Library Guides: Find Statistical Data: Home

What are statistics?

Statistics are created from collected data that is a result of research, a study, an experiment, or a survey.
Data is the primary source. It is usually in the form of a digital set that can be analysed using software. Datasets are groupings of data.
Statistics provide an interpretation and summary of the data and are the result of data analysis.

Where can I find statistics?

Key Statistics Sources

Consider who might collect the statistics your require and then where these statistics might be published!

The following are some key sources of statistical information:.

Government agencies and departments - official statistics and other statistical data are freely available on their websites.
- for example: Stats NZ, Ministry of Health
Local, Regional and Global organisations - provide statistical information and may have open statistical data sets.
- for example: Figure.NZ; Pacific Community (Statistics for Development Division); United Nations (Statistics Division)
Professional organisations can also have useful survey data and reports on their websites
- for example: Business New Zealand, Sport NZ
Journal Articles - research reporting statistical information can be found in articles and books via
- Library Search, Library databases, AUT Google Scholar
Databases - see the box at the end of this page for a selection of statistical databases.

Official statistics

Country Statistics

Governments gather official statistics relating to their countries via a central agency, for example:

To find more country agencies go to the list provided by the United Nations Statistics Division:

National Statistical Offices
Click on the region heading to find national offices. For example, under Oceania you will find Australia and the Pacific Island countries.

Data portals

Some countries also provide portals to help people discover open datasets released by government organisations, for example:

Data.govt.nz
Search for and download thousands of freely usable datasets released by New Zealand Government organisations.
Data.govt.au
Access the anonymised public data published by Australian federal, state and local government agencies.

Regional statistics

There are regional statistical agencies who work with national agencies to provide official statistics. Key regional agencies are:

EUROSTAT
The statistical office of the European Union.
Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division
Provides data collection, analysis and dissemination on Pacific countries.

Databases

EMED Emerging Asia
AUT Library database - available on campus only.
Economic and financial data for 20 major emerging markets in Asia, organised into 22 broad categories for easy cross reference.
NZ Time Series
AUT Library database - available on campus only.
Economic, financial and social time series from Stats NZ, The Reserve Bank of NZ, the NZ Treasury and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Infoshare
A Stats NZ database which contains a wide range of time series data.
OECD iLibrary: Statistics
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development portal to databases, indicators and statistical series.
OECD.Stat
Access statistics for OECD countries by:
- entering a topic keyword in the search box OR
- selecting the relevant theme from the left-hand menu.
World Development Indicators
A World Bank database providing high-quality, internationally comparable statistics about global development.
Includes social, economic, financial, natural resources and environmental indicators.