I think the fact they’ve reported increasing partaker numbers for around a decade is pretty surprising. And perhaps indicates overall honesty in the numbers. (So far)
But I doubt they’ll keep publishing the numbers much longer.
I used to love poring over the figures in the KM in the late 1990s. I lost interest in going on the ministry around the time they stopped publishing the detailed monthly figures.
If they stop publishing the numbers, will JWs still be motivated to submit reports? If they stop requiring JWs to submit reports will they still go on the ministry? If JWs stop going on the ministry can the religion survive?
Pull at one thread and perhaps the whole unravels.