Caribbean Statistics Day (CSD) was first observed in the Caribbean Community in October 2009 under the theme – “Better Statistics, Better Management, Better Development Outcomes” which was also the theme of a High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics that had been convened in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in July that year.

The observance of Caribbean Statistics Day (CSD) by National Statistics Offices and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat was agreed to by the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS). At its 33^rd meeting in Barbados in October, 2008 it was agreed that Caribbean Statistics Day will be commemorated annually on the 15^th of October.

The rationale for the observance of Caribbean Statistics Day was to highlight statistics and its crucial role across a wide spectrum of activities and sectors in government – from daily decision-making faced by individuals, businesses, students, etc. to planning, policy-making and analysis and research activities of governments, academia and other users. 

Expectations are that the observance of CSD would garner a greater profile for statistics across the Caribbean. These objectives are:

• To place statistics high on the development agenda;
• To encourage and develop a culture of statistics among the population.
• To sensitize and inform users, suppliers and producers of the importance of statistics in making informed policy decisions.

The Ministry of Planning and Development which includes the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the United Nations (UN) have all agreed to support the hosting of this country’s national event in Tobago this year.

Dates:     Thursday 15th to Friday 16th October, 2026

Venue:    Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort Conference Room

Theme:  Modernizing Data and Official Statistics for a smarter Tobago

Time: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

What you can expect:

• Regional and National presentations on the importance of statistics.
• Presentations from all THA Divisions that highlights the use of statistics within each Division.
• The launching of the Inter-Divisional Research Council (IDRC).
• Signing of a memorandum of understanding with the THA and the Ministry of Planning and Development.
• Panel Discussion on Statistics, National Development, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and the smarter future..