Proposal Description

Statistical agencies gather a wide range of unit-level data (micro data) for statistical production either direct from the data subjects, from governmental registers or from other data sources. The statistical agencies thus become data repositories for a wide variety of unit-level data it is of importance to find ways to provide researchers and analysts with not only the official ready-made statistical tables but also with services for access to micro data. Micro data is essential for evidence-based decision-making as it allows researchers and analysts servicing policymakers to conduct in-depth analysis and generate insights into various social, economic, and demographic trends. By examining individual-level data, researchers and analysts can identify patterns, disparities, and correlations that may not be apparent at aggregated levels and thereby empower decision-makers to formulate policies grounded in robust empirical evidence.

Access to micro data needs to be regulated to protect individual privacy and confidentiality. Statistical agencies, that provide access to microdata for researchers and analysts, adopt strict confidentiality protocols and data dissemination policies. But, as the availability of micro data can greatly enhance the quality and effectiveness of evidence-based decision-making processes in society, the statistical agencies have an important role to undertake also as micro data providers. This session will provide insight on different countries’ efforts to make the micro data gathered for statistical purposes widely used in research and analysis, in order to enhance evidence-based decisions. The presentations will touch on the importance of providing services such as metadata catalogues, research datasets, safe environments for handling data, ways to link data etc while at the same time adopting different confidentiality measures and maintaining the citizen’ s trust.