Towards a harmonised methodology for statistical indicators — Part 2: Communicating through indicators - Products Manuals and Guidelines

Indicators constitute an essential resource for policy makers, business leaders and the general public. They assist an evidence-based decision making, allow comparisons to be made over time and between policies and programmes, countries and regions, social groups and industries, and contribute to increased transparency and accountability. Indicators also provide a very powerful way of communicating information.

Indicators are used in many areas of social and environmental science, economics, business, and project management. A vast empirical experience of communicating through indicators now exists. However, only limited attempts to develop a methodology for this topic have so far been carried out. The purpose of this paper is to make an initial summary of the existing best practices on this theme encompassing communication and statistical knowledge. The paper should be regarded as an occasion to raise awareness and stimulate a debate about what is good communication through statistical indicators.

This paper is the second in a series of three papers on statistical indicators published by Eurostat. A first paper on 'Indicator typologies and terminologies' was published in 2014. The third paper in the series will discuss the relevance of indicators for policy making.