Operating seamlessly, safely stewarding sensitive data resources

"The Federal statistical system provides the gold-standard for impartial, trusted Federal statistics, foundational to informing decisions across the public and private sectors. The Executive Branch, the Congress, businesses, and members of the public rely upon the Federal statistical system to provide objective, credible, and reliable data."
– Dr. Karin Orvis, U.S. Chief Statistician

• On January 15, 2025, OMB published the Fiscal Year 2023 Statistical Programs of the U.S. Government report to the Congress outlining the budgets supporting Federal statistical activities. This report fulfills the responsibility of OMB to prepare a report on statistical program funding under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This report provides the Congress with a consolidated source for key budget and program information about the Federal Statistical System.
• On January 15, 2025, OMB released guidance to agencies on implementation of the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act, also known as Title II of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. OMB Memorandum M-25-05, “Phase 2 Implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018: Open Data Access and Management,” outlines a systematic approach to open data that will better facilitate data access, subject to appropriate safeguards for privacy, confidentiality, and security.

The Federal statistical system is guided by specific laws, policies, and guidance. These are foundational for the key responsibilities of the Office of Management and Budget; statistical agencies, units, and programs; Statistical Officials; and agencies across the Federal Government.

The Federal statistical system collaborates on development of periodic and one-time products to promote understanding of its initiatives, priorities, budgets, and activities.

For questions about or assistance with completing a federal survey, connect with the federal agency conducting or sponsoring the survey. Click here to learn about the statistical agencies. Approved federal surveys are issued an official OMB control number, which must be visible on survey forms, or available by asking the interviewer.

Federal law requires agencies to have public inventories of data sets. Many are also listed on the federal government’s data catalog. To discover available data sets and apply for access to restricted and confidential data for evidence building, visit the Federal statistical system’s Standard Application Process and its growing data catalog.