Celebrating European Statistics Day together with students

The State Statistical Office celebrated European Statistics Day, 20 October, by participating in an event organised by the Faculty of Economics. The event focused on young people, statistical literacy, and the opportunities offered by new technologies in the use of official statistical data.

This year, as we mark the tenth anniversary of European Statistics Day, special emphasis was placed on bringing statistics closer to students and strengthening cooperation with the academic community.

In today’s world, data represent a new form of capital, and knowing how to use them is one of the most important skills of the modern era. That is why statistical literacy has become indispensable not only for professionals, but also for all young people who want to understand economic and social processes, critically evaluate information, and make evidence-based decisions.

The event was also used to present the Statistical Assistant of the State Statistical Office – MakStatAI, an innovative, artificial intelligence-based solution that the Office is developing to simplify and modernise access to official statistical data.

The tool was presented by the Director of the State Statistical Office, Dejan Stankov, PhD, who highlighted the possibilities offered by the application of artificial intelligence in the dissemination of statistical data.

Presenting this tool to students is particularly significant, as it demonstrates that statistics is not merely a collection of tables and figures, but a dynamic field that evolves alongside technology, offering new opportunities for research, learning, and decision making.

By participating in this event, the State Statistical Office reaffirms its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the academic community, promoting statistical literacy, and fostering greater interest in official statistics among young people.

The aim is for this initiative to grow into a traditional annual event, creating a space for interaction and the exchange of knowledge among statisticians, professors, and students. The intention is for young people to perceive statistics not merely as an academic subject, but as an engaging, accessible, and useful tool for understanding the world around them.

The theme for this year’s European Statistics Day, "European statistics at a crossroad: priorities, opportunities and constraints", further highlights the need to adapt official statistics to new technologies and the evolving needs of users.

With the development of MakStatAI and activities aimed at young people, the State Statistical Office is taking steps towards making statistics closer, easier to understand, and more accessible to everyone.