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    The role and mandate of Statistics Denmark

    Statistics Denmark is the official statistical authority in Denmark. We produce and disseminate independent statistics describing the development in Danish society and providing a shared factual basis for decisions, analyses and public debate. Our statistics are used by politicians, authorities, researchers, the media and the public, and form the basis for documented knowledge about Denmark.

    Who are we?

    Statistics Denmark is responsible for official statistics in Denmark, as laid down in the Act on Statistics Denmark. We are an independent institution that has provided statistics about and for Denmark since 1850. Our task is to collect, process and deliver reliable and well documented statistics on Danish society, enabling users at all levels to make decisions based on documented and comparable data. Originally, data collection consisted of physical counts, but today these have largely been replaced by registers and statutory reporting from, enterprises, municipalities and public authorities among others.

    We are a government institution under the Ministry of Digital Affairs, but our statistical production is professionally independent and follows fixed principles for methodology, dissemination and quality.

    Our work builds oncredibility, security, user focus, transparency and competencies. These principles underpin our Strategy 2030 and ensure that our statistics are reliable and can be used throughout society.

    Statistics over time

    Today, Statistics Denmark covers almost all areas society across around 280 statistical subjects. The organisation was originally established in 1850 under the name Det Statistiske Bureau. Watch the video to see how Statistics Denmark has kept track of Denmark’s figures for more than 175 years.

    Why statistics matter

    Official statistics are a prerequisite for ensuring that:

    • the political system can make decisions on a sound and objective basis
    • municipalities and regions can plan services, finances and infrastructure
    • researchers can base analyses on solid, well-documented data
    • citizens and the media can follow developments in society

    Statistics provide a shared point of reference, making it possible to understand, compare and discuss conditions in Denmark – from population trends to price levels.

    What Statistics Denmark can be used for

    Statistics Denmark makes a large volume of data freely available. Users can, for example:

    • find key figures and news on the population, the economy, the labour market, prices, education and the environment
    • download data and create their own tables in StatBank Denmark
    • use our API when working with automated data flows
    • explore analyses and thematic content that add perspectives to the statistics
    • gain access to microdata for use in research and analyses

    Our statistics are used in major societal analyses – such as the national accounts – and in everyday queries, such as price developments and name statistics.

    The history of Statistics Denmark

    Statistics have been part of Danish public administration for centuries, but Statistics Denmark was established in 1850 as Det Statistiske Bureau, following the introduction of the Danish Constitution. The aim was to create an independent and uniform framework for official statistics in Denmark.
    Statistics have developed significantly, from early population censuses to today’s modern register-based statistics.  
    Historical milestones

    • 1769: The first Danish population census
    • 1850: Establishment of Det Statistiske Bureau
    • 1966: New Act on Statistics Denmark and introduction of the position National Statistician as well as an independent board
    • 1981: Denmark conducts one of the  first register-based population and housing censuses in the world
    • 2001: StatBank Denmark becomes free of charge for all users, later supplemented by an API
    • 2025: Statistics Denmark celebrates its 175th anniversary
    Key dates in Danish statistics and the history of Statistics Denmark

    1769 and 1787 Rentekammeret (the Treasury, corresponding to the Ministry of Finance at the time) conducts the first Danish population censuses, which do not, however, cover the entire Danish population.
    1797–1819 Dansk-Norsk Tabel-Kontor (The Danish–Norwegian Table Office) is established, primarily to produce financial statistics and population censuses.
    1801 A population census regarded as the first official census is carried out. It is, however, not published until 1834.
    1833–1848 Tabelkommissionen (The Table Commission) ensures more regular publication of statistics in the series Statistisk Tabelværk.
    1849 A Royal Ordinance of 1 December establishes an independent statistical bureau.
    1850–1895 Det Statistiske Bureau is established under the Ministry of the Interior. From 1853, it is placed under the Ministry of Finance.
    1869 The first edition of Statistiske Sammendrag, the predecessor of the Statistical Yearbook, is published.
    1895–1913 The first statistical act is adopted, and the institution is renamed Statens Statistiske Bureau.
    1896 The first volume of the Statistical Yearbook (Statistisk Årbog) is published.
    1909 The first volume of Statistiske Efterretninger is published.
    1913–1966 The Statistical Act is revised, and the institution is renamed Det Statistiske Departement.
    1924 The Act on Population Registers improves the basis for population statistics.
    1945 The first official national accounts are published.
    1958 In connection with an economic census, a statistical business register is established.
    1965 A committee under the newly established Administrative Council submits a bill proposing a reorganisation of the statistical system.
    1966 The Act on Statistics Denmark enters into force. The institution is renamed, a National Statistician is appointed, and an independent board is established.
    1968 The Central Population Register (CPR) is established, and the CPR number is introduced as a unique identifier in public administration.
    1971 Statistics Denmark acquires its own data processing system, which, among other things, processes questionnaires from the 1970 population census.
    1975 The Act on the Central Business Register is adopted. The register is administered by Statistics Denmark.
    1978 The Act on Public Registers and the Act on the Building and Housing Register are adopted.
    1980 Ministries gain access to de-identified microdata through the so-called Legal Model (Lovmodellen).
    1981 A population and housing census is carried out as one of the world’s first register-based censuses.
    1996 The Act on the Central Business Register (Det Centrale Virksomhedsregister) is adopted.
    1999 The Central Business Register is put into operation.
    2001 Free access to StatBank Denmark is introduced.
    2001 Researchers and others gain internet access to de-identified microdata.
    2007 A government decision is taken to further consolidate the production of official statistics within Statistics Denmark.
    2014 Data from StatBank Denmark become accessible via an API.
    2015 An Executive Order on mandatory digital reporting to Statistics Denmark enters into force.
    2017 The final volume of the Statistical Yearbook is published. All volumes since the first edition in 1896 are available online.
    2018 The Sustainable Development Goals platform is launched in connection with Statistics Denmark’s website.
    2018 The Act on Statistics Denmark is revised, introducing, among other things, a scheme for statistics produced officially according to fixed quality requirements.
    2020 Experimental statistics are launched on the basis of access to new data sources triggered by the COVID-19 crisis.
    2022 The final edition of Statistiske Efterretninger is published. All volumes since its inception in 1909 are available online.
    2022 Denmark's Data Portal (Danmarks Datavindue) is launched, improving access to research data.
    2024 The final volume of Statistisk Tiårsoversigt is published. All volumes since the first edition in 1964 are available online.
    2025 Statistics Denmark celebrates its 175th anniversary.