1.1 Introduction to the FPOS

1.1 Introduction to the FPOS#

1.1.1 History of the FPOS#

The Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics (FPOS) are the cornerstone for producing reliable, high-quality official statistics that meet society’s evolving needs. These ten principles establish crucial professional standards and ethical guidelines, ensuring that national statistical systems (NSSs) operate with impartiality, scientific rigor, and independence.

Origins and Development

The need for guiding principles in official statistics emerged in the late 1980s during the transition of Eastern and Central European countries from centrally planned economies to market-oriented democracies. This shift necessitated the production of appropriate and reliable data adhering to specific professional and scientific standards.

Key milestones in FPOS development

  • 1991: The Conference of European Statisticians develops and adopts the FPOS (CES/702)

  • 1992: The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) adopts the FPOS at the ministerial level

  • 1994: The United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) adopts the principles with a revised preamble, recognizing their global significance

Evolution and Global Recognition

The FPOS has maintained its relevance over the years. In 2011, the UNSC acknowledged that no revision of the 10 Principles was necessary. However, to reflect new developments, the UNSC recommended updating the preamble.

Recent developments

  • 2013: The UNSC adopts the updated preamble at its 44th session

  • 2013: The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) endorses the Principles in resolution 2013/21

  • 2014: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) endorses the Principles in resolution 68/261

As of 2024, 159 countries (roughly 82% of UN Member States) have national statistical legislation aligned with the UNFPOS. Adoption is nearly universal in Europe & North America and has been implemented in Australia & New Zealand. Most countries in Latin America & the Caribbean and Eastern & Southeastern Asia are compliant, with steady increases across Northern Africa & Western Asia, Central & Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Oceania.

However, legal alignment does not mean full implementation. In the latest global self-assessment of 93 countries (2018/2019), just over 60% reported that the FPOS is fully integrated into their statistical law or institutional framework, about 27% reported partial integration, and roughly 6% reported no integration. Operational adoption across the broader NSS was also uneven. For example, only 74% indicated that other NSS agency leadership was aware of the FPOS, and only 52% reported that the statistical law covers statistical services in line ministries.

1.1.2 Content and Focus of the FPOS#

The FPOS lays down 10 basic principles and rules regarding operations and conduct related to official statistics, as follows:

  • Principle 1: Serving the entire society, relevance, impartiality and equal access

  • Principle 2: Professionalism and professional independence

  • Principle 3: Transparency on sources and methods and accountability

  • Principle 4: Prevention of misuse

  • Principle 5: Cost-effectiveness and freedom to select data sources

  • Principle 6: Privacy and confidentiality of individual data

  • Principle 7: Laws, rules, and regulations (transparency)

  • Principle 8: Need for national coordination (consistency and efficiency)

  • Principle 9: Need for international coordination (concepts, standards, and methods)

  • Principle 10: International statistical cooperation

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