The World Statics Day is an international day to celebrate statistics. Created by the United Nations Statistical Commission, it was first observed on October 20, 2010. The day is celebrated every five years.
What's more fascinating is that the date of the celebration differs in every country depending on their statistical significance and history. As of 2010, 103 countries observe a national statistics day, including 51 African countries that celebrate African statistics day on November 18.
India observes Statistics Day on June 29, the birthday of statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. Furthermore, on the same day, October 20, 2010, the Royal Statistical Society in the UK also began its get stats campaign to teach people about statistics.
Recently, the UNSD has unveiled the World Statistics Pocketbook 2024 edition (Series V, No. 48), which is the forty-eighth in a series of annual compilations of key statistical indicators prepared by the United Nations Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Up to 50 indicators from more than 20 international statistical sources are presented in one-page profiles for 30 world geographical regions and over 200 countries or areas of the world.
What is the United Nations Statistics Division?
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), formerly known as the United Nations Statistical Office, operates under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). It focuses on collecting and sharing important data about various topics worldwide. Here’s a simple breakdown of what it does:
Main Roles of UNSD
- Collecting Data: UNSD gathers statistics on many subjects, including population, economy, environment, and trade. This helps countries understand trends and make informed decisions.
- Setting Standards: The division creates guidelines for how to collect and report statistics. This ensures that data from different countries can be compared easily.
- Supporting Countries: UNSD helps nations improve their own statistical systems so they can gather better data.
- Publishing Information: It regularly releases reports and databases, like the Statistical Yearbook, which provide access to global statistics for researchers, policymakers, and the public.
Accessing Data
UNSD has an online platform called UNdata, where users can find and download various statistical resources easily. This makes it simple for anyone to access important information from the UN's statistical work.
Key Functions of UNSD
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) has several key functions that help support global statistical efforts. Here are the main activities it undertakes:
- Data Collection and Dissemination: UNSD gathers and shares statistical information on various topics, including demographics, economy, environment, and social issues. This data is made available through reports and online databases, such as UNdata.
- Development of Standards: The division creates standards and norms for statistical practices to ensure consistency and reliability in data collection and reporting across different countries.
- Capacity Building: UNSD provides technical assistance to countries to help them improve their national statistical systems. This includes training programs and resources that enhance their ability to collect and analyse data effectively.
- Coordination of International Activities: UNSD coordinates statistical activities among various international organisations and supports the work of the United Nations Statistical Commission, which oversees global statistical efforts.
- Methodological Support: The division develops methodologies for statistical classifications and definitions, ensuring that countries can use standardised approaches in their data collection efforts.
How does the United Nations Statistics Division Work?
- It offers a global hub for information gathered from national and international sources on energy, industry, environment, trade internationally, national accounts, and social and demographic statistics.
- The division encourages national agencies to use international standards for their classifications, definitions, and techniques. Provides guidance and training to Member States in order to help them enhance their statistical services upon request.
- UNSD oversees the Division's coordination of the global statistical initiatives and programs that the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA) and the United Nations Statistical Commission have entrusted to it.
- It also contributes ideas and secretarial assistance to the UN Statistical Commission.
- The commission serves as the Secretariat of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG indicators, facilitates the process of reviewing and monitoring the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and manages the worldwide database of SDG indicators.
- It encourages the use of contemporary mapping and surveying methods as tools for development and progress.
What is the statistics of India as of 2024?
The statistics presented below are a compilation of 2015, 2020, and 2024. As you can see, from 2015 till now, there have been significant changes and developments in various areas such as technology, the economy, and social trends.
