Statsystemet

Statsystemet refers to the system of official statistics in Sweden. It is a decentralized system where various government agencies are responsible for collecting, producing, and disseminating statistics within their respective domains. The overarching goal of Statsystemet is to provide reliable and relevant statistical information to support decision-making, research, and public debate.

The Swedish central statistical office, Statistics Sweden (Statistiska centralbyrån or SCB), plays a key role in coordinating and developing the national statistical system. SCB is responsible for the production of a wide range of official statistics, including national accounts, population statistics, and labor market statistics. It also provides methodological support to other agencies and ensures the quality and comparability of Swedish statistics at an international level, often in cooperation with Eurostat and other international organizations.

Each government agency contributes to Statsystemet by producing statistics within its area of responsibility. For example, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) produces health and social statistics, while the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) handles environmental statistics. The agencies are bound by legislation and principles of official statistics, which emphasize accuracy, impartiality, and transparency. The development and maintenance of Statsystemet are crucial for understanding societal trends and informing policy in Sweden.