The Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21) has published a discussion paper, which examines the evolution of data and statistics since the inception of the SDGs. It explores the impact global development agendas have on the production of data and statistics and identifies areas to accelerate progress.
Titled, ‘How the SDGs Increased Data Production and What This Means for Policy Making,’ the paper analyzes cross-country and regional trends to identify key areas where data production needs to be improved. The report highlights the importance of strategic partnerships, targeted efforts, strong national statistical offices (NSOs), and sustained investment in statistics to fill data gaps and achieve the SDGs while leaving no one behind.
The report finds that while global SDG data production is rising, climate and gender indicators remain neglected. It calls for strengthening NSOs through advocacy and support to ramp up data production in these areas. Strong NSOs, it argues, have the technical expertise and infrastructure necessary to navigate the complexities of SDG data collection. When well-funded and well-trained, the paper underscores, NSOs can become strong advocates for data-driven policy.
The paper further finds that it is not gross domestic product (GDP) that defines data production potential. It argues that achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires investing in NSOs and creating the political will to do so. According to the report, the Fourth Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) in June presents an opportunity to raise awareness of this need at both the country and international level.
While the paper acknowledges that unequal resourcing of statistical ecosystems impedes measuring SDG progress, it also points to the increasing demand for more and better data to support the 2030 Agenda and its mission to leave no one behind. It underscores the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, digitalization, and training on novel data production techniques in driving the transformation of data and statistical ecosystems that benefit decision makers and citizens alike.
PARIS21 works to improve statistical systems in least developed countries (LDCs), low-income countries (LICs), fragile economies, and small island developing States (SIDS) to deliver quality data and statistics for sustainable development. [Publication: How the SDGs Increased Data Production and What This Means for Policy Making] [Publication Landing Page]
