World Statistics Day

World Statistics Day History

World Statistics Day seeks to highlight the importance of reliable and timely data for informed decision-making by governments and individuals. The day also serves to promote the right to public information and raise awareness for technical investments that can aid in the data collection process. The importance of timely and reliable data means that nobody is left unaccounted for in order for policy makers to better address and overcome challenges such as education, climate change and social needs.

World Statistics Day was officially designated by the United Nations in 2010 and is celebrated every 5 years. The first ever World Statistics Day was celebrated on October 20, 2010.

Facts & quotes about World Statistics Day

• The theme for World Statistics Day in 2025 was Driving change with quality statistics and data for everyone. In 2024 the theme was Empowering Data for Sustainable Development.
• 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.
• Some of the main advantages of using statistics are that you can track trends and changes over time and track usage patterns. Some disadvantages are that they are not appropriate for being immediately understood, they must be interpreted properly, which requires technical expertise.
• In ancient times they had no statistics so they had to fall back on lies. – Stephen Leacock, a Canadian teacher, political scientist, writer and humorist.
• It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics. – George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, critic and polemicist.

In the News and Trending in the US for World Statistics Day

Top things to do in the US for World Statistics Day

• Spread awareness about the holiday by using the hashtag #WorldStatisticsDay #StatsMatter or #TruthinStats
• Watch a movie about the value of statistics. Some suggestions are: Statistics (2006), Good Will Hunting (1997) and 21 (2008).
• Read books about the value of statistics. Some suggestions are: The Signal and the Noise, Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics.
• Attend the Pizza and Puns day that will be held at Carnegie Mellon University. They are throwing a pizza party day and guests are encouraged to share statistics with themed desserts with prizes and treats for the most clever statistics pun.