IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The Statistician-General (SG), Mr Pali Lehohla, gave a presentation on “Why statistics matter” at the high-level Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN) meeting in Berlin.

In his presentation, he highlighted the fact that statistics are about people, places and possibilities, not about numbers. He made reference to the properties of statistics, and how they should be used for planning, in that they provide baseline data for policy documents such as the NDP; monitoring and evaluation in measuring development and the impact; policy development, as better statistics increase the rationale for making decisions for better policies, and improve decision making in government, business and the public.

The SG made reference to some practical examples of how statistics can be used to monitor development, as well as identify areas where policies have failed to make an impact.

He concluded by stating that a better life for all is possible through better statistics for better planning, monitoring and implementation.