We produce the data to fuel the policies and investments needed to transform lives and propel the world towards its development goals. As a result of our work: countries and the UN system have been able to monitor progress towards Education for All and the related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before setting the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating the frameworks needed to monitor progress, especially in the field of education; countries have a trusted source of guidance and training on international measurement; national governments and international organizations can evaluate trends, benchmark progress and better target their policies; donors have the vital evidence to help them direct resources to the areas of education where their funding will meet the most urgent needs and measure their impact; and civil society groups have the ‘hard facts’ they need to mobilise support to provide quality education for all.