Worldview Statistics

Today, the role of official statistics as a science of the state and that of the statistician is viewed rather critically due to the many negative experiences. In addition, current developments—for example, digitalisation, globalisation and climate change—are increasingly calling into question traditional concepts and procedures of statistical work and their interaction with politics. However, it would be necessary to find ways to improve these concepts and the relationship between statistics and political action so that reliable and high-quality statistical data can be presented on current developments. Comprehensive internationally comparable data make it possible to conduct broad statistical studies in many areas. The best examples of this are population statistics, but also income and wealth statistics—thanks to intensive cooperation between national and international institutions. Cross-national statistics are also available for the global assessment of climate and its changes. With demographic development, migration and climate change, the most pressing issues of our time are statistically described and illustrated in this chapter. High population growth in many regions of the world, the unequal distribution of income and wealth, and climate change all contribute to poverty and increasing migration. A wide range of comparable statistical data is shown to measure these phenomena. The data are harmonized and compiled in close cooperation between national and international organizations. It is up to policymakers to use these data sets as the basis for cross-national population development or climate policy decisions to avert disasters and set the course for a happier future. But times are not so rosy.