Friday 23rd October 2026.
Today, the National Statistics Office and, with it, the Malta Statistics Authority, celebrate 25 years of service to our country.
However, as I indicated in my contribution to our commemorative publication, the history of official statistics in Malta extends far beyond these 25 years. It is a legacy stretching back hundreds of years, and one which I am confident will continue for many generations to come.
So, what makes these past 25 years so special?
I believe the answer lies in a remarkable journey of continuous transformation. A journey in which one transformation has followed another, each responding to the changing needs of society and each guided by a common objective: to deliver a better, more relevant and more reliable service to the public.
The first major transformation came with the establishment of the National Statistics Office in 2001. Before then, official statistics formed part of the wider public service and, at different times, operated within broader ministerial portfolios. While the collection and compilation of statistics had long been an established function of public administration, the creation of the NSO represented a fundamental change in the way this responsibility was organised and carried out.
For the first time, Malta had a professional office dedicated exclusively to the production and dissemination of official statistics. This was much more than a change in organisational structure. It represented the development of a distinct professional identity, an environment in which statistical expertise could flourish, and an institutional culture built around quality, integrity and service to the public.
The second major transformation followed shortly afterwards, as Malta prepared for membership of the European Union and integration into the European Statistical System. This was a defining period, bringing with it a new level of responsibility, greater expectations and the need to adopt common European statistical standards and methodologies.
The NSO had to strengthen its institutional and technical capacity, harmonise its statistical processes and respond to increasingly demanding reporting obligations. Equally importantly, this period reinforced the principles of professional independence, accountability and statistical quality.
Malta’s official statistics expanded beyond the compilation of national requirements. They became part of a much wider European statistical framework, contributing to the information upon which decisions are taken at both national and European levels.
These developments required considerable investment in people, knowledge and systems. They also demanded a willingness to embrace change and a recognition that official statistics must continuously evolve if they are to remain relevant and trusted.
And today, 25 years later, we find ourselves facing yet another transformation, one which may prove to be just as significant as those that preceded it.
We are living in an age in which information is generated at an unprecedented pace. Technological developments are fundamentally changing how data are collected, processed, analysed and communicated. Society increasingly expects information to be available almost immediately, and the traditional distinction between the production of statistics and their use in decision-making is becoming ever narrower.
Our challenge today is therefore not simply to produce accurate and reliable statistics, but to produce them more efficiently, more frequently and, wherever possible, in almost real time.
Artificial intelligence, automation, alternative data sources and new analytical technologies offer opportunities to rethink established statistical processes and develop new ways of serving our users. These developments have the potential to reduce reporting burdens, improve efficiency and provide a more timely understanding of economic and social developments.
Yet, as we embrace these opportunities, we must remain conscious of the responsibilities that accompany them.
Indeed, in a world increasingly overwhelmed by information, the importance of trusted and independent official statistics becomes even greater.
Looking back over these 25 years, we can therefore appreciate how far we have travelled: from establishing a dedicated professional statistical institution, to becoming an integral part of the European Statistical System, and now to preparing ourselves for an era in which technology and data innovation will redefine the way official statistics are produced.
Throughout these transformations, one principle has remained unchanged. Official statistics exist to serve the public interest.
Statistics are not simply numbers presented in tables, charts or publications. They provide the evidence upon which policies are formulated, decisions are taken and progress is measured. They help us understand our economy, our society and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The Malta Statistics Authority has an important role in this journey, providing governance and oversight while supporting the institutional framework within which the National Statistics Office exercises its professional responsibilities. Its role is particularly important in safeguarding the principles of independence, accountability and public trust that must remain at the heart of our national statistical system.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we should therefore regard the past 25 years not as a completed chapter, but as the foundation for the years ahead.
On this important occasion, I wish to acknowledge the contribution of all those who have been part of this journey, past and present. The achievements we celebrate today are the result of their professionalism, dedication and willingness to adapt to an ever-changing environment.
We are the custodians of a statistical legacy spanning many years. Over the past 25 years, we have strengthened and transformed that legacy. It is now our responsibility to ensure that it continues to evolve, remaining relevant, reliable and trusted for generations to come.