- Region: Southern Asia
- UN Membership Date: 30 October 1945
- Population (000, 2024): 1,450,936
- Surface Area (km²): 3,287,263
- Population Density (per km², 2024): 488.0
- Sex Ratio (m per 100 f): 106.5
- Capital City: New Delhi
- Capital City Population (000, 2024): 29,399.1
- National Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
- Exchange Rate (INR per US$): 83.1
| Indicator | 2015 | 2020 | 2024 |
| GDP (million current US$) | 2,146,759 | 2,676,119 | 3,465,541 |
| GDP Growth Rate (annual %, const. 2015 prices) | 8.0 | -5.8 | 7.2 |
| GDP per Capita (current US$) | 1,622.8 | 1,916.5 | 2,445.4 |
| Agriculture (% of GVA) | 17.7 | 20.3 | 18.4 |
| Industry (% of GVA) | 30.0 | 27.3 | 28.2 |
| Services (% of GVA) | 52.3 | 52.5 | 53.3 |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 44.3 | 44.7 | 42.9 |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 25.0 | 23.7 | 26.1 |
| Employment in Services (%) | 30.7 | 31.6 | 31.0 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.9 | 7.9 | 4.7 |
| Labour Force Participation (Female/Male %) | 27.0 / 77.1 | 25.9 / 73.6 | 31.1 / 76.8 |
| Consumer Price Index (2010=100) | 123 | 153 | 182 |
| Agricultural Production Index (2014-2016=100) | 98 | 119 | 126 |
| Exports (million current US$) | 264,381 | 275,489 | 423,013 |
| Imports (million current US$) | 390,745 | 367,980 | 671,801 |
| Trade Balance (million current US$) | -126,364 | -92,492 | -248,788 |
| Current Account Balance (million US$) | -22,457 | 32,730 | -32,336 |
| Population Growth Rate (%) | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| Urban Population (% of Total) | 32.8 | 34.5 | ... |
| Fertility Rate (Births per Woman) | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Life Expectancy (Female/Male, years) | 70.9 / 67.8 | 71.9 / 68.5 | 73.9 / 70.7 |
| Population Age Distribution (0-14 / 60+ %) | 28.9 / 8.6 | 26.3 / 9.9 | 24.6 / 10.8 |
| Migrant Stock (000 / % of Pop.) | 5,210.8 / 0.4 | 4,878.7 / 0.4 | ... |
| Under-Five Mortality Rate (per 1,000 births) | 43.5 | 32.6 | 28.2 |
| Health Expenditure (% of GDP) | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Physicians (per 1,000 pop.) | ... | 0.7 | ... |
| Education Expenditure (% of GDP) | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Primary Enrolment (f/m per 100) | 105.3 / 103.2 | 101.7 / 100.9 | 111.4 / 112.6 |
| Lower Secondary Enrolment (f/m per 100) | 90.0 / 86.8 | 90.3 / 87.9 | 88.7 / 87.0 |
| Upper Secondary Enrolment (f/m per 100) | 62.9 / 66.2 | 66.5 / 71.8 | 71.4 / 73.0 |
| Homicide Rate (per 100,000 pop.) | 3.4 | 2.9 | 2.8 |
| Seats Held by Women in Parliament (%) | 12.0 | 14.4 | 14.7 |
| Internet Usage (% of Population) | 14.9 | 43.4 | 48.1 |
| R&D Expenditure (% of GDP) | 0.7 | 0.6 | ... |
| Threatened Species (Number) | 1,039 | 1,118 | 1,543 |
| Forested Area (% of Land) | 23.8 | 24.3 | 24.4 |
| CO2 Emissions (million tons / per capita) | 2,208.4 / 1.7 | 2,210.9 / 1.6 | 2,441.6 / 1.7 |
| Energy Production (Petajoules) | 21,875 | 23,600 | 25,144 |
| Energy Supply per Capita (Gigajoules) | 27 | 27 | 28 |
| Tourist Arrivals (000) | 13,284 | 6,291 | 6,989 |
| Drinking Water Access (Urban/Rural %) | ... / 52.6 | ... / 62.1 | ... / 66.0 |
| Sanitation Access (Urban/Rural %) | 34.8 / 38.0 | 40.4 / 51.9 | 42.7 / 57.4 |
| Development Aid (% of GNI) | 0.15 | 0.07 | 0.10 |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division
The world’s population continues to grow steadily, with over 8 billion people in 2024. Global economic indicators show a rising GDP, reflecting both growth and challenges faced by different regions.
