A book with a history - Statistics Denmark

The Statistical Yearbook has been published annually since 1896. Leafing through the yearbook, the reader is introduced to parts of Danish history. From the first volume of the yearbook and onwards, the reader becomes aware of the existence of stories at different levels, each testifying to the great number of changes in Danish society and Danish language.

See the list showing which yearbooks that can be downloaded free of charge in PDF format

At present, it is only a selection of yearbooks that can be downloaded, but they will be available on the Internet as soon as they are scanned. Visitors to Statistics Denmark¿s library (Sankt Kjelds Plads 11, 2100 København Ø) will be able to read and study all yearbooks of the past years.

A story about the developments in society
For each volume of the Statistical Yearbook, statistics on, e.g. population size, geographic distribution and a great number of other statistics are updated. Thereby, the reader is able to keep up with the developments in society year by year, e.g. population pyramids, number of births and deaths, unemployment, public expenditure, etc.

Some tables are gradually omitted, if they are no longer of any importance to society, or because financial resources are not allocated for their upkeep.

Other tables are extended to include more categories or separate tables. Examples are income statistics, where the present yearbooks now include considerably larger and longer tables on income distributed by age, occupation, etc.

Other tables are reduced with regard to their size or number. For example, tables on Danish agriculture take up slowly, but with absolute certainty, less space in the yearbook, while statistics on the tertiary sector (trade and services, ICT, transport, etc.) gradually take up more and more space.

New tendencies are reflected by new tables
New tables are also continuously being introduced as a reaction to the tendencies in society. Year by year, it is only a small number of tables that are introduced, but over a great number of years, they give a clear picture of the developments in society. Below, examples of new tables, which are of historical interest to society, are mentioned:

In the Statistical Yearbook 1909 automobiles are becoming so widespread on the Danish roads, resulting in the construction of a table showing the number of motor vehicles.

Two decades later (in the Statistical Yearbook 1933) traffic accidents caused by, among others, cars became so widespread that a table showing traffic accidents was constructed and included in the yearbook.

In more recent years, pollution caused by cars has become a subject in the yearbook, which is also true of pollution caused by agriculture, shipping, etc.

At the beginning of the history of the yearbook, the trade union movements are becoming popular, and this is reflected by new tables in the yearbook showing the number of trade union members and work stoppages. Today, data for the tables are still compiled.

Later, this area was supplemented by statistics on industrial injuries, absence due to sickness, atypical working hours, working time accounts, and other statistics relating to working conditions.

During the Second World War, it is of current interest to focus attention on ration cards. A table on this subject is included in the yearbook until 1952. There are also statistics on US Marshall aid until 1954.

It was perhaps due to the occasional shortage of foods that a table showing the average calorie intake of Danes in 1947 was constructed. However, the compilation of data for this table was short-lived.

Statistics on radio and TV gradually appear and are extended, concurrently with the media becoming more widespread. An example of a new statistical area is ICT statistics.

The Statistical Yearbook comprises figures on usage of ICT and the Internet by businesses and citizens. There is also information on families possessing, e.g. DVD recorders and MP3 players, etc.