machinery of government, and
thus interacts with it, and depends on it. So which are the conditions to ensure
that the official statistics system is able to produce numbers which meet the
public good? The first chapter of the European Code of Practice gives a
description of the institutional context and its conditions in which official
statistics systems should operate (Eurostat 2017):
 Professional independence
 Coordination and cooperation
 Mandate for data collection and access to data
 Adequate resources
 Commitment to Quality
 Confidentiality
 Impartiality and objectivity

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