What is the United Nations Statistics Division Program? All You Need To Know

World Statics Day is an international day celebrating statistics. The holiday was established by the United Nations Statistical Commission and was first celebrated on October 20, 2010. This day is celebrated every five years.

What’s even more interesting is that each country celebrates it on a different date, depending on its statistical significance and history. As of 2010, 103 countries celebrate National Statistics Day, with 51 African countries celebrating Africa Statistics Day on 18 November.

India celebrates Statistics Day on June 29, the birthday of statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. In addition, on the same day, October 20, 2010, the Royal Statistical Society also launched the “Get Statistics” campaign to teach people statistical knowledge.

Recently, the United Nations Statistics Office released the 2024 edition of the World Statistical Manual (Fifth Series, Issue 48), which is the 48th issue in a series of annual compilations of key statistical indicators compiled by the Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. . social affairs.

Up to 50 indicators from more than 20 international statistical sources are presented on one page, covering 30 geographical regions of the world and more than 200 countries or regions of the world.

What is the United Nations Statistics Division?

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), formerly the United Nations Statistics Office, is part of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). It focuses on collecting and sharing important data on various topics around the world. Here’s a simple breakdown of what it does:

The main role of UNSD

  • Collecting data: UNSD collects statistical data on many topics, including population, economics, environment, and trade. This helps countries understand trends and make informed decisions.
  • Develop standards: The department develops guidance on how to collect and report statistics. This ensures that data from different countries can be easily compared.
  • Supporting countries: The United Nations Statistics Division helps countries improve their statistical systems so they can collect better data.
  • Publishing information: It regularly publishes reports and databases, such as the Statistical Yearbook, providing researchers, policymakers and the public with access to global statistics.

access data

UNSD has an online platform called UNdata where users can easily find and download various statistical resources. This makes important information on the United Nations statistical work easily accessible to anyone.

Main functions of UNSD

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) has several key functions to help support global statistical work. The following are its main activities:

  • Data Collection and Dissemination: UNSD collects and shares statistical information on a variety of topics, including demographics, economics, environmental and social issues. This data is provided through reports and online databases such as UNdata.
  • Standards Setting: The department develops standards and norms for statistical practice to ensure consistency and reliability in data collection and reporting across countries.
  • Capacity-building: The United Nations Statistics Division provides technical assistance to countries to help them improve their national statistical systems. This includes training programs and resources that enhance their ability to effectively collect and analyze data.
  • Coordination of international activities: The United Nations Statistics Division coordinates statistical activities among international organizations and supports the work of the United Nations Statistical Commission, which oversees global statistics.
  • Methodological support: The Division develops methods for statistical classification and definitions to ensure that countries can use standardized methods in data collection efforts.

How does the United Nations Statistics Division work?

  • It provides a global hub for information gathered from domestic and international sources on energy, industry, environment, international trade, national accounts, and social and demographic data.
  • The Department encourages state agencies to use international standards for classifications, definitions, and techniques. Provide guidance and training to Member States to help them strengthen statistical services as required.
  • UNSD oversees the Division’s coordination of global statistical initiatives and programs commissioned by the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA) and the United Nations Statistical Commission.
  • It also provides ideas and secretarial assistance to the United Nations Statistical Commission.
  • The Committee serves as the secretariat of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators, facilitates the review and monitoring of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and manages the global Sustainable Development Goal Indicators database.
  • It encourages the use of contemporary cartographic and surveying methods as tools for development and progress.

What are India’s statistics as of 2024?

The statistics below are for 2015, 2020, and 2024. As you can see, from 2015 to now, tremendous changes and developments have taken place in various fields such as technology, economy, and social trends.

  • Region: South Asia
  • Date of joining the United Nations: October 30, 1945
  • Population (000, 2024): 1,450,936
  • Surface area (km²): 3,287,263
  • Population density (per square kilometer, 2024): 488.0
  • Sex ratio (males per 100 females): 106.5
  • Capital: New Delhi
  • Capital city population (000, 2024): 29,399.1
  • National Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
  • Exchange rate (INR to USD): 83.1

index

2015

2020

2024

GDP (millions of current U.S. dollars)

2,146,759

2,676,119

3,465,541

GDP growth rate (annual %, in 2015 prices)

8.0

-5.8

7.2

GDP per capita (current US$)

1,622.8

1,916.5

2,445.4

Agriculture (% of GVA)

17.7

20.3

18.4

Industrial (% of GVA)

30.0

27.3

28.2

Services (% of total value added)

52.3

52.5

53.3

Agricultural employment rate (%)

44.3

44.7

42.9

Industrial employment rate (%)

25.0

23.7

26.1

Service industry employment (%)

30.7

31.6

31.0

unemployment rate(%)

7.9

7.9

4.7

Labor force participation rate (% female/male)

27.0/77.1

25.9/73.6

31.1/76.8

Consumer Price Index (2010=100)

123

153

182

Agricultural production index (2014-2016=100)

98

119

126

Exports (millions of current US$)

264,381

275,489

423,013

Imports (millions of current US$)

390,745

367,980

671,801

Trade balance (millions of current US dollars)

-126,364

-92,492

-248,788

Current account balance (USD million)

