Composites Testing Market (2026 - 2036)

Composites Testing Market Size, Market Forecast and Outlook By Fact.MR

The composites testing market was valued at USD 2 billion in 2025, projected to reach USD 2.1 billion in 2026, and is forecast to expand to USD 3.49 billion by 2036 at a 5.2% CAGR. Expanding aerospace composite airframe certification requirements and growing wind energy blade qualification testing demand are accelerating procurement of composites testing services across global advanced material supply chains. Quality assurance managers specifying destructive and non-destructive test programmes for carbon fibre reinforced polymer structures face tightening certification timelines as airworthiness authorities mandate comprehensive coupon-level through full-scale structural test documentation.

Summary of Composites Testing Market

• Composites Testing Market Definition
  • Composites testing covers destructive and non-destructive evaluation of fibre-reinforced composite materials used to validate mechanical performance for aerospace, wind energy, automotive, and construction certification requirements.
• Demand Drivers in the Market
  • Aerospace OEMs commissioning building-block test programmes spanning thousands of coupons through full-scale structural tests to generate the design allowables required for composite airframe type certification under FAA and EASA airworthiness regulations.
  • Wind turbine blade manufacturers specifying fatigue and static test campaigns on full-length composite blades to validate design life predictions under IEC 61400 certification requirements before series production release.
  • Automotive engineers conducting crash energy absorption and durability test programmes on composite structural components to qualify lightweight body-in-white designs under NCAP and regulatory frontal and side impact standards.
• Key Segments Analyzed in the Fact.MR Report
  • Destructive testing method: 58.0% share in 2026.
  • Polymer Matrix Composites product: 46.0% share in 2026.
  • Aerospace & Defense end-use industry: 34.0% share in 2026.
  • China: 6.0% compound growth during 2026 to 2036.
• Analyst Opinion at Fact.MR
  • The composites testing market is operating under capacity-constrained conditions as the concurrent expansion of aerospace, wind energy, and automotive composite programmes creates sustained demand for accredited laboratory services. Testing laboratories lacking aerospace accreditation (Nadcap, ISO 17025) face exclusion from the certification test contracts that represent the highest-value service category. Composite part manufacturers that delay test programme initiation risk certification timeline extensions that cascade into production delivery penalties. Investing in automated specimen preparation and high-throughput test frame capacity represents the clearest service revenue growth pathway for composites testing laboratories over the forecast decade.
• Strategic Implications / Executive Takeaways
  • Testing laboratories must invest in automated specimen preparation and high-throughput test frame capacity to meet the growing volume of aerospace and wind energy certification test programmes.
  • Aerospace OEMs should establish multi-laboratory test programme frameworks to mitigate capacity bottleneck risk during concurrent airframe certification campaigns.
  • Wind blade manufacturers must validate fatigue test fixture capability across potential laboratory partners before committing to full-length blade test programmes with fixed delivery timelines.

Composites Testing Market Key Takeaways

The absolute dollar opportunity between 2026 and 2036 amounts to approximately USD 1.39 billion. This expansion captures the structural growth in composite material adoption across aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and construction applications where each new material system and structural configuration requires independent mechanical and environmental test validation. The capital intensity of specialised test equipment and the limited availability of accredited composite testing laboratories are constraining testing capacity expansion while supporting pricing stability for qualified service providers.

All major consuming regions reflect accelerated deployment parameters. China sets the pace with a 6.0% CAGR, followed by South Korea at 5.6%. USA registers a 5.5% rate. Germany registers a 5.3% rate. Japan registers a 5.2% rate. UK registers a 5.0% rate. France registers a 4.8% rate. ANZ registers a 4.7% rate. Italy expands at a 4.5% trajectory.

Composites Testing Demand Analysis and Impact

In the composites testing industry, there is a multifaceted and interdependent web of stakeholders that charts the course of growth, innovation, compliance, and commercialization. Each participant in the value chain-stretching from raw materials suppliers through end-consumers-makes a distinct contribution to the pace and direction of industry evolution. For those stakeholders wishing to capture value, manage risk, or drive transformation in the industry, an understanding of these dynamics is imperative.

