The numbers have spoken!

The Croatian Bureau of Statistics presents Statcast, a new podcast exploring statistics and the stories behind the numbers

Statistics don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, they just need a voice. That is why, on 20 October, European Statistics Day, which marks its 10th anniversary this year under the theme "European Statistics at a Crossroads: Priorities, Opportunities and Constraints", the Croatian Bureau of Statistics is launching Statcast - Numbers That Speak, a new podcast revealing the fascinating stories behind the numbers.

How much of a role have statistics already played in your life today? Perhaps you’ve read a news report about rising prices, compared salaries, checked how many tourists have visited Croatia or come across data on the population. Statistics are all around us, even when we’re not aware of them.

Have you ever wondered who collects all these data and how they are produced? If so, we have something for you. If not, perhaps it’s time you started!

Statistics beyond tables and graphs

With the launch of Statcast, the Croatian Bureau of Statistics is creating a new space for discussions about official statistics, their role in society and topics that affect us all. The goal is simple: to show that statistics are more than just tables, graphs and percentages. They are a valuable source of information that helps us better understand the world we live in.

At a time when we are exposed to vast amounts of information every day, it is increasingly important to be able to identify reliable data, understand their context and interpret them correctly. To this end, Statcast features conversations that turn complex statistical concepts into accessible stories, connect data to real life and reveal the people and processes behind the official figures.

A podcast for anyone who has ever asked themselves: "But what does that actually mean?"

You don’t need to be a statistician to follow Statcast. You don’t need to know formulas, understand every economic indicator or study statistical publications every day. All you need is curiosity. Statcast is intended for anyone who wants to better understand the data they encounter in everyday life and make decisions based on verified information.

What will the numbers speak about?

Each episode of Statcast will explore a new topic in the world of official statistics and connect it to issues of public interest. We will discuss prices, GDP, the population, the labour market, education, living conditions and many other areas that shape our daily lives. We will also pay special attention to statistical literacy - the ability to understand and critically interpret data. We will explain how official statistical data are produced, dispel common misconceptions and show why a single number, without the proper context, may not tell the whole story.

Through conversations with experts from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics and guests from various fields, we will explore how the field of statistics is evolving, how new technologies are transforming the way we work with data, and what the future role of official statistics will be. And sometimes, we might even discover that statistics can be more entertaining than they seem at first glance.

First episode: "Statistics Today, Tomorrow"

To kick off Statcast, we have chosen a topic that explores statistics as we know them today and considers what lies ahead. In the first episode, "Statistics Today, Tomorrow," our guest is Lidija Brković, Director General of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. She discusses the role of official statistics, trust in data, the challenges of the digital age, and the changes brought about by new technologies and artificial intelligence.

What does the journey from data collection to the publication of official statistics look like? Can a perfectly accurate figure create a misleading picture? How is trust in data built? In the future, will it be more important to have access to more data or to understand the data we already have better? These are just some of the questions addressed in the first episode.

Where can you watch and listen to Statcast?
Statcast will be available on the Croatian Bureau of Statistics’ official YouTube channel and on Spotify, where you can watch full episodes. On our official Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn profiles, we will share the most engaging clips, key takeaways, questions and interesting facts from each conversation.

This means you can follow Statcast in whichever way suits you best, whether by watching full episodes or enjoying short-form content that reveals the stories behind individual figures in just a few moments.

The numbers have found a voice. It’s time to listen!

Statcast represents another step towards communicating official statistics in a more open, accessible and understandable way. We want to spark curiosity, encourage new questions and show that data are not something detached from our daily lives. Quite the opposite: they help us better understand society, the changes unfolding around us and the world we live in.
A number on its own may be just a number, but when placed in context, it becomes a story. And from now on, those stories have a voice of their own.

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