Strong public institutions depend not only on reliable data but also on people’s ability to use it effectively. Building data literacy is therefore essential for improving policymaking, strengthening public administration, and promoting sustainable economic development.
This vision was highlighted at the regional Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) Conference in Almaty, organized by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
During the conference, Zhandos Shaimardanov, Chairman of the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan, presented the Data Literacy Hub – an educational platform developed by the Bureau with support from international partners to improve statistical and data literacy across the country.
“The platform is designed to strengthen statistical literacy and foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making through practical, Kazakhstan-specific learning materials. By increasing demand for quality data among citizens and public institutions, we can ultimately improve the quality of decisions that shape the country’s development,” said Zhandos Shaimardanov.
The platform offers learning pathways ranging from introductory courses to advanced training in data analytics. The basic Data Literacy course has already been integrated into the curriculum of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan for newly recruited civil servants and is also freely available to the public.
By equipping civil servants and citizens with practical data skills, the initiative supports a culture of evidence-based decision-making, strengthens the use of official statistics, and contributes to more transparent, accountable, and effective governance.
The Data Literacy Hub is one example of how the Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) Programme, implemented by the World Bank and funded by the UK Government, is helping countries across Central Asia strengthen institutions and build the capacity needed for data-driven public policy and long-term economic development.
