Driving change with quality statistics and data for everyone: EFTA joins the United Nations in celebrating World Statistics Day 2025

On World Statistics Day 2025, EFTA highlights how timely, independent, scientifically grounded and comparable official statistics underpin effective policymaking and public trust across the EFTA States, both within the framework of the European Statistical System and beyond.

Today is World Statistics Day, a global initiative launched by the United Nations to raise awareness of the vital role of official statistics in addressing the challenges of our time and promoting their value as a foundation for evidence-based decision making. This year's theme, Driving change with quality statistics and data for everyone, reaffirms the commitment to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, which call for impartial, professionally produced and scientifically grounded data that uphold the public's right to trustworthy information.

World Statistics Day is also an opportunity for the European Statistical System, in which the EFTA States participate with the EU Member States, to reaffirm its mission of developing, producing and disseminating independent, high-quality and harmonised European statistics in the European Economic Area and beyond. European statistics help citizens, policymakers, businesses and researchers navigate complex and rapidly changing realities and make informed decisions.

To celebrate this fourth World Statistics Day, the EFTA Statistical Office is highlighting a series of key statistics about the EFTA States as part of their participation in the European and global statistical systems. From Norway's community participation to Iceland's renewable energy, Switzerland's global innovation and Liechtenstein's high life expectancy, official statistics inform and guide public strategies and policies.

Iceland: Europe's leader in renewable energy consumption

Iceland has consistently ranked first in recent years among European countries, with about 80% of its gross final energy consumption coming from renewable sources. Iceland's electricity generation relies almost entirely on geothermal and hydropower sources, illustrating the role of sustainable energy statistics in guiding policy.

Liechtenstein: Quality data for longer lives

Liechtenstein has the highest life expectancy in Europe for men and women at 84.7 years, a figure that has remained steady over the past years. This reflects not only strong healthcare and living standards, but also the importance of reliable demographic and health statistics in shaping effective public policies.

Norway: Driving change through community participation

About 80% of Norway's population participate in formal or informal voluntary activities, marking the highest share in Europe. This reflects a strong culture of community engagement, and demonstrates how social statistics help measure and support active citizenship.

Switzerland: Innovation powerhouse

Switzerland devotes more than 3% of its GDP to research and development, one of the highest shares in Europe. This reflects the country's strong commitment to global innovation, and demonstrates how official statistics help track scientific progress and knowledge-based economic growth that fosters competitiveness, job creation and ultimately people's well-being.

EFTA: Key trading partner for the European Union

Total trade in goods between the EFTA States and 27 EU Members exceeded EUR 500 billion in 2024. The EFTA States consistently rank among the EU's top five trading partners. This reflects the strong economic ties between EFTA and the EU and demonstrates how high-quality trade statistics help measure and strengthen long-standing cooperation.

More information on official statistics at EFTA can be found here.

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