Targeted Improvements in National Statistics Offices Can Drive Better Governance, Says World Bank
August 2025 — A new survey released by the World Bank highlights the critical role of national statistical offices in shaping government performance, especially across Latin America. The survey of 13,300 public officials reveals that while national statistics offices (NSOs) are essential for generating reliable data to support policymaking and service delivery, many still face internal challenges that limit their effectiveness.
The study identifies a pressing need for diagnostic tools to assess and improve internal operations within statistical institutions. It also emphasizes how strategic changes—particularly in areas like recruitment and performance evaluation—can lead to significant gains in overall statistical quality.
Two key graphs featured in the World Bank’s recent social media post illustrate this point. The first graph shows a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.36) between the percentage of officials giving favorable evaluations and the statistical performance score of their country. This suggests that perception of competence is loosely tied to actual performance outcomes.
The second graph demonstrates a stronger correlation (r = 0.62) between a country’s survey index score—an aggregate measure of recruitment, selection, and internal HR practices—and its statistical performance. This correlation underlines the direct link between institutional capacity and the ability to generate high-quality statistics.
The findings reinforce the idea that statistical offices are more than data producers—they are institutional pillars that need ongoing investment in personnel, tools, and transparency. Without such targeted improvements, governments may continue to face data gaps that hinder responsive policymaking.
As countries strive to improve public trust and efficiency, empowering national statistics offices through structural reforms may be a high-impact, cost-effective strategy. The message is clear: better recruitment and stronger internal processes equal better data—and ultimately, better governance.