-22,457

32,730

-32,336

Population growth rate (%)

1.2

0.9

0.9

Urban population (% of total population)

32.8

34.5

Fertility rate (births per woman)

2.3

2.0

2.0

Life expectancy (female/male, years)

70.9/67.8

71.9/68.5

73.9/70.7

Population age distribution (0-14 / 60+ %)

28.9/8.6

26.3/9.9

24.6/10.8

Immigrant stock (000/% of population)

5,210.8/0.4

4,878.7/0.4

Under-five mortality rate (per 1,000 births)

43.5

32.6

28.2

Health expenditure (% of GDP)

3.6

3.3

3.3

Physicians (per 1,000 people)

0.7

Education expenditure (% of GDP)

4.1

4.3

4.6

Primary school enrollment rate (per 100 females)

105.3/103.2

101.7/100.9

111.4/112.6

Lower secondary school enrollment rate (per 100 females)

90.0/86.8

90.3/87.9

88.7/87.0

High school enrollment rate (per 100 females)

62.9/66.2

66.5/71.8

71.4/73.0

Homicide rate (per 100,000 people)

3.4

2.9

2.8

Seats held by women in parliament (%)

12.0

14.4

14.7

Internet usage (% of population)

14.9

43.4

48.1

R&D expenditure (% of GDP)

0.7

0.6

Threatened species (number)

1,039 people

1,118

1,543

Forest area (% of land)

23.8

24.3

24.4

Carbon dioxide emissions (million tons/capita)

2,208.4/1.7

2,210.9/1.6

2,441.6/1.7

Energy production (petajoules)

21,875

23,600

25,144

Energy supply per capita (gigajoules)

27

27

28

Number of tourists (000)

13,284

6,291

6,989

Drinking water supply (urban/rural %)

…/52.6

…/62.1

…/66.0

Penetration rate of sanitation facilities (urban/rural %)

34.8/38.0

40.4/51.9

42.7/57.4

Development aid (% of gross national income)

0.15

0.07

0.10

Source: United Nations Statistics Division

The world’s population continues to grow steadily and will exceed 8 billion in 2024. Global economic indicators show rising GDP, reflecting growth and challenges in different regions. Efforts to protect the environment and improve water and sanitation supplies continue. The table below details key global statistics by industry from 2015 to 2024.

index

2015

2020

2024

Population(000)

8,161,973

Surface area (km²)

130,094,010

Population density (per square kilometer)

62.6

Gender ratio (males per 100 females)

101.1

GDP (millions of current U.S. dollars)

75,440,153

85,483,570

100,834,796

GDP growth rate (annual %, in 2015 prices)

3.1

-2.9

3.1

GDP per capita (current US$)

10,160.8

10,905.1

12,647.1

Agricultural employment (% of employment)

28.4

26.9

26.2

Industrial employment (% of employment)

23.3

23.5

24.0

Services employment (% of employment)

48.3

49.6

49.8

Unemployment rate (% of labor force)

6.0

6.6

5.2

**Labour Force Participation Rate (Female/Male %)

48.2/74.2

46.8/71.7

48.2/72.9

Agricultural production index (2014-2016=100)

100

108

111

Exports (millions of current US$)

16,256,699

17,391,747

22,360,177

Imports (millions of current US$)

16,420,011

17,628,864

22,971,561

Trade balance (millions of current US dollars)

-163,312

-237,117

-611,384

Population growth rate (annual average %)

1.2

0.9

0.9

Urban population (% of total population)

53.9

55.7

Fertility rate (live births per woman)

2.5

2.3

2.2

Life expectancy (female/male, years)

74.2/69.1

74.7/69.3

76.0/70.7

Population age distribution (0-14 / 60+ %)

26.6/12.2

25.8/13.4

24.7/14.5

International migrant stock (000/%)

247,958.6/3.4

280,598.1/3.6

… / …

Refugees(000)

57,959.7

83,831.5

110,826.3

Under-five mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)

43.6

38.3

36.0

Gross primary school enrollment rate (female/female)

101.1/101.5

99.1/100.8

100.5/102.3

Total junior high school enrollment rate (f/m)

83.3/83.8

84.1/84.7

84.0/84.7

High school total enrollment rate (f/m)

65.6/67.1

67.0/68.5

69.2/70.2

Intentional homicide rate (per 100,000 people)

5.9

5.5

5.6

Seats held by women in parliament (%)

22.3

24.9

26.9

Individuals using the Internet (%)

39.9

59.3

67.4

R&D expenditure (% of GDP)

1.7

2.0

1.9

Forest area (% of land area)

31.3

31.1

31.1

CO2 emissions (million tons/ton per capita)

31,468.5/4.2

31,239.0/4.0

33,147.0/4.2

Energy production (petajoules)

569,646

589,086

609,909

Energy supply per capita (gigajoules)

74

72

76

Terrestrial biodiversity protection sites (%)

41.9

44.1

44.3

Access to safe drinking water (% urban/rural)

80.4/55.9

81.2/60.9

81.1/62.2

Access to sanitation facilities (urban/rural %)

45.7/35.6

49.2/43.0

49.6/45.9