Integrity – a prerequisite of independence and credibility of official statistics

Abstract

The paper focuses on integrity as an essential principle for an effective system of official statistics. It attempts to evaluate the impact of some recent developments on its implementation (increasing complexity and instability of the socio-economic phenomena, increasing demand for statistics, emergence of private sector statistical producers, growing media domination in society, etc.), presenting some examples of the situation in Italy. The integrity of official statistics refers to the statistical staff, processes and data, and these aspects of integrity are inseparable and complementary. Integrity is also a component of the quality of official statistics perceived by users and by society in general. The producers of official statistics must start from the principle of integrity to re-examine and integrate aspects that are apparently separate from the principles driving the activities of official statistics. Implementing integrity requires establishing clear rules (code of practice), together with a series of internal protocols and procedures for their implementation. An independent guardian body should also be established to evaluate the fulfilment of the UN principles of official statistics.