Making data speak: Innovative tools and techniques for dissemination and communication of statistics
THE PROJECT
The European Statistical System (ESS) Innovation Agenda aims to meet the fast-rising demand for new, more timely and detailed statistics, in the context of a rapidly evolving data ecosystem.
Supporting these objectives, the project entitled ‘Improving dissemination and communication of official statistics’ aims to improve the dissemination of official statistics and develop new and innovative visualisation tools for statistical dissemination.
More specifically, the project’s key activities are to:
improve dissemination and communication of official statistics and to be more innovative in aspects of corporate communication;
communicate also to new and potential users of statistics;
use tools such as social media, interactive dashboards, infographics, storytelling, digital publications, for statistical communication;
develop new and innovative visualisation tools to disseminate statistics, considering the different profiles of users;
share best practices in innovative visualisation tools and techniques among Member States.
THE MOTIVATION
The project has been developed to improve how statistics are disseminated and communicated.
It has been motivated by a desire to enable existing, new and potential users of statistics to quickly and easily view, read and understand newly published statistics. More broadly, it also seeks to raise awareness among the general public about the role that innovation plays within the ESS.
The project builds on the work previously carried out in the framework of Eurostat’s Expert group on dissemination of European statistics.
THE METHODOLOGY
Eurostat’s approach to dissemination and communication is centred on accessibility, innovation, and user engagement. By leveraging modern tools and techniques, Eurostat ensures that official statistics are not only accurate but also visually engaging, easily understandable, and tailored to diverse user profiles. It is achieved through a wide range of user-centric, interactive tools that cater to various user needs:
Interactive dashboards: provide dynamic and customisable visual representations of data, allowing users to explore statistics in an engaging way and can be discovered on the data visualisations page.
Themed dashboards: focusing on topics like the environment, economy, energy and population, these dashboards present data through maps, charts, and timelines. For example, Eurostat’s SDG Dashboard tracks progress on Sustainable Development Goals.
A full overview of datasets published by Eurostat is available via Eurostat’s Data Browser which offers a list of datasets and links to interactive tables and charts.
Digital publications: online publications that combine storytelling with statistics to enhance readability and engagement such as Regions in Europe, which integrates maps, charts, and animations.
Infographics and storytelling: concise visuals paired with explanatory narratives are used to highlight key findings and trends such as in Eurostat’s Infographics Library.
All these tools are available on the Eurostat website which regularly publishes news articles, releases calendars and information about new products.
Finally, on social media, Eurostat communicates its insights on platforms widely used by the general public to increase outreach. Eurostat utilises social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube to share short videos, snapshots, and highlights of statistical findings.
MORE INFORMATION
THE TEAM
Eurostat: Unit B.4 - Dissemination and user support, Unit ESTAT.01 - External and interinstitutional relations; Communication.
Expert group on ESS strategic communication.
Expert group on dissemination of European statistics.
LAST UPDATE: January 2025
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