The Italian National Institute of Statistics, a public research organisation, is the main producer of official statistics in the service of citizens and policy-makers. It operates in complete independence and continuous interaction with the academic and scientific communities. The mission of the Italian National Institute of Statistics is to serve the community by producing and communicating high-quality statistical information, analyses and forecasts in complete independence and in accordance with the strictest ethical and professional principles and most up-to-date scientific standards, in order to develop detailed knowledge of Italy’s environmental, economic and social dimensions at various levels of geographical detail and to assist all members of society (citizens, administrators etc.) in decision-making processes. Istat aims to be an innovative administration which is committed to serving the community by placing value on the professionalism and integrity of its staff, creating appropriate working conditions and minimising its impact on the environment. Istat respects the privacy of respondents, protects the confidentiality of the data that it gathers and carries out its activities in a transparent, independent manner. Istat is oriented towards seeking to use available resources in the most effective, efficient way possible, promotes the development of Sistan and works with other organisations within the National Statistical System and public administration, with the research community and with civil society, with the additional purpose of improving the level of awareness and understanding with regard to statistics. stat is a member of the European Statistical System and works with other organisations within the international statistical system