Production and manufacturing companies of composite materials are some of the key stakeholders, as they directly contribute to the introduction of new material designs and structural layouts. Their requirement for confirming mechanical performance, durability, and conformity to international standards drives the demand for advanced testing solutions.

While innovation speeds up across aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy industries, these producers more and more depend on advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques and digital analysis to reduce material failure and guarantee safety. Yet their reliance on expensive equipment and skilled staff leaves a window of opportunity for service-based test providers and automation-focused technology suppliers to intervene with more scalable options.

Technology providers and testing equipment manufacturers constitute the pillars of innovation in the industry. They provide the hardware, software, and integrated platforms that facilitate high-resolution, real-time, and predictive composite structure analysis. Their investments in AI, machine learning, and digital twin integration are not just configuring the competitive backdrop but also reconfiguring paradigms of quality assurance.

These firms, however, must walk a tightrope between bringing innovative solutions to the table and making them price-friendly for small to mid-size end users. Strategic partnerships between technology firms and test laboratories can close capability gaps, accelerating adoption while maintaining costs under control.

Regulatory authorities and standard institutes such as ISO and ASTM play an important part in shaping the behavior of the industry through compliance regulations. Their impact is in enforcing harmonized safety, quality, and performance standards that testing procedures have to comply with. Although necessary for end-user confidence and international trade, changing regulatory environments can hamper industry entry and innovation cycles.

Concomitantly, non-harmony between geographies tends to cause friction, most notably to global producers who have to test to multiple standards. Collaboration among industry bodies and regulatory institutions could facilitate easy certification and more rapid commercialization of new-age materials.

Venture capitalists have already started recognizing the industry as a high-potential field in light of megatrends like lightweighting, sustainability, and digital transformation. Venture funds are increasingly targeting startups with AI-enabled inspection software platforms, robotic-based NDT equipment, and cloud-based test labs. However, capital risk is still high in sectors such as infrastructure development and workforce training, which tend to necessitate public-private partnerships. Strategic investors with both financial support and operational or technological capabilities can release disproportionate value in this segment.

End-users, from aerospace OEMs to wind turbine manufacturers and automotive giants, are finally the demand drivers of the test industry. Their specifications and quality requirements determine the intensity and sophistication of test protocols. As these industries move toward automation, sustainability, and speed-to-industry, they are also forcing integrated test systems that can be embedded into manufacturing lines or accessed remotely.

This generates tremendous pressure upon legacy testing service providers to transform their business models. There are opportunities for end-users to partner with technology companies and regulators to develop test methodologies that are robust and dynamic.

In this complex value chain, strategic leverage exists in balancing innovation and regulation, reducing the SMEs' cost-to-adopt, and leveraging cross-sector alliances. Disruption is most probably to come from the digital channel; companies with the ability to provide quicker, wiser, and more scalable test platforms will disrupt incumbents and redefine standards of performance guarantees in composite products. Collaboration across technology providers, manufacturers, and regulators continues to be a catalyst for long-term, sustainable expansion within the industry.

Composites Testing Industry Analysis by Top Investment Segments

The composites testing market is segmented by testing method into destructive and non-destructive. By product, it is divided into continuous fiber composites, discontinuous fiber composites, polymer matrix composites, and ceramic matrix composites. By end-use industry, it is divided into aerospace & defence, transportation, wind energy, building and construction, sporting goods, and electrical & electronics. Regionally, the industry spans North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).

By Testing Method

The segment of destructive testing is poised to grow as a highly lucrative segment with an 8.5% CAGR during the forecast period of 2026 to 2036. Destructive testing is used persistently owing to its ability to offer actual, immediate information regarding the mechanical and structural characteristics of composite materials under actual stress conditions. It is the deliberate failing or shattering of materials by subjecting them to tensile, impact, compression, and fatigue tests to determine when and why they fail. These kinds of tests are helpful in informing us of the tolerances, strength, and safety performance of a material.

Compliance with regulation is one of the best usage drivers, especially in safety-critical industries like aerospace, automotive, and construction, where certification agencies invariably insist upon destructive testing to measure the degree of conformity to high-performance and safety standards. It also enables accurate characterization of significant mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness, and fatigue life needed in engineering design and product development.

