National Statistics and Information Authority, formerly known as the Central Statistics Organization, was established in 1972 as an independent authority within the government of Afghanistan in order to establish a coordination mechanism for managing statistical information within all sectors in the country.

Through 1973-1978, NSIA extended establishing offices in other provinces of the country. In 1991, NSIA was promoted from Central Statistics Organization to a ministry. However, this lasted only for one year.

NSIA has accomplished many important tasks since its establishment, mainly conducting the first nationwide census in Afghanistan whose initial phase began between 1975- 1978 and completed in 1979. In addition, NSIA has conducted many other activities which include implementing sample surveys and collecting different data in the country.

After the establishment of interim administration in 2002, the Central Statistics Organization resumed its usual activities which included implementing surveys and collecting different data. In 2018, based on requirement observed by the Islamic Government of Afghanistan, besides the Deputy Director General Office for Professional Affairs and Deputy Director General Office for Finance and Administration in the structure of NSIA, the Deputy Director General office for Geo Spatial Information management and the Office of Deputy Director General for Management and Development of Information Systems were added into the NSIA structure. Hence, the name of Central Statistics Organization was changed to National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA).