Democracy Dies in Darkness Without Official Data by Dr Luca Di Gennaro (FEMA)

Dr Luca Di Gennaro Splendore, from the University of Malta, took part in the 65th World Statistics Congress (WSC 2025) of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) held in The Hague, Netherlands, from 5 to 9 October 2025. The Congress gathered more than 1,500 experts from academia, national statistical offices, and international organisations to discuss how statistics can drive evidence-based policy in an era of digital transformation.

Dr Di Gennaro Splendore organised and presented the session entitled “Democracy Dies in Darkness Without Official Statistics,” which brought together leading figures in the global statistical community: Juratė Petrauskienė (Director, State Data Agency of Lithuania), Steve MacFeely (Chief Statistician, OECD), Barteld Braaksma (Innovation Manager, Statistics Netherlands), Dario Buono (Eurostat), and Kumafan Shadrach Dzaan (Director, Benue State Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria).

The session explored the intricate relationship between democracy, transparency, and the integrity of national statistical systems. Speakers examined how official statistics underpin democratic accountability, how statistical independence can be safeguarded in politically sensitive environments, and how data agencies are evolving to balance openness with confidentiality in the digital age.

“Official statistics are not only numbers; they are a democratic instrument,” noted Dr Di Gennaro Splendore. “Without trustworthy data, citizens are deprived of the light they need to understand, question, and improve their societies.”

His presentation built on his recent research publications, including “Is There a Quantitative Relationship Between Democracy and Official Statistics?” (Statistical Journal of the IAOS, 2024), and his ongoing European research project on Official Statistics and Governance, which investigates how institutional design and political systems affect the integrity of national statistical offices worldwide.

Dr Di Gennaro Splendore’s participation reinforced the University of Malta’s commitment to global research excellence and international collaboration in the field of official statistics and data governance.

The ISI World Statistics Congress, organised biennially since 1887, is the world’s leading event for statisticians, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to address current and emerging challenges in statistics and data science.