By Product

The ceramic matrix composites segment is slated to witness a 10.3% CAGR throughout the forecast period 2026 to 2036. Applications for ceramic matrix composites exist extensively owing to the increase in resistance towards high-temperature and wear-corrosion, along with structural toughness against high stress. The major applications of CMCs are in the defense, energy, and aviation sectors, where thermal or mechanical limitations improve metallic or polymer materials.

CMCs are utilized to introduce the thermal insulation and lightness aspects of ceramics and the toughness and resistance to damage augmentation of fibers as reinforcement, which find optimal application in jet engine components, turbine blades, heat shields, and high-temperature brake systems.

As technology continues to evolve in being more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly in industries, CMCs are also increasingly demanded due to the development in fuel efficiency and emission-saving, particularly in next-generation propulsive systems and gas turbines. Irrespective of manufacturing and processing often being sophisticated and expensive, emerging technologies more and more render it non-expensive as an alternative when utilizing CMCs.

By End-Use Industry

The construction and building industry is turning out to be a highly profitable industry at 6.5% CAGR during the 2026 to 2036 forecast period. Building construction is applied on a large scale because of its intrinsic nature as an economic growth driver, urbanization, and infrastructure expansion support driver. As populations will also continue to grow, there will be progressively higher demands for residential, commercial, and industrial space.

Besides this, there is also the resultant global trend towards urbanization and the need for the possession of modern infrastructures such as roads, bridges, airports, and utilities.

The building and construction industry also makes a considerable contribution to economic development because investment in infrastructure is equivalent to growth in productivity, connectivity, and lifestyles. Additionally, the incorporation of green building technology and smart technology utilized in construction also compelled this industry to evolve.

Key Strategies of Composites Testing Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Distributors

In the competing and dynamic sector, key stakeholder groups are adapting with varying strategic directions to address shifting industry trends, technological advancements, regulatory pressures, and altering capital flows. The stakeholders include manufacturers, investors, regulators, end-users, startups, technology providers, and players in infrastructure, each adapting with specific strategies to maintain or enhance their industry positions.

Industry players are biased towards innovation and operational efficiency to keep pace with the growing demand for high-performance materials, with a particular focus on aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors. Certain of the key strategies pursued include increased expenditure on research and development to create state-of-the-art testing capabilities, particularly non-destructive testing (NDT), and the embrace of state-of-the-art automation and AI-driven technologies.

Investors in the sector are proactively addressing the growth potential of the sector, particularly in sectors that are in great demand like aerospace, automotive, and energy. Their strategies are primarily dependent on strategic capital investment in companies with sophisticated testing technology, including companies that have gained international footprints.

Those that are gaining traction in the innovation arena for non-destructive testing and those that are leveraging AI and machine learning to return results faster and more accurately are of most interest to investors. Regulators are reacting by bolstering their focus on safety regulation and environmental issues, creating the greater demand for stricter testing protocols.

Their methods are designed to ensure compliance with evolving industry norms, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors, where safety of material is of utmost concern. Regulators are collaborating with manufacturers and industry groups to streamline and standardize testing certifications, which drives sector-wide compliance and enhances the composite material's overall safety. End-users in the aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors are responding to increasing pressure to adopt sophisticated, high-performance composite materials by looking to apply trustworthy, cost-saving test methods.

These encompass collaborating in the long term with providers of testing services to ensure quality consistency and compliance with safety standards. End-users are also considering alternative pricing models, such as pay-per-use or subscription, to better manage testing cost while offering access to the most up-to-date technology. Industry startups and technology providers are adopting agile, innovation-driven strategies to differentiate themselves from established players.

They are focusing on leveraging new technologies such as AI, machine learning, and blockchain to enhance testing accuracy and operational efficiency. By offering niche, cutting-edge solutions for specific industry needs, startups have been able to establish a strong foundation, especially where the industry is specialized like defense and advanced manufacturing.

Infrastructure players, such as test facilities and laboratories, are seeking to boost their capabilities to maintain with the heightened demand for advanced composites testing. These plans include upgrading the equipment to be capable of handling newer and more complex materials and increasing the capacity of existing facilities to be capable of handling larger volumes of testing services. Simultaneously, players in the infrastructure space are streamlining geographic diversification by opening up new testing centers in strategic locations to service local and global customers.

