Democratizing Official Statistics: Insights and Recommendations from the Greek Experience

Abstract

This paper explores the strategic initiatives undertaken by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) in the pursuit of data democratization, with a focus on the dissemination of official statistics to a wider audience through the utilization of social media platforms, infographics, visual dashboards and infovideos. As the demand for accessible and comprehensible statistical information continues to grow, ELSTAT has recognized the importance of adapting to evolving communication trends to make statistical data more approachable and relevant to the general public. Drawing upon theoretical perspectives on visual communication, the paper analyzes a case study that illustrates ELSTAT's approach from the recent experiences of the dissemination of the 2021 Population-Housing Census Results. This paper showcases successful examples of how ELSTAT leverages modern communication channels to bridge the gap between complex statistical data and the broader population. By embracing social networks and visual storytelling tools, ELSTAT has not only enhanced data accessibility but has also facilitated a deeper understanding of the significance and implications of official statistics by creating meaningful visual narratives. This evolution signifies a broader paradigm shift—from data presentation to data interpretation—where storytelling becomes the key to fostering statistical literacy, transparency, and public trust. This research contributes to the broader discourse on data democratization by highlighting the challenges, strategies, and outcomes of ELSTAT's efforts in Greece. Furthermore, it underscores the potential for similar initiatives in other regions, emphasizing the pivotal role of data democratization and statistical literacy in fostering informed decision-making and civic engagement in the twenty-first century. The paper concludes that structured collaboration between statisticians and designers, along with transparent infographic criteria, is essential to balance accessibility and impartiality.

Keywords

Data democratization narrative-driven approach visual storytelling data visualization infographics data dissemination statistical literacy

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