Dmitry Maslo: "The task of statistical bodies is to be a mirror of the modern economy."

      In the run-up to the Day of the Statistician, the head of Nizhny Novgorod Statistics, Dmitry Maslo, spoke to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" about the history of the statistical service, the digitalization of the industry, the use of big data, the upcoming census, and the tasks facing statisticians today.

      The Nizhny Novgorod Statistical Committee was established as one of the first in the country.

      — Dmitry Vyacheslavovich, this year Russian statistics celebrates its 215th anniversary. How has statistics developed in Russia, and what place does the Nizhny Novgorod region occupy in this history?

      — The history of statistics is closely linked to the development of the state. In the early 19th century, the economy and entrepreneurship were actively developing in the country, and it became clear that reliable information about ongoing processes was necessary for making management decisions. The starting point is considered to be the Highest Manifesto of Alexander I from 1802, according to which ministers were required to submit annual reports on the activities of their departments to the emperor.

      In 1811, the first official statistical institution was created under the Ministry of Police — a statistical department headed by Academician Karl Herman. It is from this moment that the history of Russian state statistics begins.

      Later, statistical divisions began to appear in other departments and provinces, and in 1858, the Central Statistical Committee was established to coordinate data collection across the country. Nizhny Novgorod occupied a significant place in this system. The provincial statistical committee was opened on May 11, 1835 — one of the first in Russia. It was headed by Governor-General Mikhail Buturlin.

      Interestingly, for a long time, only the year of the committee's establishment was known. Only two years ago, a genuine document from the 19th century was discovered in the Russian State Historical Archive, which established the exact date of the founding of Nizhny Novgorod statistics.

      Melnikov-Pechersky wrote gubernatorial reports

      — Many well-known historical figures have been associated with statistics. Are there any such examples in the history of the Nizhny Novgorod statistical service?

      — Certainly. One of the most famous examples is the writer Pavel Melnikov, better known by the pen name Andrei Pechersky. While leading a statistical expedition, he collected data and prepared gubernatorial reports. Moreover, he did this with high literary skill, and his style served as a model for colleagues for a long time.

      A significant contribution was also made by the historian-local historian Alexander Gatsisky, who worked as the secretary of the provincial statistical committee. He systematized and published statistical materials in special collections.

      Another notable figure is the publicist Nikolai Annenkov. Thanks to his analysis, it was possible to assess the scale of the impending crop failure in advance and take measures that helped mitigate its consequences.

      The pandemic was a serious test for the statistical service

      — What do you consider to be the main achievement of Nizhny Novgorod Statistics in recent years?

      — Today, Nizhny Novgorod Statistics is one of 70 territorial bodies of Rosstat. Over nearly two centuries, the service has evolved from manual records and paper archives to modern digital technologies. At the same time, the main task remains unchanged — the collection, processing, and analysis of data on the development of the Nizhny Novgorod region. This information is used at both the regional and federal levels when making management decisions.

      Every year, we process 160-170 forms of statistical observation. We analyze data both for the region as a whole and for municipalities, cities, and rural settlements. In addition, Nizhny Novgorod, as the capital of the Volga Federal District, accumulates statistical information from all regions of the Volga Federal District.

      One of the most serious challenges in recent years was the conduct of three large-scale statistical events in 2021: the All-Russian Population Census, the census of small and medium-sized businesses, and the micro-census of agriculture. All of this took place under pandemic conditions. We had to quickly restructure work processes, implement remote work formats, and simultaneously ensure the safety of employees and survey participants.

      Another important area is socio-demographic surveys of the population. Since 2011, a series of ten such studies has been conducted. We study people's living conditions, the health status of the population, family reproductive plans, and other important social issues.

      Statistics constantly adapts to changes in the economy and society. Today, we take into account the volumes of online trade, car-sharing services, and monitor the prices of goods on marketplaces like Ozon and Wildberries. New accounting objects have appeared in tourism statistics — glamping and camping sites.

