About NSM

The National Statistics Month (NSM) was first observed in 1990 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino on September 20, 1990, Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month.

The NSM celebration aims to:

1.  promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society; and

2.  to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.

Theme Explanation

"Accelerating Progress:
Promoting Data and Statistics for Healthy Philippines"

The Philippines has had a strong rebound from the economic decline over the years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accelerating factors such as an increase in urbanization, growing middle class, digital transformation, gender equality and empowerment of women, and strong consumer demand supported by a more enthusiastic labor market and robust remittances make the country one of the world’s fastest-growing emerging markets.1 Acceleration of economic growth addresses challenges in poverty, food insecurity, incapacity of healthcare, inequality, climate change, unemployment, and peace and justice, among others.

Among the many sectors that contribute to the acceleration of the country's economic progress is the health sector. Public and private entities share in upgrading and expanding their health facilities, invest in latest medical technologies, and adopt digitalization in the development of health information system and use of emerging technological innovations to improve health care services. Among the strategies of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 to achieve economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society, is to improve the current health systems to make way for coordinated planning services, equitable access to health care services, and sustained financing for local health interventions. This strategy aims to develop and protect the capabilities of individuals and families and promote human and social development.

Data and statistics play crucial and significant role in improving the quality of health in the country. This role will be played best with the development of data that are essential for policymaking and decision-making by the government, private sector, data users, and other stakeholders, as regards health and health-related concerns.

In October 2023, the 34th National Statistics Month will carry the theme “Accelerating Progress: Promoting Data and Statistics for Healthy Philippines” which emphasizes the importance of data and statistics in enhancing health outcomes. The Philippines’ initiative to speed up the resolution of health system issues and challenges and promote a healthier populace is aimed at accelerating the nation's socioeconomic development with the use of quality health and health-related statistics.

As we continue implementing health policies and programs to accelerate progress, let us also consider that in addition to statistics, everyone has a significant role to play. Let us all take our part in the country’s efforts towards a healthy Philippines.

1 Biswas, R. (2023, March 10). Philippines amongst world's fastest growing emerging markets. S&P Global Market Intelligence. (SNP Global.) (2023)

Poster Explanation

The 34th National Statistics Month adopts the theme – “Accelerating Progress: Promoting Data and Statistics for Healthy Philippines.” This poster illustrates the significance of data and statistics in accelerating progress for healthy outcomes. 

The horizon in the background represents vision of the Philippines for a Healthy Philippines. The trees and windmills, alongside high-rise buildings, show a community which sustains a healthy environment amidst modernization. The poster also includes an ascending arrow which signifies movement towards becoming a more progressive country. These bring to mind the Philippines’ ability to keep up and adapt to emerging developments through the use of statistics resulting to evidence-based and informed policies and decisions.

The Statman comprising of statistical symbols commonly used in statistical theory and its applications¹ and a health icon are placed together to show that they go hand-in-hand in championing quality health and health-related statistics. Healthy Philippines is represented by a community of people which includes hospital/barangay health workers, health and fitness enthusiasts, and an extended family, with a pop-up store which provides affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in the background. A pair of hands holding all the depicted elements symbolizes resiliency and stability to withstand and overcome adversities.

Green and yellow are the central colors used in the poster which represent the colors of the Department of Health as host of this year’s NSM celebration. These colors symbolize life, health, and growth which essentially define a Healthy Philippines.