The Government of the Virgin Islands today joins its regional counterparts - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) – to raise awareness on the importance of statistics on the occasion of Caribbean Statistics Day, observed annually on October 15.

The observance is being held under the theme: ‘Improving the Lives of People - Advancing the Action Plan for Statistics in CARICOM’.

Director of the Central Statistics Office, Mr. Raymond Phillips said the annual observance of Caribbean Statistics Day helps to raise the profile of statistics and its daily use. Additionally, the observance highlights the importance of agencies producing timely and accurate statistics, and also provides an opportunity to educate the public on the need to critically analyse the statistics generated.

Mr. Phillips explained that statistics are widely used to support policy development and in measuring the social and economic health of countries. He noted that in many instances, where there is a lack of understanding on the usefulness of statistics in the public and private sectors, the information is often taken for granted. 

He added, “We continue our work to foster increased collaboration with data producing or statistical units in agencies and departments of government, and to sensitise the public on the importance of statistics for making informed policy decisions.”

In May this year, the Central Statistics Office launched its live statistics page on the Government’s website at http://www.bvi.gov.vg/statistics, where persons can access various types of statistics such as the consumer price index, tourism statistics, births, deaths and financial services.

The creation of the page illustrates the department’s commitment to being the primary source of statistical information in the Virgin Islands and being equipped to meet the needs of clients in the provision of timely and accurate information.

The Territory’s observance of Caribbean Statistics Day is in line with the Government of the Virgin Islands’ mission to collaborate with regional counterparts, in addition to highlighting its commitment to enhanced data collection and production.

The Central Statistics Office is mandated to monitor, research, and report on the performance of the Virgin Islands’ economy in all important aspects including output, growth, income and employment, interest rates, prices; and short-term and long-term structural changes.