Analysis of the Composites Testing Industry Across Top Countries

The composites testing industry study identifies top trends across 30+ countries. The producers operating in top opportunist countries can identify key strategies based on extraction, production, consumption, demand, and adoption trends of composites testing. The chart below draws focus on the growth potential of the top ten composites testing industries during the forecast period.

U.S.

The U.S. industry would grow between 2026 to 2036 at a CAGR of 5.5%. The growth in the industry is driven by robust demand from aerospace, automotive, and defense industries that require high-order testing of composite materials to ensure performance, safety, and durability. The U.S. has a conducive regulatory environment wherein high safety and quality standards are required, and product development is driven by testing.

Aside from this, advancement in non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, such as ultrasonic and thermographic testing, sporadically, occasionally, is gaining popularity and contributing to the industry size consistently. The US defense and aerospace sector, specifically, is one of the prime demand drivers because composite materials play an extremely significant role in minimizing weights, conserving fuel, and preserving vehicle rigidity for aircraft and defense equipment.

Higher application of composite materials in windmills, as also automobiles to apply lightweight material so that it remains within environmental standards, also creates demand for test services. With emphasis on technological advancements and well-established manufacturing sectors, the US composite test industry will be able to maintain world dominance.

UK

UK industry will also grow at a 5.0% CAGR from 2026 to 2036. The UK industry trends are dominated by the auto and aerospace industries, which today make use of composite materials because of lower weight and improved performance. The aerospace industry is specifically a major growth driver with the domination of aircraft production in the nation by Airbus and Rolls-Royce.

Further, the UK automotive industry is progressing with the use of composites in diminishing the carbon footprint and enhancing automobile' safety, such as strict test protocols. Non-destructive testing (NDT) procedures, which are still at the center of determining the composites' integrity and safety, are also picking up in the UK. Besides, the emphasis of the government on sustainability and efforts towards promoting the use of renewable energy sources enhance the use of composite materials in wind applications.

France

French industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2026 to 2036. The market expansion is attributed to gigantic demand from France's aerospace and automotive industries, which are top French industries. The French aerospace industry, led by Airbus, remains the leader in the use of composites in aircraft manufacturing for performance and efficiency. With the increased need for aerospace safety standards, there is also an increased need for rigorous testing of composites.

The automotive electric car industry, as well as the automotive industry of France, is also contributing to product demand as the automobile companies strive to utilize lighter but stronger materials to help meet the emissions and safety standards legislation. Moreover, growth in alternative energy, more importantly wind power, will also contribute to the drive for test composite demand because major equipment used within turbines, as well as other necessary equipment, highly relies on advanced composite material.

Germany

Germany's composite test industry is expected to register a CAGR of 5.3% between 2026 and 2036. As one of the world's major automobile producers, Germany is heavily involved in the application of composite materials in striving to achieve fuel efficiency, safety, and performance standards.

Germany's auto giants like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are leveraging the application of composites in car production to make vehicles more fuel-efficient without sacrificing weight through intricate testing processes.

Germany, within the aerospace sector, also boasts the sector's largest players, such as Airbus and Lufthansa Technik, where composites play an important role in improving the performance of aircraft as well as lowering the cost of operations. Massive compliance with regulations required for industries like this requires full-scale testing applications in assessing composite materials' safety, reliability, and strength.

Italy

Italy's market is also expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% for the period 2026 to 2036. Italy's automotive and aerospace industries consume the maximum amount of composite materials, predominantly the production of light-weight but high-performing component parts.

Italy's auto industry, featuring auto manufacturers Ferrari and Fiat, is making greater use of composite materials to make cars more efficient, secure, and performant. Italy is a significant contributor to the global supply chain of top airplane manufacturers in the aviation industry, and composites are used worldwide on aircraft structures and components. The increasing need for non-destructive testing solutions, which enable composite materials to be examined without damaging them, is also driving the industry size in Italy.

South Korea

The South Korean market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2026 to 2036. The South Korean market has emerged as a key player in the global composite industry, particularly in the automotive and aerospace sectors. The South Korean automotive industry, dominated by Hyundai and Kia, is increasingly applying composites to lower fuel consumption and meet tighter emissions regulations.

