Making a Difference with Data: The Essential Role of Official Statistics

What is Official Statistics?

The field of official statistics centers around statistical products produced by government agencies (or with data collected by government agencies) and international organizations to inform public policy, track economic and social trends, and serve the public interest. This is a very broad definition and can understandably span a wide variety of applications, including population demographics, labor markets, health indicators, education, crime rates, environmental conditions, and more. Agencies like the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the United Nations Statistics Division are some of the key players in the field, working tirelessly to collect, analyze, and disseminate data that reflects the state of the world.

At its core, official statistics is about design, collection, and analysis that turns raw data into meaningful insights that can be used by policymakers, businesses, researchers, and the public to make informed decisions. For example, data from the American Community Survey helps determine the allocation of federal funding and the U.S. decennial census is used for distribution of legislative seats. Labor force surveys guide decisions on employment policies and workforce development. Finally, health statistics are crucial for monitoring disease outbreaks, assessing healthcare needs, and planning public health interventions.

The scope of official statistics extends well beyond just data collection; it involves meticulous processes and statistical modeling to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of the information. This can include design of complex surveys, development of advanced statistical methods, adjusting for sampling, nonresponse, and other biases, and safeguarding the privacy of respondents. Official statisticians also face the unique challenge of communicating their findings clearly and accessibly to a broad audience, from government officials and policy analysts to journalists and the general public.

The data generated through official statistics play a critical role in upholding democratic principles by ensuring that decisions are based on objective, transparent, and unbiased evidence. For instance, economic statistics are essential for central banks to make decisions about interest rates and monetary policy. Social statistics help track progress towards national and international goals, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Environmental statistics provide vital information on the state of our natural resources and the impacts of climate change.

Why Does Official Statistics Matter?

One of the most compelling reasons that official statistics matters is the direct impact on real-world decisions. When governments allocate funding for schools, build infrastructure, or respond to natural disasters, they rely on official statistics to make informed choices about the allocation of these resources. For example, the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Program (SAIPE) uses data from the American Community Survey to produce annual estimates of income and poverty for various geographic regions across the United States. These estimates are used for distribution of federal, state, and local funds, while also helping in program management. Similarly, the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates Program (SAHIE) provides annual estimates of health insurance coverage for U.S. geographies. Again, these estimates are used for allocation of federal assistance programs. Also, these estimates can be used to study the variation in health insurance coverage across time and/or geography. Finally, data from the American Community Survey is used to estimate the number of language minorities in U.S. geographies. This is relevant to Section 203 of the U.S. Voting Rights Act, which requires that covered geographies must “provide registration or voting notices, instructions, assistance, or other materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English Language.” Thus, official statistics is used to ensure that people have access to the necessary voting resources that they deserve.

Official statistics also plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust and accountability in government. By providing transparent and unbiased data, they empower citizens to hold their leaders accountable and ensure that public policies are grounded in reality. For example, demographic data from the census is used to redraw legislative districts, impacting political representation. Accurate and impartial statistics ensure that this process is fair and reflects the true makeup of the population. Furthermore, official statistics provide a check against misinformation and serve as a trusted source of facts in an age where data manipulation and misinformation are prevalent. Finally, many official statisticians study the problem of data confidentiality and develop methodology to ensure that respondents’ data is kept private. This further serves to maintain public trust in government.

What are the Advantages of Studying Official Statistics?

When considering which subfield of statistics to pursue, graduate students often weigh factors like job prospects, intellectual challenges, and the potential to make an impact. Official statistics stands out in all of these areas, offering a unique combination of practical relevance, diverse career opportunities, and the chance to directly contribute to the public good.

One of the most compelling reasons to study official statistics is the direct impact it can have. Unlike more theoretical or purely technical subfields, official statistics provides tangible benefits to communities and individuals by informing policies and programs that address real-world issues. This sense of purpose can be incredibly fulfilling, offering a clear link between your statistical expertise and positive societal outcomes.

Expertise in official statistics also offers a wealth of job opportunities across various sectors. Positions in national statistical offices, such as the U.S. Census Bureau or Statistics Canada, provide stable and rewarding careers where your work directly influences national policy. For example, the Center for Statistical Research and Methodology at the U.S. Census Bureau employs over 30 research statisticians, working on a variety of important problems including spatial analysis, small area estimation, record linkage, and time series, among others. Most other U.S. federal agencies hire statisticians as well, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice. In addition to federal agencies, independent research organization such as NORC, Westat, and RTI can offer great careers, and often seek out statisticians with expertise in official statistics. Lastly, there are always career options in academia or general industry.

Another important note is that careers in official statistics often offer the chance to work on high-profile projects that gain public visibility, such as the decennial census or major health surveys like the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This exposure can be a valuable asset in building a professional reputation and advancing in your career.

Another intriguing aspect of official statistics is that it is inherently interdisciplinary, blending statistical expertise with insights from fields such as economics, sociology, public health, and demography. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds, enhancing your ability to work on complex, multifaceted problems.

Wrapping Up

Choosing to work on official statistics means choosing a career that is deeply connected to real-world challenges and solutions. It’s a field that not only equips you with a versatile and highly sought-after skill set but also allows you to work on projects that matter, with a tangible impact on people’s lives. The work is diverse, the challenges are meaningful, and the opportunities for personal and professional growth are abundant.

As you consider your future in the field of statistics, consider the possibilities within official statistics. It offers a chance to contribute to the public good, shape important policies, and make a real difference. For those who are driven by the desire to use their skills to help people and improve society, official statistics offers a fulfilling and impactful career path.

If you would like to get involved in the official statistics community, there are plenty of resources. A great place to start would be joining the relevant sections of the American Statistical Association: the Government Statistics Section (GSS), the Survey Research Methods Sections (SRMS), and the Social Statistics Section (SSS). You might also think about becoming a member of the International Association for Official Statistics (IAOS). Lastly, if you would like to read relevant research, there are a number of outlets, but two journals in particular that you might look into are the Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology (JSSAM) and the Journal of Official Statistics (JOS).