Why use statistics?
Statistics can help you to illustrate your points, analyse things that have happened and make future decisions.
Useful statistics might include:
- Company or industry data - sales figures, market statistics, the number of businesses in a country, city of area
- Demographic data - the number of people living in a particular area
Statistics are often tricky to find and search. We have gathered some useful resources to help you.
Statistics by area
- Statista This link opens in a new windowStatista includes a huge amount of global market and consumer data. You can search for a specific product, company, item or geographic area (including the United Kingdom). Visit the page, select Login, then select Campus Access and choose UWS.
- OECD iLibraryWebsite for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. You can search for data about a particular country or a theme such as Industry or Economics.
- EurostatStatistical information about countries in the European Union.
- Mintel This link opens in a new windowUK market reports in consumer sectors such as food and drink, clothing, household goods, travel, tourism and health; expert analysis; and data for you to use in reports and presentations.
- Statista This link opens in a new windowStatista includes a huge amount of global market and consumer data. You can search for a specific product, company, item or geographic area (including the United Kingdom).
- Office for National StatisticsThe UK's national statistical institute responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population and society at national, regional and local level.
- Office for National Statistics: Business, industry and tradeThe Office for National Statistics is the UK's largest statistical provider. This webpage gathers its data on UK business and trade.
- UK Data ServiceThe UK's largest collection of data for research. Select 'Find data' and browse by themes such as Economics.
- Scottish Government - Statistics and researchUse the Topic boxes on the left-hand side to narrow the publications to sections such as Business and Economy.
- Scottish Enterprise - Research and publicationsScottish Enterprise is a government body which supports enterprise and innovation. This page includes facts on specific sectors and economic commentary.
- National Records of Scotland - Statistics and dataDemographic and population information for Scotland.