Cantonal statistics and federal statistics: Process of integration of the statistical system of Switzerland

Abstract

This paper describes some significant stages of the history of Swiss official statistics and focuses on some particular aspects and problems in developing national statistical activities within a multilingual and cross cultural federal State. It shows the need for concerted action and cooperation between the regional statistical services and the Federal Statistical Office. It stresses the importance of the approach of subsidiarity, the challenge of regional breakdown of statistical information and the need for harmonizing administrative registers at all levels of the federal system (municipalities, cantons and the Federal State). Finally, it suggests that the federalist model should be seen as a network of communication, coordination and joint action: a model of integration which reconciles the particular nature of federal institutions with the inherent requirements for the development of a national statistical system.