Developing the Norwegian quality system for official statistics

Abstract

This paper presents the development of Norway's quality system for official statistics during the period 2021–2025. The system was initiated following the full implementation of the new Statistics Act, which requires Statistics Norway (SSB) to submit an annual public report on the quality of all official statistics to the Ministry of Finance. The article traces the evolution of the system from its initial proposal in 2021, highlighting key milestones, methodological developments, and institutional arrangements. Central to the system are two instruments for assessing quality: systematic quality evaluations covering all statistics in the national programme for official statistics, and targeted quality reviews, enhanced through the application of the total error framework. The paper also details how the system links assessment to action: quality assessments generate recommendations, producers propose measures for improvement, and SSB follows up on their implementation. Finally, we discuss lessons learnt from the development and operation of the system and identify elements that may be transferable to other countries seeking to strengthen quality management in official statistics.

Keywords

quality system quality reviews European Statistics Code of Practice

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