UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Published purpose

This grant represents Canada’s long-term institutional support to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics (UIS). The UIS uses these funds and other donors’ funding to achieve its mandate. It seeks to develop and provide the international community with consistent, accurate and relevant data to guide its decisions in a growing political, economic, and social environment that is continuously changing and more complex. The UIS is the source of education statistics. It serves UNESCO Member States, the United Nations system, a range of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and universities. The UIS has working relationships with over 70 countries and serves as the custodian and monitor of internationally comparable data in 200 countries surveyed annually for literacy statistics. The UIS provides reliable data for countries to improve the measurement of critical issues, such as learning outcomes, gender equality in education, and financing for primary and secondary education. The institute seeks to provide clear strategies, including up-to-date and reliable data, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The UIS, guided by the Medium-Term Strategy -2022- 2029, aims to collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to collect, compile, and publish data. It also seeks to avoid duplication and promote using the information collected with clearly defined outcomes.