Room : P02

The National Bank of Belgium produces a wide range of official statistics that provide reliable, independent and internationally comparable information on the economy and society. These statistics are a public good: they support evidence-based policymaking, inform businesses and citizens, and contribute to transparency and democratic accountability. At a time when data are abundant but trust is increasingly challenged, the role of official statistics is more important than ever

The presentation first examines what official statistics are, why they are produced under strict quality and independence principles, and how they contribute to the public interest. It then explores the major developments currently reshaping economic statistics, including the implementation of the new System of National Accounts (SNA 2025) and European System of Accounts (ESA 2029). These revisions aim to better capture key contemporary issues such as sustainability, well-being, digitalisation and globalisation, while moving beyond traditional aggregate economic indicators.

Finally, the presentation discusses the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence creates for official statistics. AI has the potential to transform the statistical production process and improve efficiency, but it also raises important questions regarding trust, transparency, governance, communication and future skills. The challenge for statistical institutions is to embrace innovation while preserving the quality, credibility and public value that underpin official statistics.

Bio

Roeland Beerten is Chief Statistician and head of the Statistics Department at the National Bank of Belgium, with responsibility for national accounts, financial statistics and data governance.  Before that he was Chief Statistician of Flanders, Belgium, where he established the Flanders Statistics Authority to coordinate the official statistics system for the government of Flanders.  Prior to his work in Belgium he worked at the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) in various roles for over 14 years, and as Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Royal Statistical Society in London.  He is a member of several advisory  committees, including the Statistics Scotland Advisory Committee and the Advisory Board of the journal Data & Policy (Cambridge University Press).