Global challenges and perspectives in statistical literacy: An analysis of ISLP activities and insights from country coordinators and NSO resources

Abstract

The mission of the International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP) is to support, create and participate in statistical literacy activities and promotion around the world. The Statistical Literacy Program contributes to the understanding and better use of statistics through statistical literacy activities, especially for young people, teachers, media, decision-makers and citizens. This paper addresses the global challenges surrounding the lack of recognition of statistical literacy, emphasising that decision-makers often underestimate its importance, and the general public may not fully grasp its significance. Despite these challenges, there are worldwide efforts, such as the UN's Sustainable Development Goal on Education, to promote statistical literacy. The study analyses the visibility and understanding of statistical literacy using data from official National Statistical Office websites and survey responses from the country coordinators of the International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP). National Statistical Offices play a key role in sharing statistical literacy learning materials online to support information users in their learning. The ISLP country coordinators, expert volunteers worldwide, play a key role in enhancing statistical literacy, as revealed by the thematic survey conducted for this study. Participants in the survey were from various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania.