STATE STATISTICAL BODIES IN THE UKRAINIAN PROVINCES OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE ХІХ – EARLY ХХ CENTURIES: FORMATION AND ACTIVITY

Abstract

The article is dedicated to analyzing the role of state statistical agencies in studying the socio-economic processes of Ukrainian provinces from the second half of the 19th to the early 20th century. The exploration of the economic history of this period provides insight into societal transformations influenced by imperial reforms and political events. Particular attention is paid to the activities of state statistical services in the context of the 1860s reforms, including the abolition of serfdom, agrarian changes, and the emergence of the labor market. Additionally, statistical data reflect the consequences of P. Stolypin’s agrarian reform, the development of peasant households, and the process of industrialization in the early 20th century.The study examines the contribution of statistical agencies to building a source base for assessing the economic condition of Ukrainian provinces, highlighting their methods of operation, key research directions, and results. It demonstrates how state statistics influenced the formation of economic policies and the determination of strategic priorities. The article notes that the activities of statistical services contributed to shaping an understanding of socio- economic processes in Ukraine and became an important source for historical analysis.Summarizing the historical experience of the functioning of statistical agencies in studying the economy of Ukrainian provinces highlights the significance of statistics as a tool for analyzing and managing socio-economic processes. The article offers a systematic review of the contribution of state statistics to understanding Ukraine’s economic history, emphasizing the importance of preserving this legacy for contemporary scientific research.