October 20 — World Statistics Day

Statistical accounting is an effective tool for organizing and planning the activities of economic entities. In a market economy, sustainable development is impossible without proper accounting, analysis of performance results, and planning for future opportunities.

Emomali Rahmon

On October 20, World Statistics Day is celebrated around the globe. The day was first proposed in 2010 at the 41st session of the UN Statistical Commission to officially recognize October 20 as World Statistics Day. In several countries, it is also marked as a professional holiday for statistics workers. The Republic of Tajikistan, along with other countries, also celebrates this day.

The Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan is the authorized national body for implementing state policy in the field of statistics. Thanks to the attention and support of the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, and the Government of the country, Tajikistan has made efforts to align national statistical indicators with international standards and to present them at both the national and international levels.

Over the 34 years of Independence, despite numerous economic and financial challenges, the Statistical Agency has achieved notable results in improving the quality, collection, and dissemination of statistical data across social and economic sectors, in strengthening cooperation with international organizations, fostering exchange of experience among professionals, and adopting modern international statistical practices.

The formation of official statistics in the country began on January 1, 2011, based on a new classification system aligned with international standards (ISIC).

During the period of independence, the Agency successfully conducted population censuses in 2000 and 2010, an agricultural census in 2013, and a population and housing census in 2020.

Data collection and dissemination are carried out under the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On State Statistics” dated January 12, 2010, which guarantees the independence of the Agency and the confidentiality of data provided by individual reporting units.

According to the law, all enterprises, organizations, institutions, and all economic and non-economic entities, regardless of ownership type, must provide accurate, complete, and timely reports to statistical authorities. Statistics is an effective tool for systematizing and forecasting the activities of economic agents.

In fact, the origins of statistics date back to the earliest states, when rulers recognized the importance of accurate data on population, land area, livestock, and weapons for effective governance.

In the modern world, statistical systems are key government institutions in all countries, with professionals working continuously to ensure their sustainable development.

Since gaining independence, Tajikistan has seen unprecedented growth in the collection of reliable and accurate statistics, with increased attention from the Government to the national statistical system. As society develops, the demand for official statistics — particularly in terms of structure and quality — has significantly increased.

In recent years, with the strong support of the President and the Government, the national statistical system has achieved significant progress in improving the quality of data dissemination, fully digitizing reporting, implementing electronic recordkeeping in rural and urban municipalities, reducing the reporting burden on respondents via digital submissions, equipping agencies with modern tools, and enhancing working conditions for staff at central and local statistical offices.

To ensure further progress and visible development of the sector, the Agency has established effective cooperation with international organizations and development partners. With their support, measures are being taken to strengthen the national statistical system’s capacity to collect, analyze, and timely provide reliable data on the country’s socio-economic development.

One of the key goals of current programs and strategies is to enhance classification systems and adopt international standards through the implementation of classification schemes harmonized with global norms.

Only by doing so can the consistency and comparability of official statistics at national and international levels be improved. The Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan is making steady progress in this direction and is expected to achieve significant results in the medium term.