The United Nations Statistics Division collects statistics on economic characteristics of the population from national statistical offices around the world and disseminates them in tabular form in special issues of the United Nations Demographic Yearbook. These official statistics provided by countries are derived from population censuses. In addition, the Statistics Division compiles and makes available online some statistics and indicators on economic activity derived from various sources through its Social Indicators website and Statistics and indicators on women and men website. The major sources of these statistics and indicators are the United Nations Statistics Division and the Bureau of Statistics of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

International statistics on economic activity derived from sample surveys and administrative systems are collected by the ILO Bureau of Statistics from national labour ministries. These include statistics on employment and unemployment, occupations, earnings and hours worked, among others. Much of these statistics are available online on the website of the Bureau of Statistics.