Open Government and Open Data

Open government and open data describe the practice of making public information available so people can see it, search it, and use it. The topic covers government statistics, public datasets, websites, and the agencies that collect and publish them, such as statistical bureaus and the Census Bureau. It also covers how officials explain their work to the public and how private groups reuse public information.

People usually ask where to find reliable government data and how it is collected. They want to know why numbers are revised, how delays or gaps affect what the public can learn, who uses public data to build products or research, and what open government means in everyday practice.