Aerodynamically, South Korea's increasing role in this sector, its role in driving advancement of commercial airplane and satellite technology, is generating demand for high-level composites. South Korea is also committing significant funds to clean energy, wind power, for instance, where composites play a part in the production of turbine blades. A greater focus on clean energy creates further demand for composite test services as well.

Japan

Japan's production will increase at a 5.2% CAGR during the period from 2026 to 2036, equal to the world rate of growth. Aerospace and automotive industries lead the way in Japan, with wide use of composite materials for superior performance as well as meeting stringent regulatory standards.

Production giants such as Toyota and Honda are dominating the country with a focus on composite materials while manufacturing automobiles to offer less weight and efficiency, wherein top-quality testing services are also needed. Japan's position in the aerospace industry as a world leader in aviation and space exploration necessitates heavy composite components to be subjected to heavy testing. The nation is also working on the use of renewable energy, i.e., the wind industry, utilizing composite materials to produce turbine blades.

China

China's industry will grow at 6.0% CAGR through 2026 to 2036. China, the world's largest base for manufacturing, is going extremely fast on composite material applications in the aerospace, auto, and wind industry segments. Urbanization and industrialization at a very fast rate in China have generated immense pressure for lightweight but high-strength composite materials for application in infrastructure development, automobiles, and the energy grid.

In the modern automotive industry, Chinese companies such as BYD and Geely utilize composites in electric cars for weight reduction through lightness and energy efficiency optimization. For the aerospace industry, China's booming space industry and airframe manufacturing capacity drive demand for emerging composite materials and test equipment. China's wind power sector is expanding rapidly, with sophisticated composite materials used on a mass scale in turbine blades.

Australia-New Zealand

The Australian and New Zealand market would grow at 4.7% CAGR from 2026 to 2036. Product demand in Australia and New Zealand is high due to the fact that it is used in aerospace, defense, and infrastructure construction. The aerospace and defense industry in Australia and New Zealand, dominated by key players such as Boeing Australia, is utilizing composites extensively in the hope of enhancing the performance and strength of aircraft for military as well as civilian aircraft. Similarly, New Zealand's emphasis towards renewable energy, namely wind power.

Leading Composites Testing Companies and Their Industry Share

Several players control the world composites testing market, with each having robust product portfolios, technological capabilities, and strategic geographic reach. Some of the major industry players are Element Materials Technology, Intertek Group, Mistras Group Inc., and Westmoreland Mechanical Testing & Research.

Element Materials Technology, following its acquisition of Exova, commands a considerable portion of the industry. Element maintains a strong foothold in Europe and North America across high-growth industries like aerospace, automotive, and energy. Element has a wide range of testing services encompassing destructive and non-destructive testing, complemented by its extensive global network of laboratories. Element's emphasis on safety-critical testing of composite materials, along with a huge investment in R&D, cements its leadership position in the industry.

Intertek Group is a leading product company with a broad array of testing services across various industries. These include aerospace, automotive, energy, and consumer goods. Intertek's advanced non-destructive testing technologies and broad international network make it a top player in the industry, especially in aerospace and automotive, where composite materials form the backbone of structural usage. Intertek's rapidly expanding global footprint and high-level technological capabilities enable it to cater to large multinational companies.

Mistras Group is a significant company in the industry, dealing with non-destructive testing (NDT). Mistras has a strong presence in North America and is highly reputed for providing inspection and testing solutions to industries including aerospace, defense, and energy. Mistras's implementation of advanced technologies and its wide range of services assist in the company's ability to compete with other top players in the industry.

Westmoreland Mechanical Testing & Research, though not as large as industry behemoths such as Element and Intertek, serves a niche position in the composites testing industry. Westmoreland is extremely well respected for its mechanical and destructive testing services for the aerospace and defense industries. Based heavily in North America, Westmoreland performs high-precision, mission-critical testing and holds a solid position in the industry.

Key Success Factors Driving the Composites Testing Industry

The key drivers to success in the composites testing industry are centered primarily on technological advancement, regulatory compliance norms, and demand for the market. The speeding rate of change in testing technology, especially non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, is a key driver in propelling the industry forward. Advances in AI, machine learning, and automated technologies are accelerating the speed, precision, and efficiency of composite material testing.

