Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Today, the world marks World Statistics Day, a global occasion celebrated every five years to highlight the importance of reliable data, transparency, and informed decision-making. Statistics are more than just numbers; they are powerful tools to shape policies, track progress, and reveal truths that can no longer be ignored.
For Palestine, statistics are not only a technical matter—they are a form of resistance and documentation. For decades, Palestinian institutions such as the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) have worked under occupation to collect, analyse, and share data about Palestinian society, economy, health, education, and the ongoing impacts of occupation.
These numbers tell a human story:
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Over 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza face severe humanitarian conditions.
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More than 80% of Gazans rely on humanitarian aid.
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Land confiscation, settlement expansion, and movement restrictions continue to shape daily life for Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
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Unemployment and poverty rates remain among the highest in the world, not because of a lack of potential, but because of systemic restrictions imposed by occupation.
Accurate statistics are crucial for international accountability, humanitarian response, and future reconstruction. They preserve facts against denial and erasure, ensuring that the Palestinian narrative is backed by credible, documented evidence.
On World Statistics Day, we honour Palestinian statisticians, researchers, and institutions who work under immense pressure to bring truth to light. Their work helps the world understand the reality on the ground and strengthens the global call for justice and human rights.
📊 “Good data tells powerful stories. For Palestine, it tells the story of a people who refuse to be erased.”
Palestine Forum of New Zealand
