Abstract

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has become a powerful and effective tool in modernizing official statistics. Geospatial data enables statistical offices to produce more accurate, timely, and usable statistical data for optimal analysis. This paper reviews the experience of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) in integrating GIS into all stages of the statistical production cycle and highlights the role of spatial technology in transforming and developing data collection, analysis, and utilization within the Palestinian context.

PCBS has been using GIS in its work since 1993, but its widespread and comprehensive use began with the 2017 General Census of Population, Housing, and Establishments, where paper maps were replaced with digital maps. This transformation enabled more accurate identification of statistical coverage areas, enhanced fieldwork management, reduced operational errors, and supported real-time data monitoring and comprehensive coverage, thus contributing to improved efficiency, quality, and reliability of census data.

GIS's role extends beyond data collection; it has also enhanced the ability to analyze the data it produce. By integrating spatial layers with demographic, economic, and social indicators, it has enabled the study of population distribution, poverty patterns, social disparities, the environment, and other phenomena worthy of investigation. Furthermore, it has facilitated more effective monitoring of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GIS has also played a pivotal role in monitoring the impact of the war on the Gaza Strip through effective collaboration with numerous local, regional, and international partners. These spatial analyses provide precise, location-specific insights that inform decision-making in evidence-based planning for targeted interventions, particularly in a complex and dynamic environment like Palestine.

The use of GIS has also transformed how data is presented to users through various outputs and tools developed by PCBS. These include interactive dashboards, story maps, and different statistical atlases, as well as interactive mapping web platforms. Data is now presented in a more dynamic, user-friendly, and easy to understand. These interactive tools have contributed to changing the prevailing approach to data, enhancing user engagement, improving transparency, and leading to wider use of official statistics by government, academia, and civil society.

The paper concludes that the integration of GIS has reshaped the production and use of official statistics, enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and communication effectiveness. Looking ahead, the convergence of GIS with artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and data science offers further opportunities for innovation. Through these advancements, the PCBS continues to strengthen its position as a regional leader in geospatial statistics and a key contributor to supporting evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development, particularly in crisis contexts.