'Bedrock' federal data sets are disappearing, as statistical agencies face upheaval

More than a dozen federal statistical agencies are falling behind on producing high-quality data sets that impact the U.S. economy and government policy, according to former officials.

An annual report from the American Statistical Association finds widespread staffing and spending cuts across the federal government, along with policy changes under the Trump administration, have led to certain public-facing data sets being delayed, suspended or canceled.

Experts who led the report are also concerned by a decline of public trust in federal government data sets.

Former Chief Statistician of the United States Nancy Potok, a co-author of the report, said in a call on Wednesday that “we saw a severe decline in the agency’s ability to meet their missions,” and that the “status quo was no longer satisfactory.”

“What most people noticed was that many statistical products just disappeared. They either were eliminated, in terms of no data collection taking place, because contracts were cut or funding was cut or people weren’t there, or because of the lack of staff and resources,” Potok said.

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/big-data/2025/12/bedrock-federal-data-sets-are-disappearing-as-statistical-agencies-face-upheaval/