Research Guides United Nations Office at Geneva Library & Archives

Statistics Resource Guide

Discover a wealth of data through two UN statistical portals: UNdata and UNCTADstat.  Here you will also find links to various websites of the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies responsible for collecting and publishing statistical information as well as links to some UN publications. 

Featured publications

Featured Databases

Sustainable Development Goals

Millennium Development Goals

United Nations Statistical Division and the Statistical Commission

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) is a division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). UNSD is committed to the advancement of the global statistical system. It compiles and disseminates global statistical information, develops standards and norms for statistical activities, and supports countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems.

Find more information:

- United Nations Statistics Division publications

- @UNStats on Twitter

The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, is the highest body of the global statistical system. It brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world. It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities especially the setting of statistical standards, the development of concepts and methods and their implementation at the national and international level.

The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.

Statistics from other UN Offices and Specialized Agencies

For a more complete list, see the UNECE website: Links to Official Statistical Organizations

For specific databases from these agencies and programmes, see the: Statistical Information by Theme page of this Resource Guide.

World Statistics Day, 20 October

With resolution 69/282 on 3 June 2015, the United Nations General Assembly decided to celebrate World Statistics Day every five years on 20 October.