United Nations Statistics Division

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), serves 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. 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.

The Statistics Division's main functions are:

1. the collection, processing and dissemination of statistical information;
2. the standardization of statistical methods, classifications and definitions;
3. the technical cooperation programme; and
4. the coordination of international statistical programmes and activities.

To carry out these functions, it:

• provides a global centre for data on international trade, national accounts, energy, industry, environment and demographic and social statistics gathered from national
  and international sources
• promotes international standards of methods, classifications and definitions used by national agencies
• assists Member States, at their request, to improve their statistical services by giving advice and training
• coordinates international statistical programmes and activities entrusted to the Division by the United Nations Statistical Commission and the Committee for the Coordination
  of Statistical Activities (CCSA)
• provides input and secretarial support to the United Nations Statistical Commission
• facilitates the monitoring of progress toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by leading the Interagency and Expert Group on MDG indicators and maintaining the global MDG indicator database
• promotes modern surveying and mapping techniques as a tool for growth and development

The Division regularly publishes data updates, including the Statistical Yearbook and World Statistics Pocketbook, and books and reports on statistics and statistical methods. The
Division's databases are also available on this site.

For further information contact:
Director, Statistics Division
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
United States of America
Fax: +1 212/963 4116
E-mail:statistics@un.org