Barnnummer

Barnnummer is a term used in several Nordic contexts to describe a numeric identifier assigned to a child within a particular administrative or service system. It is not a universal standard like a country’s personal identity number, and its form, scope, and permanence vary by country, agency, and purpose. Typically, a barnnummer is used within a specific program or department—such as healthcare, education, child welfare, or research databases—to keep track of a child’s records across multiple services without relying on the child’s full personal identity details.

The exact characteristics of a barnnummer can differ. In some cases it is a temporary or project-based code used during early childhood or a local system that remains in place until the child reaches adulthood or is linked to a national identifier. In other instances it may function as a semi-permanent tag within a particular database, facilitating continuity of records while safeguarding privacy. Because it is not standardized, barnnummer schemes often require careful data governance to ensure compatibility and avoid fragmentation.

Data protection and privacy are central considerations. Access to barnnummer data is typically restricted to authorized personnel, and handling is subject to relevant laws and regulations, such as data protection and privacy rules within the European Union and other regions. Benefits of barnnummer systems include improved service delivery, cross-agency coordination, and more consistent case management for children, while concerns focus on privacy, data security, and the need for coherent integration with broader identification systems.

See also: personnummer, samordningsnummer, civil registration, data protection, child welfare.