From National statistical office to State data agency : the Lithuanian experience as a test case for NSO-led data governance

Abstract

National Statistical Offices are increasingly expected to move beyond traditional statistical production and act as central stewards of national data ecosystems. This expansion creates a fundamental institutional tension: organizations built to guarantee professional independence and confidentiality are now being asked to promote data sharing, reuse, and policy analytics. This article examines Lithuania as a critical case of this transformation. In 2023, Statistics Lithuania was legally reconstituted as the State Data Agency (SDA), receiving a mandate that integrates official statistics with state-wide data governance. Drawing on legal analysis, institutional documentation, and operational evidence, the study explores how Lithuania has centralized administrative data flows, established a national data lake, and developed secure analytical environments to support ministries and municipalities. Concrete applications in health surveillance, social policy, and municipal planning demonstrate the benefits of this model, including reduced respondent burden, more timely indicators, and enhanced evidence-based decision-making. At the same time, the Lithuanian experience reveals significant governance risks related to confidentiality, politicization, and technological dependence. The paper argues that NSO-led data agencies can strengthen public sector capacity only if robust legal safeguards, transparent access procedures, and ethical oversight evolve alongside technological systems. Lithuania thus provides both inspiration and caution for countries seeking to reposition their statistical authorities at the centre of the digital state.