The relationship between the government and Statistics Finland

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Relander, Timo

Affiliations: Director General of Statistics Finland, FIN-00022, Finland

Abstract: A positive aspect of Statistics Finlands position and its relationship with the government is the role the agency has as the co-ordinator of official statistics. Total centralisation may not be the status to strive for, but a statistical office should maintain a co-ordinating role. A further positive aspect is that administrative data can be used in the compilation of statistics. This ensures that the response burden is kept within reasonable limits. Co-operation with the re-spondents improves the quality of statistics and keeps response rates high. It is equally important for a statistical office to maintain continuous contacts with central and local governments, industrial organisations and the media. This increases the knowledge and consciousness of statistics which, in turn, influence response willingness. A system for providing feedback on statistics is an essential element in the creation of good co-operation.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1998-153-407

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 15, no. 3-4, pp. 247-254, 1998