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
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:
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.