Jointly organized by the UN Statistics Division, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the World Bank.

Background

The demand for high-quality, disaggregated data has grown significantly, driven by the need to monitor progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address the diverse needs of populations at national and subnational levels. Many of the SDG indicators require detailed data to ensure that no one is left behind, yet national statistical offices (NSOs) often face challenges in producing reliable statistics for small geographic areas or specific population groups. Small area estimation (SAE) has emerged as a powerful methodology to address these data gaps by combining survey data with auxiliary sources such as population censuses, administrative data and geospatial information.

Out of different types of auxiliary data sources, geospatial data has been gaining tractions given its growing availability and accessibility. Complementing this with the growing emphasis on capacity-building initiatives, is critical to equipping NSOs with the knowledge and tools needed to adopt SAE methods and integrate them into their regular statistical production processes. These advancements are not only technical in nature but also foundational to supporting evidence-based policymaking, promoting equitable development, and accelerating progress toward the SDGs.

Objectives

This side event focuses on advancing the adoption of small area estimation (SAE) in national statistical offices through two major initiatives innovative use of geospatial data and capacity-building initiatives. Participants will explore the newly developed guidance on the use of geospatial data for SAE to produce more accurate and granular statistics, a joint effort of UNSD and the World Bank.

The event will also highlight the e-learning and training programmes designed to strengthen the capacities of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in adopting SAE and innovations. By showcasing practical examples, success stories, and lessons learned, the event aims to inspire actionable strategies for integrating SAE methods and fostering technical expertise in statistical systems worldwide.