Why Standards Matter
Applying consistent methods and statistical standards allows BNSI to:
Methodology & Standards
The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) is dedicated to producing accurate, high-quality, and consistent statistics.
Our methodology follows international frameworks, ensuring that all data published for The Bahamas meets the highest global standards and can be reliably compared worldwide.
To promote transparency and consistency, BNSI adopts internationally recognized statistical classifications. Learn more about the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) Classifications and the international standards that guide official statistics.
Our Methodological Framework
BNSI's methodological approach is built around international guidelines, professional training, and continuous quality assurance.
Our teams apply standardized methods for data collection, sampling, processing, and analysis, ensuring that results are valid and reproducible.
Key frameworks include:
- UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics
- CARICOM Regional Statistics Strategy
- IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF)
- International best practices from OECD and other standards bodies
Data Quality and Ethics
All BNSI operations follow rigorous data quality checks and professional standards for confidentiality, protecting personal and household-level data. Information collected is aggregated and published with privacy safeguards in line with the Statistics Act, 2021.
View Privacy & Ethics PolicyOfficial Statistical Classifications
BNSI uses globally recognized classification systems to organize, report, and compare data. These classifications support consistent reporting across sectors and allow users to interpret data easily.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
BNSI classifies household consumption following the United Nations Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) framework, enabling consistent and comparable price measurements.
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Education, Training & Learning
Education statistics use the UNESCO International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011), aligning educational categories and levels with international standards for accurate reporting.
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International Merchandise Trade
BNSI uses the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Rev. 4 for trade data, harmonizing Bahamas trade statistics with global trade reporting systems.
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International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Rev. 4
The International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Rev. 4 is the United Nations' international standard for classifying economic activities, used by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) to organize, analyze, and publish official economic statistics in a consistent manner that supports national decision-making and international comparability.
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International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Rev. 5
The International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Rev. 5 is the latest revision of the United Nations' international standard for classifying economic activities, incorporating updated industry classifications that enable the Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) to produce official statistics that reflect the modern economy while maintaining international comparability.
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Labour and Industry
BNSI uses the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) for labour and industry statistics. ISCO-08 is a four-level hierarchically structured classification that allows all jobs in the world to be classified into 436 unit groups.
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