Latvia transforms its national statistical system (CSB)

The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) is a government agency that reports to the Ministry of Economy and is responsible for producing the official statistics in Latvia. The key task of the CSB is to create a unified national statistical information system that is based on international standards and methodology in order to provide local and foreign users with timely, accurate, complete, easy to understand and internationally comparable economic, demographic, social and environmental statistics. Relying on positive past experiences and qualified staff, the CSB made the decision in 2004 to revamp its statistical information system and base it on Microsoft SQL 2000 and Microsoft Office.

Policy Context

Under the planned economy during the Soviet rule, the methodology of statistics, data collection and processing was strictly centralized and regulated, and the data was processed in Moscow. After the restoration of Latvia's independence, the Central Statistics Bureau (State Statistics Commitee until 1998) started to build a new base for the statistical system in response to the emergence of a market economy.

Technology solution

Microsoft SQL 2000 and Microsoft Office. Technology choice: Standards-based technology

Main results, benefits and impacts

Benefits for the Central Statistical Bureau: - Efficient system service; - Reduction in staff; - Easy to use system; - "A programming free system"; - Standardized statistical data processing system and processes; - Better data analysis using Microsoft OLAP technologies; - Internet enabled queastionnaires; - Increase system availability; - Improved statistical data quality.

Return on investment

Return on investment: Not applicable / Not available

Lessons learnt

The main learning point is that a unified statistical information system on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft Office has given the agency the ability to make and edit surveys without the assistance of programmers, provided extensive opportunities for data mining, reduced the system service costs and increased statistical data quality. Scope: National