About Us

Established in 1885, the International Statistical Institute is a non-profit, non-government organisation, with individual and institutional members in over 150 countries. 

It's main objective is to promote the understanding, development, and good practice of statistics worldwide by providing a welcoming environment for advancing statistical knowledge, learning best practices, sharing state-of-the-art developments, and by creating opportunities to network.

 

138 Years of History

Throughout its 138 years of history, the ISI has been a truly international organisation that has been bringing together statisticians of all different specializations and from different parts of the world to realise its mission of good understanding, development, and practice of Statistics.

Consultative Status with the United Nations

Since 1947 the ISI has had consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This allows us to participate in the annual meeting of the United Nations Statistical Commission and other relevant United Nations' activities.

Network Around the World

The ISI network includes most of the national statistical offices around the world, and it also has links with international statistical organisations from the United Nations and others, and selected professional societies.

The international statistical community has provided me with robust challenge and support throughout my career. That's what colleagues do! And that's what you will find at the ISI.

Stephen Penneck, ISI President (2021-2023)

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ISI Family

The ISI, its seven Associations and its organisational members make up the ISI family with members from over 150 countries. 

Our work and influence within the international statistical community are supported by standing and operational committees, special interest groups and regional networks. We cover a range of statistical areas and interests. 

The ISI comprises a central core of eminent statisticians and seven Associations, each focusing on a different area of statistics. 

ISI's Portfolio

Our biennial World Statistics Congresses are well known and bring together several thousands of statisticians. 

In addition, numerous smaller meetings, conferences and workshops take place under the auspices of the ISI and its Associations

The ISI’s portfolio also includes the publication of several professional and scientific journals

The ISI’s Permanent Office, located in The Hague in The Netherlands, supports the members of ISI and its Associations.

Global Reach

The ISI is unmatched in its global reach among statisticians and those interested in the field of statistics. 

We are also an association which connects to many international and national organisations, including national statistical societies, with a special focus on organisations in or supporting developing regions of the world. 

A majority of the world’s central bureaus of statistics and many central banks are represented within the ISI network of institutional members. 

associations
7
Committees
21
countries
150
year of establishment
1885

Organisation Structure

The ISI is led by the ISI Executive Committee (EC) and the Council. The EC and Council report to the ISI members via Annual Reports and during the General Assembly, which meets annually. Individual ISI members constitute the General Assembly, which is responsible for final decisions and approvals such as changes to the Statutes and appointment of the members of the EC.

Mission & Strategy

The ISI Mission is to lead, support and promote the understanding, development and good practice of statistics worldwide, by providing the core global network for statistics.

Founders of Statistics

John Arbuthnot
1667-1735
John Arbuthnot

Famous for test of hypothesis of gender ratio

AL-KINDI, THE FATHER OF CRYPTANALYSIS
801-873
Abu Al-Kindi

Father of Cryptanalysis (statistical cryptography)

Hirotugo Akaike
1927 – 2009
Hirotugo Akaike

Famous for model selection

Photo Credits: The Institute of Statistical Mathematics 

Gottfried Achenwall
1719-1722
Gottfried Achenwall

Coined German word Statistik

Recognition and capacity development

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Prestigious awards of ISI and its Associations recognize statistical achievements and accomplishments. 

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ISI obtains and administers support for members from low and middle income countries / regions to attend an extensive variety of international conferences. For starters, they receive extra discount on the registration fee for our World Statistics Congresses.

Book

We also develop and deliver statistical capacity development programmes, often in partnership with other stakeholders. These programmes include workshops/webinars to develop skills, and leadership and mentoring programs.

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ISI organizes activities to promote the careers of young statisticians.

64th ISI World Statistics Congress

WSC 2025 will take place from 5 to 9 October 2025 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Next WSC