Another critical success factor is regulatory compliance, particularly with ever more stringent safety and environmental requirements. Regulatory bodies constantly update certification tests, which increases the demand for reliable testing services to manage evolving regulations. Companies that can manage regulatory territories and provide compliant testing services are at a plus when they manage to secure long-term contracts with industries like aerospace and automotive. The increased focus on sustainability also fuels the demand for environmentally friendly testing processes and materials.

Bibliography

• 1. ASTM International. (2024). ASTM D3039: Standard test method for tensile properties of polymer matrix composite materials. ASTM.
• 2. International Electrotechnical Commission. (2024). IEC 61400-23: Wind energy generation systems, full-scale structural testing of rotor blades. IEC.
• 3. National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program. (2024). Nadcap composites testing accreditation requirements. Nadcap.
• 4. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2024). Advanced materials testing services market assessment. OECD.
• 5. Element Materials Technology. (2024). Corporate profile: Composites testing capabilities overview. Element.
• 6. International Organization for Standardization. (2024). ISO 17025: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. ISO.

This bibliography is provided for reader reference. The full Fact.MR report contains the complete reference list with primary research documentation.

This Report Addresses

• Market sizing and quantitative forecast metrics detailing composites testing consumption across major end-use industries through 2036.
• Segmentation analysis mapping adoption velocity across testing method, product, end-use industry categories and evaluating structural demand shifts.
• Regional deployment intelligence comparing consumption patterns across Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and other regions.
• Regulatory compliance assessment analysing how material safety directives and environmental standards influence procurement specifications.
• Competitive positioning evaluation tracking market share distribution, vertical integration advantages, and buyer leverage dynamics among leading producers.
• Capital project strategic guidance defining procurement specifications and supply qualification requirements for major industrial consumers.
• Supply chain risk analysis identifying feedstock concentration, logistics constraints, and capacity utilisation bottlenecks.
• Custom data delivery formats encompassing interactive dashboards, raw Excel datasets, and comprehensive PDF narrative reports.

Composites Testing Market Definition

Composites testing encompasses the destructive and non-destructive evaluation methods used to characterise the mechanical, thermal, environmental, and fatigue performance of fibre-reinforced polymer, ceramic matrix, and metal matrix composite materials and structures. Destructive methods include tensile, compression, shear, flexural, impact, and fatigue testing of material coupons, elements, and sub-components. Non-destructive methods include ultrasonic inspection, thermography, radiography, and acoustic emission monitoring. Primary end-use industries span aerospace and defence, transportation, wind energy, building and construction, sporting goods, and electronics.

Composites Testing Market Inclusions

Market scope covers global and regional composites testing service and equipment volumes, forecast from 2026 to 2036. Segment breakdowns include testing method (destructive, non-destructive), product (polymer matrix composites, discontinuous fibre composites, continuous fibre composites, ceramic matrix composites), and end-use industry (aerospace and defence, transportation, wind energy, building and construction, sporting goods, electronics). Regional pricing trends and laboratory capacity analysis are incorporated.

Composites Testing Market Exclusions

The scope excludes metals testing, polymer resin testing without fibre reinforcement, and standalone non-destructive inspection of metallic structures. Composite material manufacturing equipment, fibre production, and downstream composite part assembly fall outside analytical parameters. General mechanical testing of unreinforced plastics is not included.

Composites Testing Market Research Methodology

• Primary Research: Analysts conducted structured interviews with procurement directors, production managers, and specification engineers across major composites testing consuming industries in 30 countries to validate adoption timelines and volume commitments.
• Desk Research: Data collection aggregated regulatory filings, trade association production statistics, company annual reports, and published pricing indices relevant to the composites testing supply chain.
• Market-Sizing and Forecasting: Baseline values derive from a bottom-up aggregation of production capacity data and consumption volumes, applying region-specific demand curves to project future adoption trajectories.
• Data Validation and Update Cycle: Projections undergo cross-validation against publicly reported financial guidance from leading producers and quarterly trade data published by national statistical agencies.