The UIS first opened its doors in Montreal in 2001 with just a handful of staff and computers. Today, the Institute is the primary source of cross-nationally comparable data in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. We work with national statistical offices around the world to develop the standards, methodologies and indicators countries need to achieve their development goals by using data to benchmark their progress and better target their policies for maximum effect.

Governments, donors and UN agencies rely on the UIS as the trusted source of data, which is why the UIS was given the mandate to develop the methodologies and indicators needed to monitors progress towards SDG 4–Education 2030 and key targets in science, culture and communication.

These achievements would not have been possible without the financial support and guidance of our donors. Together, we are producing the data to transform lives. 

The UIS and its Governing Board would like to thank the following donors for their support.

Australian Aid
 
   
Gouvernement du Canada
Global Affairs Canada
   
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
   
Department for International Development
Gouvernement du Québec
   
The william and Flora HEWLETT Foundation
The World Bank