Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Central Statistical Office (CSO)

About Us

The Central Statistical Office was established in 1952, by the passing of the Statistics Ordinance, Chapter 42, No. 11 of the Revised Ordinance 1952. This Ordinance was later replaced by the Statistics Act, Chapter 19:02 of the Revised Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 1982.

The CSO as a Government Department reports to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and the Economy. Our hours of business are from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Mondays to Fridays (except Trinidad & Tobago public holidays).

For further information contact:

The Central Statistical Office
National Statistics Building
80 Independence Square
Port of Spain
P.O. Box 98
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
Tel: (868) 623-7069
Fax: (868) 625-3802

Email: info@cso.gov.tt

Responsibilities of the CSO

Under the Statistics Act, the Director of Statistics has the following responsibilities:
  1. Conduct Population, Agricultural and Industrial Surveys and Censuses.
  2. Collect, Compile, Analyze and Publish high quality, timely and relevant statistical information relating to the different sectors of the Economy of Trinidad and Tobago.
  3. Collaborate with other Government Departments in the collection, compilation, analysis and publication of statistical data on a continuous and timely basis.
  4. Organize and maintain a co-coordinated set of economic and social statistics relating to Trinidad and Tobago (in accordance with the Statistics Act Chapter 19:02) consistent with International Standards.

The Statistics Act guarantees confidentiality of information collected. It states, specially, that data disseminated by the Central Statistical Office must be reported in a manner to prevent any particulars from being identified as information relating to an individual or undertaking, except with prior consent in writing of that individual or person carrying on the undertaking.

Strict penalties are prescribed under the Act for breach of this confidentiality.

Vision and Mission

The CSO as a Government Department reports to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and the Economy.

The statement of core purpose is embodied in its Mission Statement:

The Mission of the Central Statistical Office is to facilitate informed decision-making, through the timely provision of a high-quality, relevant, user-oriented and dynamic statistical service, coordinating statistical activities and promoting the adherence to statistical standards.

Its vision articulates:

The Central Statistical Office is the premier information and research institution, committed to being a learning and innovative organization staffed by well motivated personnel and enhanced through continuous quality improvement, to provide timely high quality and relevant goods and services utilizing state of the art technology for customer satisfaction.

Core Functions
  1. Data Collection - collects accurate primary and secondary data in a timely and efficient manner.
  2. Data Processing - transforms raw data into information.
  3. Analysis of data - analysis and evaluation of statistical data.
  4. Dissemination of data - Provision of publications and information to a wide range of users.
  5. Improvement and Development of Products - conducts methodological revisions of existing products and development of new products.
  6. Consultancy - provides technical assistance in:
                     - Sample design and conduct of surveys;
                     - Provision of geographic information services.