Proposal Description

Session Objective

The session aims to bring together recent theoretical and empirical contributions on the regional analysis of service provision, with a focus on both public and private sectors such as healthcare, education, transport, welfare, and digital services.
Its primary objective is to illustrate how regional statistics can serve as a foundation for evidence-based policymaking, supporting the identification of territorial disparities in access and quality of services and evaluating the effectiveness of regional and national policies.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the integration of different data sources and the use of advanced statistical modeling—including spatial, hierarchical, and composite indicator approaches—to capture the multidimensional nature of service systems and their regional variations.
By combining methodological rigor with applied case studies, the session intends to promote a constructive dialogue between statisticians, economists, and policy analysts engaged in territorial research.

Motivation and Relevance to the Conference

The study of regional disparities in service provision remains a crucial challenge for both researchers and policymakers. Reliable regional data and innovative statistical tools are indispensable for understanding how services are distributed, accessed, and utilized across territories.

This session contributes to the main goals of the ISI Regional Statistics Conference 2026 by addressing the intersection between statistical innovation, policy relevance, and territorial equity.
It offers a space to discuss how modern statistical methods—ranging from composite indicators to geostatistical modeling—can strengthen regional evidence for policy design, evaluation, and sustainable development.

By showcasing comparative evidence and methodological advances, the session aims to highlight the role of regional statistics in fostering cohesive, data-informed, and socially responsive governance.

Expected Contribution

The session will offer an integrated view of regional service analysis by combining theoretical innovation, methodological robustness, and empirical relevance.
It will provide insights into how statistical models can enhance the understanding of territorial disparities, guide the evaluation of policy interventions, and promote a more equitable distribution of services.

In doing so, it aligns with the overarching vision of the ISI RSC 2026 — to strengthen the role of statistics as a key instrument for knowledge advancement, regional understanding, and social impact.