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Secondary Research: Statistics and Data

Governmental Statistical Agencies

Governmental Statistical Agencies

 

Most statistical agencies exist to ensure that its government has high quality/reliable information about its population and economy in order to make sound policy decisions.  For example, Statistics Canada's Quality Standards states that "its focus is on how to assure quality through effective and appropriate design or redesign of a statistical project or program from inception through to data evaluation, dissemination and documentation" (Surveys and statistical programs–Documentation: 12-539-X, 2019).

You can easily find national statistical agencies' websites on the internet - but be aware that they may only provide information in their own official language(s) and that data quality standards, completeness and currency can vary. 

 

Canada
 

 

US/UK Agencies
 

 

IGOs

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)
 

Statistics from IGOs are particularly useful if you are looking for global level information or on topics relating to a particular IGO's specialist focus, e.g., the WHO and global health topics.  IGOs often have statistics on the same topics for many different countries - making it far easier to conduct country comparisons than compiling the data yourself. 

 

Some very important IGOs include:

 

  • World Bank is a global organization comprised of 189 member nations, with a focus on ending poverty and boosting prosperity around the globe. Priorities include food security, climate change, economic growth and investing in human capital.  The World Bank provides a vast array of publications and statistics by country and by indicator.  Indicators are available on subjects including agriculture & rural development, education, gender issues, poverty, infrastructure, social development, trade and more.
     
  • The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a global organization comprised of 38 of the world's most highly industrialized nations, including Canada, and "key partner" states which include Brazil, China, Indonesia and South Africa.  The OECD is focused on  improving the social, economic and environmental outlooks for its member countries, partners, and beyond. It offers a wide array of data, statistics and research publications by country and by topic. 
     
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF): is a global organisation made up of 190 member countries.  Its focus is on sustainable growth and economic policy - with the aim of promoting "financial stability and monetary cooperation" amongst its member countries. It provides research publications and statistics relating to global and regional economic outlooks, financial stability, climate change indicators and external debt.
     
  • UNICEF - Children:  UNICEF is the United Nations Agency for children, focusing on human rights, health, education, nutrition and much more.  The agency also focuses on maternal health, gender rights and nutrition for women. 
     
  • The World Health Organization (WHO): provides "Tables of health statistics by country and area, WHO region and globally.  Much of the information is provided by the relevant statistical agency for each country and the WHO adjusts or models the data to ensure that the statistics are comparable between countries and over time.  Statistics are available by country and by topic.

Subscription Databases

Statistical Databases - restricted to DC users only:

 

Statista: provides statistics and narrative reports that contain statistical tables, charts and graphs.  Topics are focussed on global business, market research and social trends.  Ideal for researchers in business, marketing, and sociology.  Company reports are available for publicly traded multinationals and large national firms.
 

Passport Euromonitor: provides demographic and economic data on every country in the world (with forecasts), as well as statistics, market reports, company profiles and information sources for country, market, consumer, and lifestyle profiling.