United Nations Statistics Division

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), formerly the United Nations Statistical Office, works under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). It is the main group within the United Nations that helps meet the statistical needs and coordinates activities for the global statistical system.

The Division is guided by the United Nations Statistical Commission, created in 1947. This commission is the top decision-making body for international statistical activities and includes chief statisticians from member states worldwide.

The Division collects and shares global statistical information, creates standards for statistical work, and helps countries improve their own statistical systems.

It regularly releases updates such as the Statistical Yearbook and World Statistics Pocketbook, along with books and reports on statistics and methods. Many of its databases can be found online and in various electronic and printed forms. UNdata, a new online service, makes UN statistical databases easy for users to access, search, and download from one place.

Directors

Including acting directors:

Name	Nationality	Term
Shantanu Mukherjee (acting)	India	1 September 2025 – present
Ronald Jansen (acting)	Netherlands	1 July – 31 August 2025
Stefan Schweinfest	Germany	1 July 2014 – 30 June 2025
Stefan Schweinfest (acting)	Germany	April 2013 – 30 June 2014
Paul Cheung	Singapore	2004–2012
Willem de Vries (acting)	Netherlands	2002–2004
Hermann Habermann	United States	1994–2002
William Seltzer	United States	1986–1994
Yoshimasa Kurabayashi	Japan	1982–1986
Svein Nordbotten	Norway	1979–1982
Simon Goldberg	Canada	1972–1979
Patrick J. Loftus	United Kingdom	1962–1972
William R. Leonard	United States	1948–1962
Harry Campion	United Kingdom	1947

Topics

The United Nations Statistics Division works on many important areas. These include the economy, such as industry, energy, and trade statistics. It also covers the environment and development indicators, like those for Sustainable Development Goal.

PET Lab

The UNSD also leads the Privacy-Enhancing Technologies Lab (PET Lab). This lab works with TrustworthyAI and ITU to advance important technology goals.