Efforts to protect the environment and improve access to water and sanitation are ongoing. The following table provides a detailed look at key global statistics across various sectors from 2015 to 2024.
| Indicator | 2015 | 2020 | 2024 |
| Population (000) | - | - | 8,161,973 |
| Surface Area (km²) | - | - | 130,094,010 |
| Population Density (per km²) | - | - | 62.6 |
| Sex Ratio (m per 100 f) | - | - | 101.1 |
| GDP (million current US$) | 75,440,153 | 85,483,570 | 100,834,796 |
| GDP Growth Rate (annual %, const. 2015 prices) | 3.1 | -2.9 | 3.1 |
| GDP per Capita (current US$) | 10,160.8 | 10,905.1 | 12,647.1 |
| Employment in Agriculture (% of employed) | 28.4 | 26.9 | 26.2 |
| Employment in Industry (% of employed) | 23.3 | 23.5 | 24.0 |
| Employment in Services (% of employed) | 48.3 | 49.6 | 49.8 |
| Unemployment Rate (% of labour force) | 6.0 | 6.6 | 5.2 |
| **Labour Force Participation (female/male %) | 48.2 / 74.2 | 46.8 / 71.7 | 48.2 / 72.9 |
| Agricultural Production Index (2014-2016=100) | 100 | 108 | 111 |
| Exports (million current US$) | 16,256,699 | 17,391,747 | 22,360,177 |
| Imports (million current US$) | 16,420,011 | 17,628,864 | 22,971,561 |
| Trade Balance (million current US$) | -163,312 | -237,117 | -611,384 |
| Population Growth Rate (average annual %) | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| Urban Population (% of total) | 53.9 | 55.7 | ... |
| Fertility Rate (live births per woman) | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| Life Expectancy (females/males, years) | 74.2 / 69.1 | 74.7 / 69.3 | 76.0 / 70.7 |
| Population Age Distribution (0-14 / 60+ %) | 26.6 / 12.2 | 25.8 / 13.4 | 24.7 / 14.5 |
| International Migrant Stock (000 / %) | 247,958.6 / 3.4 | 280,598.1 / 3.6 | ... / ... |
| Refugees (000) | 57,959.7 | 83,831.5 | 110,826.3 |
| Under-Five Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births) | 43.6 | 38.3 | 36.0 |
| Primary School Gross Enrollment (f/m) | 101.1 / 101.5 | 99.1 / 100.8 | 100.5 / 102.3 |
| Lower Secondary School Gross Enrollment (f/m) | 83.3 / 83.8 | 84.1 / 84.7 | 84.0 / 84.7 |
| Upper Secondary School Gross Enrollment (f/m) | 65.6 / 67.1 | 67.0 / 68.5 | 69.2 / 70.2 |
| Intentional Homicide Rate (per 100,000) | 5.9 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Seats Held by Women in Parliament (%) | 22.3 | 24.9 | 26.9 |
| Individuals Using the Internet (%) | 39.9 | 59.3 | 67.4 |
| R&D Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.9 |
| Forested Area (% of land area) | 31.3 | 31.1 | 31.1 |
| CO2 Emissions (million tons / tons per capita) | 31,468.5 / 4.2 | 31,239.0 / 4.0 | 33,147.0 / 4.2 |
| Energy Production (Petajoules) | 569,646 | 589,086 | 609,909 |
| Energy Supply per Capita (Gigajoules) | 74 | 72 | 76 |
| Sites for Terrestrial Biodiversity Protected (%) | 41.9 | 44.1 | 44.3 |
| Access to Safe Drinking Water (urban/rural %) | 80.4 / 55.9 | 81.2 / 60.9 | 81.1 / 62.2 |
| Access to Sanitation (urban/rural %) | 45.7 / 35.6 | 49.2 / 43.0 | 49.6 / 45.9 |
Statistics play a crucial role in international development initiatives by providing the data needed to inform policies, monitor progress, and allocate resources effectively.
They help governments and organisations make evidence-based decisions, allowing for targeted interventions that can significantly improve living conditions.
Reliable data on poverty, health, and education is essential for tracking progress towards international goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as statistics provide benchmarks to measure success and identify areas needing more attention.
Strong statistics are vital for shaping effective international development strategies, ensuring that efforts are targeted, measurable, and impactful.
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