Central Bureau of Statistics Launches Research Room at BGU

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) inaugurated its new research room at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev this week. The facility, which will be available to authorized University researchers, is intended to advance statistical research and expand access to high-quality data.

The new BGU research room joins existing CBS facilities in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv–Jaffa, and Haifa, as well as research rooms at the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Israel, Reichman University, and Tel Aviv University. Together with the Bureau’s remote-access system—launched two years ago to enable secure data access via laptop—this nationwide network is transforming the research environment in Israel and broadening the availability of data for the benefit of the public.

For many years, the CBS has provided data and information to academic researchers, government ministries, and research institutes. These data support a wide range of studies examining Israeli society, contributing to public understanding of social and economic trends. They enable researchers to identify patterns and processes shaping the population and economy, to analyze changes over time, and to explore the relationships between different fields. Access is based on de-identified microdata delivered within a secure work environment, with strict confidentiality protections in accordance with the Statistics Ordinance, the Privacy Protection Law, and established research-access procedures.

The establishment of the new research room at the University reflects years of dedicated work by researchers, department heads, faculty leadership, and the University administration, in collaboration with CBS representatives Sigalit Mazeh, Director of International Relations, Statistical Coordination and Research; Julia Vider, Head of Research Data Access; and Yifat Klopstock, the liaison for this field.

The inauguration ceremony, led by Prof. Danny Cohen-Zada (former Head of the Department of Economics), was attended by Prof. Yaron Felus, Israel’s National Statistician and Director of the CBS; Prof. Chaim Hames, Rector of BGU; Prof. Raz Jelinek, Vice President and Dean for Research and Development; Prof. Nirit Ben-Arie Debby, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; and additional representatives from both the CBS and the University. The first part of the event presented the CBS’s functions, data-access frameworks, the range of data available on its website, and selected findings from the Population Census. In the second part, BGU researchers showcased examples of studies based on CBS data, including work by Prof. Yariv Feniger in education, Dr. Talia Meital Schwartz-Tayri in social work, and Dr. Naomi Gershoni in economics.

Prof. Yaron Felus, Israel’s National Statistician and Director of the CBS, said: “I welcome the collaboration between the CBS and Ben-Gurion University, which has led to the opening of this research room for the University’s scholars. This is another important step in strengthening research in Israel. The expansion of remote-access capabilities and the establishment of new research rooms will significantly shorten the time required for data analysis and lead to a growth in the number of studies and information produced for the public good. As a result, decision-making processes will become more efficient, improving the lives of Israel’s residents. Ultimately, we will all benefit.”

Prof. Chaim Hames, Rector of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, remarked: “The CBS research room at BGU represents an additional step in our ongoing efforts to promote high-quality, in-depth research grounded in reliable and comprehensive data. Access to CBS datasets will deepen scientific understanding in social, economic, and demographic fields and help advance studies with meaningful implications for policymakers and for society at large. We thank the CBS for this important partnership, which strengthens academic research and its impact.”

Prof. Raz Jelinek, Vice President and Dean for Research and Development, added: “The opening of the CBS research room at the University is of tremendous practical value for our researchers. Direct access to highly detailed statistical data in a secure environment that meets CBS requirements will save time and resources and enable advanced analyses based on current and reliable information. I am confident that the ability to work directly from campus with large-scale macrodata will encourage new research initiatives and enhance our contribution to understanding social and economic processes in Israel.”

Prof. Nirit Ben-Arie Debby, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, noted: “The opening of the CBS research room at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is a milestone for academic research in the South. It provides researchers with direct access to the high-quality data essential for analyzing social, economic, and demographic developments in Israel. We welcome this fruitful collaboration between the CBS and the University, which strengthens the ties between knowledge, research, and regional development—for the benefit of the Negev and for society as a whole.”