World Statistics Day

World Statistics Day History

World Statistics Day is an international observance designed to highlight the crucial role statistics play in shaping our societies. Instituted by the United Nations (UN), the day aims to garner awareness about the importance and trustworthiness of official statistics in decision making and evidence-based policy formulation. It is a day that underscores the essential nature of data in making informed choices, shedding light on social issues, formulating government policies, and facilitating development projects.

Originally proposed and established in 2010 by the United Nations Statistical Commission, World Statistics Day has gained popularity globally, including in India, where statistics have a special resonance. With roughly 1.3 billion people, India is a country with historical importance in the field of statistics. India's pioneering statistician, P.C. Mahalanobis, is globally recognized as a significant contributor to the design of large scale sample surveys. On a local level, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) are key organizations that collect and analyze a wide range of data, greatly influencing policymaking in India.

In India, World Statistics Day is marked by a range of events aimed at promoting the understanding of statistics. Various institutions, including educational establishments and government departments, hold workshops, seminars, and competitions to raise awareness about the relevance of statistics. These activities emphasize the value of reliable data in providing insights on issues such as population growth, economic trends, and health updates. While the global observance is celebrated every five years with the recent one held on October 20, 2020, in India, Statistics Day is nationally observed annually on June 29, paying tribute to the birth anniversary of P.C. Mahalanobis.

Facts about World Statistics Day

• The theme for World Statistics Day in 2020 was Connecting the world with data we can trust. The next time World Statistics Day is celebrated will be in 2025.
• It was not until the 19th century that statistics began to include all things related to collection, summary and analysis of data. Before the 19th century, data was mainly used to total resources, typically for military and tax purposes around the world.
• India uses satellite imagery for statistical purposes, such as estimating crop acreage and predicting crop yields.
• India is set to surpass China as the world's most populous country by 2027, according to the United Nations.

In the News and Trending in India for World Statistics Day

Top things to do in India for World Statistics Day

• Spread awareness about the holiday by using the hashtag #WorldStatisticsDay #StatsMatter or #TruthinStats