Key findings
The main source of information for this report is the annual quality evaluation of all producers of official statistics. The quality evaluation has been carried out at statistical level for the second time. Self-assessments for all statistics in the national programme for official statistics 2024–2027 (SSB, 2024) and information from follow-up meetings with statisticians constitute the factual basis for this evaluation. A questionnaire on compliance with quality requirements was completed for the self-assessments.
The results of the quality evaluation show good compliance with many of the quality requirements in the Statistics Act and the European Statistics Code of Practice (Eurostat, 2017). In most areas, the results are at approximately the same level as last year. There are substantial variations between producers in the compliance with certain requirements. One improvement from last year is that more statistics have written internal documentation concerning how the statistics were produced. For some of the quality requirements, greater awareness and compliance are still needed. This particularly applies to the quality requirement concerning statistical confidentiality. For many statistics, there is a need to replace manual procedures and self-written code with recognised methods and software for safeguarding statistical confidentiality.
Another source used in this year’s report is a review conducted by Statistics Norway of the dissemination of statistics by the producers. In the case of some producers, it is difficult to find the official statistics via search engines or the website. There are also deficiencies linked to metadata and user-oriented documentation of the statistics, and in procedures for the advance announcement of publication dates.
The solutions used for the production and dissemination of official statistics are fragmented. Each of the 16 producers primarily uses their own solutions throughout the production cycle, from the collection of data to the dissemination of statistics. In some domains, such as dissemination, documentation and metadata, there is considerable potential for streamlining and stronger user orientation through the establishment of common solutions across the producers.
Overarching recommendations
One of the key findings, discussed above, is that there is considerable variation in the dissemination of statistics and a lack of common solutions across the statistics producers. Previous initiatives in this area have yet to result in specific solutions which are used across the producers. In order to expedite the work to establish and introduce common solutions, there is a need to work in a more targeted and binding way. It is recommended that a review be to conduct a review of the needs and opportunities related to the development, funding and management of common solutions across producers of official statistics, within the areas of dissemination, metadata and documentation. Several producers should make it easier for users to find official statistics via search engines and the website.
Several recommendations from earlier reports are still applicable for several of the producers. All use of self-made software and manual processes for managing statistical confidentiality should be phased out over time. This can be a resource-intensive process, involving the building of competence concerning methods and software for confidentiality. It is important that statistics producers draw up specific plans for this work. Other recommendations that are still applicable include improved user contact, communication of uncertainty, improved and standardised documentation, and greater use of quality indicators.
Improvement measures
An important part of the quality system is the implementation of improvement measures based on the recommendations in the annual report on the quality of official statistics. The implementation of improvement measures helps to improve compliance with the quality requirements. In the wake of the publication of the annual quality report, the statistics producers consider the need for new measures based on the recommendations in the report. They also prepare and submit annual reports on the status of reported measures. The status report in February 2025 covered 228 measures, and 52 per cent of the measures since 2022 have been implemented.
Although many measures have been planned and implemented, there are still recommendations – particularly regarding quality indicators, uncertainty and confidentiality – for which further measures should be identified and implemented to improve compliance with the quality requirements. These may require additional resources, and this must be assessed against the opportunities for quality gains. Both the recommendations and the measures vary in complexity, scope and effect. Some are simple and have limited effect, while others – such as common solutions – could lead to major benefits for many. Counting measures may indicate the level of activity, but it does not give an adequate picture of quality improvement. In order to assess the effect, quantitative counts must be supplemented with qualitative assessments of, for example, compliance with standards or user satisfaction.
Developing the quality system
The system for the quality assurance of official statistics is being developed gradually over time in order to adapt the system to technological advances and other societal considerations.
Statistics Norway is currently undertaking a comprehensive modernisation process, with the most important development initiative being the transition to a new, cloud-based data platform (Dapla). This transition means that current statistics production solutions must be re-written in new coding languages and adapted to the cloud-based platform. The platform will enhance Statistics Norway’s ability to meet increasing user expectations and benefit from technological development. The transition also entails a number of challenges. During the transition period, Statistics Norway will need to handle both existing infrastructure and production systems and the new cloud-based solution, as well as the integrations between the two systems. This complexity increases the risk of security issues and quality problems. Over the coming years, the work relating to the transition to a cloud-based platform and the challenges this entails must also be reflected in the quality work. An assessment must be made of how the modernisation process is impacting the quality of Statistics Norway’s statistical products. The established tools of quality reviews and quality evaluations will be well-suited to monitoring the transition process.
In March 2025, the United Nations Statistical Commission endorsed a maturity model for quality culture. More consideration must be given to whether, and potentially how, the model can be used by Statistics Norway and the Norwegian statistical system.
In 2024, Statistics Norway reviewed the organisation of the Committee for Official Statistics on behalf of the Ministry of Finance. In 2025, a working group will be established comprising six committee members who will assist in the coordination and planning of the committee’s work. The aim is to strengthen the coordination, quality and development of official statistics in Norway.