The Italian National Institute of Statistics is a public research organisation. It has been present in Italy since 1926, and is the main producer of official statistics in the service of citizens and policy-makers. It operates in complete independence and continuous interaction with the academic and scientific communities.
Since 1989 Istat has been performing the role of directing, coordinating, and providing technical assistance and training within the National Statistical System (Sistan). The System was established under Legislative Decree 322/89 in order to rationalise the production and publication of information and to optimise resources allocated to official statistics.
Sistanis made up of Istat, central and branch statistical departments of Public Administrations, of local and regional bodies, Chambers of Commerce, other public bodies and administrations providing statistical information.

Mission

The mission of the Italian National Institute of Statistics is to serve the community by producing and communicating high-quality statistical information, analyses and forecasts in complete independence and in accordance with the strictest ethical and professional principles and most up-to-date scientific standards, in order to develop detailed knowledge of Italy's environmental, economic and social dimensions at various levels of geographical detail and to assist all members of society (citizens, administrators, etc.) in decision-making processes.

Vision

Istat aims to be an innovative administration which is committed to serving the community by placing value on the professionalism and integrity of its staff, creating appropriate working conditions and minimising its impact on the environment.
Istat respects the privacy of respondents, protects the confidentiality of the data that it gathers and carries out its activities in a transparent, independent manner. Istat is oriented towards seeking to use available resources in the most effective, efficient way possible, promotes the development of Sistan and works with other organisations within the National Statistical System and public administration, with the research community and with civil society, with the additional purpose of improving the level of awareness and understanding with regard to statistics. Istat is a member of the European Statistical System and works with other organisations within the international statistical system.

Long-term strategic objectives

1. To evaluate information requirements through ongoing dialogue with users.
2. To produce relevant statistical information for national and international users in accordance with the highest standards of quality, as well as strict ethical and professional principles.
3. To conduct methodological, applied research with the aim of improving processes involved in the production of statistical information, and to contribute to knowledge of Italy's environmental, economic and social dimensions.
4. To develop the National Statistical System in order to extend the range and quality of statistical information provided to the community, while optimising levels of coordination and efficiency within the system.
5. To foster the coordinated development of information systems employed by public administration as well as their use for statistical purposes in such a way as to increase the amount of information available, while maximising the integration of sources and minimising the statistical load upon respondents.
6. To contribute to the development of the European Statistical System and promote international cooperation in the field of statistics.
7. To publish and communicate effectively statistical information and results of analyses conducted in order to foster awareness of Italy's economic, social and environmental dimensions and to improve decision-making processes on the part of private subjects and public institutions.
8. To promote training and education in the field of statistics in order to improve understanding, on the part of both institutions and private citizens, of the information produced regarding Italy's environmental, economic and social dimensions, and to foster the appropriate use of this information.
9. To sustain the production of statistics through high-quality administrative and management processes.
10. To develop human capital and improve staff working conditions.