Statistics matter.

That was the message on Oct. 14 when government joined its regional counterparts in observing Caribbean Statistics Day.

“Statistics Day gives the Statistics Department the opportunity to tout the benefits of statistics and the indispensable role it plays in the socioeconomic development of the Virgin Islands,” Central Statistics Office Director Raymond Phillips said this month in an interview with the Department of Information and Public Relations.

CSD is observed on Oct. 15 each year across the Caribbean.
Here, the CSO hosted “Meet the Staff Day” at its Road Town offices with the aim of encouraging data sharing and teaching residents about the importance of statistics in decision making, planning, policy formulation and research, according to government.

“It has been a difficult but ongoing task to impress upon the population (and other data providers) the importance of having statistics readily available,” Mr. Phillips said. “This could only be possible if the data providers cooperate with the efforts of the Statistics Department when executing data collection exercises.”

During the Oct. 15 event, members of the public were offered the opportunity to meet various staff members at the CSO.

“The office also strives to sensitise government officials, the private sector and the general public about what they produce, how they are produced, and how these products can be used,” Mr. Phillips said.

The CSO exhibition showcased VI statistics of general interest and explained how they are generated and used.