Building Statistical Capacity at the National Level as Key to Better Data for Sustainable Development

This chapter explores the importance of building statistical capacity in order to track the progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It focuses on the urgent need for collecting, analyzing, and reporting disaggregated data, i.e., breaking down statistics by such characteristics as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The chapter argues that robust national statistical systems and well-functioning national statistical offices are crucial for producing reliable data to inform policies and address inequalities on local and national levels. However, challenges such as resource constraints, limited autonomy of national statistical offices, and high costs of data production hinder many developing and least developed countries from improving their statistical capacities. The chapter uses examples from Latin America and Africa to highlight disparities in statistical capacity and the resulting gaps in reliable and timely data. We conclude by offering actionable recommendations, as per the United Nations’ Pact for the Future, to ensure no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Forthcoming in Pathways to Sustainable Development: Implementing the Pact for the Future, edited by Narinder Kakar & Anna Shostya. Edward Elgar Publishing.