20 October Marks European Statistics Day: Celebrating Its 10th Anniversary
On 20 October, the European statistical community celebrates European Statistics Day, which aims to highlight the importance of official statistics, the value of reliable data for society, and their role in supporting evidence-based decision-making.
European Statistics Day was first celebrated on 20 October, 2016, in Budapest. As a result, its 10th anniversary is being marked this year. The initiative was launched by the European Statistical Advisory Committee (ESAC) and is supported by the European Statistical System (ESS) and the European System of Central Banks.
The theme of European Statistics Day 2026 is “European Statistics at a Crossroads: Priorities, Opportunities and Constraints”. It encourages discussions on the future of official statistics, the opportunities offered by new technologies, ensuring data quality, and responding to the evolving needs of society.
The importance of reliable statistics in today’s society
On the occasion of European Statistics Day, Mariana Kotzeva, Director-General of Eurostat, highlights the importance of official statistics for informed decision-making.
“20 October is an annual opportunity to express gratitude to colleagues and everyone involved in producing, publishing and communicating European official statistics. It is also an opportunity to remind data users of the importance of relying on trustworthy and high-quality data when making decisions. Today, when the abundance of information and data can create challenges, we must make every effort to ensure that important decisions are based on quality data collected and published in an impartial, independent and transparent manner”.
Mariana Kotzeva, Director-General of Eurostat
Roxane Silberman, Chair of the European Statistical Advisory Committee, also draws attention to the challenges facing the official statistics community.
“In a context of significant geopolitical and economic uncertainty, military conflicts, structural changes caused by climate change, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, official statistics must respond to the growing and urgent needs of data users. With limited resources, it must set priorities, make use of new data sources, reduce the burden on respondents and statistical producers, and harness the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and technological progress,while maintaining data quality and comparability. In the coming years, it will be crucial to strengthen cooperation with data users and all stakeholders in order to preserve the role of official statistics at a time of increasing distrust in science”.
Roxane Silberman, Chair of the European Statistical Advisory Committee
How is European Statistics Day celebrated in Lithuania?
The State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) is also joining the celebration of European Statistics Day. On 20 October, it is organizing various activities aimed at promoting statistical literacy, encouraging the use of data, and raising awareness of the importance of official statistics.
On this day, at the State Data Agency:
- Statistics lessons for students. School students visit the Agency, where specialists present statistics from various fields and introduce them to data collection, analysis, and their practical applications.
- An online statistical literacy seminar for teachers. The seminar presents relevant data search and visualization tools that teachers can apply in the educational process, as well as opportunities offered by the European Statistics Competition.
- Registration opens for the 2026–2027 European Statistics Competition. Students are invited to test their statistical knowledge, analyze data, and compete in the national and European stages of the competition.
- Information campaign on social media. The Agency shares information about European Statistics Day, the importance of official statistics, and statistical literacy initiatives.
These activities aim to strengthen the public’s ability to understand and critically assess statistical information, encourage interest in data, and demonstrate its importance in everyday life.
Celebrating European Statistics Day in other countries
European Statistics Day is celebrated across Europe. National statistical institutes organise conferences, educational events, student competitions, launch new statistical products, and carry out public information campaigns.
These initiatives aim to increase the accessibility of official statistics, promote statistical literacy, and strengthen public trust in reliable data.
More information on how national statistical institutes across Europe celebrate European Statistics Day can be found here.
These activities aim to strengthen the public’s ability to understand and critically assess statistical information, encourage interest in data, and demonstrate its importance in everyday life.
Last updated: 20-10-2026
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