The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), formerly the United Nations Statistical Office, serves under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) as the central mechanism within the Secretariat of the United Nations to supply the statistical needs and coordinating activities of the global statistical system. The Division is overseen by the United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, as the apex entity of the global statistical system and highest decision making body for coordinating international statistical activities. It brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
The Division compiles and disseminates global statistical information, develops standards and norms for statistical activities, and supports countries' efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems.
The Division regularly publishes data updates, including the Statistical Yearbook and World Statistics Pocketbook, and books and reports on statistics and statistical methods. Many of the Division's databases are also available at its site (See below), as electronic publications and data files in the form of CD-ROMs, diskettes and magnetic tapes, or as printed publications. UNdata, a new internet-based data service for the global user community brings UN statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point. Users can search and download a variety of statistical resources of the UN system.
Directors Including acting directors:
Name Nationality TermShantanu Mukherjee (acting)1 September 2025 – presentRonald Jansen (acting)1 July – 31 August 2025Stefan Schweinfest1 July 2014 – 30 June 2025Stefan Schweinfest (acting)April 2013 – 30 June 2014Paul Cheung2004–2012Willem de Vries (acting)2002–2004Hermann Habermann1994–2002William Seltzer1986–1994Yoshimasa Kurabayashi1982–1986Svein Nordbotten1979–1982Simon Goldberg1972–1979Patrick J. Loftus 1962–1972William R. Leonard1948–1962Harry Campion1947
Topics Economy Industry Statistics Energy Statistics Trade Statistics ... Environment Environment Statistics ... Development Indicators Sustainable Development Goal indicators ...
PET Lab UNSD leads the Privacy-Enhancing Technologies Lab (PET Lab), which in turn drives TrustworthyAI together with ITU.
See also
Classification of the Functions of Government International Standard Industrial Classification UN M49 United Nations geoscheme List of national and international statistical services Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities United Nations United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names
References
External links
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs United Nations Economic and social development United Nations Statistical Commission UNdata UN Comtrade