      We must objectively reflect the processes occurring in the modern economy and society.

      We have completely abandoned paper reporting

      — How has digitalization affected the work of statisticians?

      — In recent years, significant changes have occurred in this area. Today, all statistical reporting is provided exclusively in electronic form. This has significantly accelerated the processing of information and the publication of final data.

      Modern digital tools — tablets, smartphones, and other devices — are actively used in work. During the agricultural micro-census of 2021, satellite images were used to verify data.

      A key stage in development will be the implementation of the Digital Analytical Platform, which will integrate all statistical production processes — from planning observations to disseminating final data. It will allow both statistical bodies and respondents and information users to work in a unified information space.

      The full-scale launch of the platform is scheduled for 2027. However, some of its elements are already being used in work, including in interactions with respondents who violate reporting discipline.

      It is important not to punish for mistakes but to help avoid them

      — How is the quality of statistical reporting ensured today?

      — The completeness and reliability of data remain the foundation of official statistics. The basis of the system is the Statistical Register, which is formed based on state information resources containing information about legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, as well as administrative data and statistical reporting. Thanks to this, it is possible to accurately determine the circle of respondents and their obligations to provide information.

      Great attention is paid to the convenience of working with reporting. On the websites of territorial bodies of Rosstat, there is a service that allows users to find out the list of necessary forms and deadlines for their submission. Specialists from Nizhny Novgorod Statistics regularly conduct webinars and consult respondents.

      In addition, the modern data collection system automatically checks the correctness of filling out reports. This allows errors to be identified and corrected before the form is submitted. Our task is not to punish for mistakes but to help avoid them.

      As of the end of 2025, Nizhny Novgorod Statistics ranked among the top three territorial bodies of Rosstat in terms of the completeness of statistical reporting collection. This indicator was 98.39%.

      The reporting burden should be halved

      — What changes are expected in the statistical reporting collection system in the coming years?

      — It is necessary to make interaction with respondents as simple and convenient as possible. According to the set goals, by 2030, the reporting burden should be reduced by half. This will be facilitated by the further development of digital services and the implementation of the principle of one-time information provision.

      In the future, all processes will operate based on the Digital Analytical Platform. A personal account is planned to be created for each respondent, allowing for the automatic filling of part of the data. In addition, the use of alternative sources of information will expand. It is expected that by 2030, half of the key statistical indicators will be formed based on these sources.

      Big data is becoming part of statistics

      — Are alternative data sources already being used?

      — Yes, such work is underway. For example, statistics in the field of demographics today are formed based on administrative data from the Unified State Register of Civil Status Acts, operated by the Federal Tax Service. This allows for obtaining timely and reliable information without conducting additional surveys.

      A separate direction is related to the use of big data. This refers to information coming from various digital platforms and telecommunications operators. So far, such data is primarily used for checking and verifying traditional statistical information.

      For instance, data from the product labeling system helps to obtain a more complete picture of the processes occurring in trade. We need to make statistics not only more accurate but also more timely.

      The 2030 Population Census should be fully digital

      — What will change in working with the population? What might future censuses and socio-demographic surveys look like?

      — In the coming years, interaction with the population will increasingly shift to a digital format. One of the most significant projects will be the All-Russian Population Census of 2030. It is expected that its basis will be the Unified Population Register. This will allow for the use of already available information about citizens, and people will only need to verify the information and supplement it if necessary. This approach will help reduce time costs and lower the likelihood of errors.

      Changes are also expected in various population surveys. It is planned to maximize their transition to an online format, which will speed up data processing and focus interviewers' work on quality control of information.

      Statistics are used by both officials and ordinary citizens

      — Who are the main users of statistical information today?

      — Statistical data is in demand from a wide variety of audiences. Traditionally, the largest users remain government authorities and local self-government bodies. Decisions in the field of socio-economic development of territories, budget formation, and state programs are made based on statistics.

      Business