The newly revised UN CountryStats, a data visualization app based on the World Statistics Pocketbook released by UN DESA, is now available to download for free. The app, based on the 2014 edition of the Pocketbook, compares key indicators for 217 countries and areas. Updated data now covers the years 2005 to 2014.
Through the app, indicators can be seen as complete country profiles or visualized as bar graphs in country comparisons. Graphs can also be saved as favorites and the app includes detailed definitions and sources for each indicator.
“The new app makes statistics easily accessible: it puts data for countries all over the world literally at the fingertips of users”
Stefan Schweinfest Director of UN DESA’s Statistics Division
For instance, the profile of Canada shows non-statistical indicators like the currency and the date of UN membership. It also provides information about the area and the population. Moreover, key economic, social, environmental and trade indicators are now easily accessible.
Another feature is the ability to compare data with ease. For example, compare the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in just one bar graph, putting together countries as different as Chile, New Zealand and South Africa.
“Our job as Official Statisticians is not done after compiling high quality data for a wide range of themes. We are also responsible for making our product easily accessible. The new app does just that: it puts data for countries all over the world literally at the fingertips of users,” says Stefan Schweinfest, Director of UN DESA’s Statistics Division.
The UN CountryStats app has been a success, downloaded over 90,000 times from 146 countries around the world. It has received numerous reviews stating the app as interesting, easy to use and hailed as a useful reference for users. The UN CountryStats app remains the #1 app of the United Nations.
World Statistics Pocketbook, 2014 edition
The World Statistics Pocketbook, 2014 edition, is an annual compilation of key statistical indicators prepared by the UN DESA’s Statistics Division, providing basic national data ranging from agriculture and education to international finance and migration.
In addition to the World Statistics Pocketbook, the Statistics Division also produced a special issue of the Pocketbook highlighting Small Island Developing States (SIDS), giving basic social, economic and environmental indicators that together assess each State’s current development situation. This special edition coincided with the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States held in Apia, Samoa on 1-4 September.
