AbstractIt is the theme of the paper that statistics as a body of data are vastly more useable and useful when statistics as a discipline underlies or guides their collection and exploitation. While this statement might, in the abstract, be accepted by the profession, the extent to which it is practised can substantially be improved. Within this broader context the paper focuses on the role of statistical analysis, identifies and discusses different types of analytical activities, explores both the significance of analytical activities for official statistical agencies and the necessary restrictions on such agencies' analytical activities. It concludes by arguing in favour of more data analytical work both by academic personnel and staff of official statistical agencies and provides examples of how such work would enhance the real, as well as the perceived, value of statistics.