United Nations Statistical Commission

United Nations Statistical Commission

Subject: International Relations

Section: International Organisation

Context: India’s official statistical system is under UNSC’s scrutiny.

About:

• The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1946, is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
• It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level.
• The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.
• The term of office of members is four years.

Composition:

The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council based on an equitable geographical distribution according to the following pattern:

• Five members from African States
• Four members from Asia-Pacific States
• Four members from Eastern European States
• Four members from Latin American and Caribbean States
• Seven members from Western European and other States.

India’s Performance:

• India’s ranking was 67 among 174 countries in 2019.
• India has been elected to the highest statistical body of the United Nations for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2024.
• India was a member of the Statistical Commission last in 2004 and the country is returning to the UN agency after a gap of two decades.

Methodology:

• The World Bank compiles Statistical Performance Indicators(SPIs) to assess the performance of national statistical systems across 174 countries.
• The SPIs is based on the assessment of five dimensions of performance, commonly referred to as the five pillars of a national statistical system.
• Five Pillars of SPI are: Data use, Data services, Data products, Data sources, Data infrastructure.