Abstract

National averages can suggest progress while concealing inequalities between communities and places. When official statistics do not provide the detail needed to reveal these differences, or are not openly accessible and usable, the needs of communities at risk of being left behind can be overlooked in public decisions. Inclusive data are essential for making these disparities visible, informing policies and resource allocation, and understanding whether progress is reaching everyone.

This presentation will examine how two complementary assessment tools developed by Open Data Watch—the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) and the Inclusive Data Compass—can help identify gaps in the availability, openness, and inclusiveness of official statistics.

Drawing on the 2026/27 ODIN assessment, the presentation will begin with an overview of the availability and openness of official statistics across countries, highlighting broader patterns and persistent challenges in making data publicly accessible and reusable.

The presentation will then focus on the Inclusive Data Compass, which assesses how well national statistical systems support inclusive data. The Compass examines the availability and openness of data for six communities: women and girls; older persons; persons with disabilities; Indigenous peoples; migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons; and LGBTQ+ people. It assesses whether data are sufficiently disaggregated, available over time, and accessible at subnational levels. It also examines the enabling environment for inclusive data production, including statistical capacity, financing, rights, and safeguards.

Together, these assessments provide complementary perspectives on where gaps in official statistics persist and the conditions needed to address them. The presentation will explore how their findings can help countries identify priorities for strengthening national statistical systems, improving data availability and openness, and supporting more inclusive and effective policymaking.