Istat’s 100th anniversary: understanding the country
The profound changes the country has undergone over a hundred years of history, from its population to its economy, from education to healthcare. A snapshot of the lives of people and institutions that illustrates the extent to which Italia has changed, mostly for the better (though not in every respect). One figure says it all: the resident population has more than doubled, from 26 to 59 million, despite a sharp decline in the birth rate that has been ongoing for some time. Every day of this century, every change has been monitored and measured by Istat, the National Institute of Statistics, which in 2026 celebrates its second anniversary. To showcase this ongoing work, characterised by great dedication and professionalism, it has organised an exhibition entitled ‘We Count for Italia. We Count for the Future’, currently on display at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome until 2 December (free admission from Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00–20.00).
The exhibition regards Istat’s data archive as a true testament to our collective memory and takes visitors on a journey through a hundred years of history, in which the Institute’s path is constantly intertwined with that of Italia. Images, documents, data, videos – including an original collection of interviews with the current president, Francesco Maria Chelli, and seven of his predecessors – and interactive tools help to construct this narrative and convey its complexity, integrating design and technological innovation into the exhibition’s layout. In short, it is a valuable (especially for young people, though certainly relevant to everyone) narrative journey that presents scientific content in an accessible and original way. The Institute emphasises that visitors of all ages can engage with statistics – a subject that may initially seem daunting and difficult but which is, in fact, easily accessible when properly explained (as the author himself can honestly attest) – understand its connection to everyday life, drawing on their own experiences, whilst also appreciating the importance of distinguishing high-quality statistical information from the vast sea of data available today. Statistics are thus given a more concrete and human dimension, whilst visitors gain an awareness of a wealth of information that many countries cannot even imagine. Furthermore, to make statistics more accessible to a wider audience, with a particular focus on the younger generations, interactive games have been developed to guide young visitors on a journey of discovery through statistical information in an engaging and challenging way.
The exhibition, conceived and produced by Opera Laboratori and Punto Rec Studios under the supervision of Istat, is therefore based on an original project that combines scientific rigour with a human dimension, transforming statistics into a narrative that resonates with people’s everyday experiences. The project is underpinned by four fundamental and accessible principles: engagement, the human dimension, accessibility and inclusion, creativity and innovation. One of the exhibition’s central features is the ‘IstatLine. From the past to the future: history and innovation’, a large three-dimensional timeline wall that guides visitors through the key milestones in the history of Istat and the country. The timeline incorporates text, images, videos, significant dates and content accessible via QR codes, including in Italian Sign Language (LIS). The narrative highlights the evolution of statistical methodologies, data collection and processing, right up to the contemporary challenges posed by artificial intelligence and big data. This section clearly highlights Istat’s role as a producer of reliable and certified information, which is essential for fuelling public debate and supporting collective decision-making.
At the heart of the exhibition is the large-scale immersive installation ‘The Data of Our History’, a multimedia presentation divided into ten thematic narratives which, on a continuous circular loop comprising twelve projections, takes the viewer on a journey spanning a hundred years. Great attention has been paid to the clarity of the information and the accessibility of the content, which is presented in two languages and integrated into scenographic elements such as large backlit lightboxes. The predominant use of black and light helps to highlight images, data and audiovisual content, reinforcing the immersive nature of the experience.
