History of Estonian statistics

On 1 March 1921, the State Statistical Central Bureau of the Republic of Estonia was established. Mr Albert Pullerits became the leader thereof.
This date can be considered the birthday of Estonian statistics.

Main events of Estonian statistics

2011

Statistics Estonia celebrated the 90th anniversary of statistics in Estonia. To mark the occasion, Statistics Estonia launched the Albert Pullerits young statistician’s grant and initiated the installation of a commemorative plaque on the former building of the State Statistical Central Bureau.
The 2011 Population and Housing Census began on 31 December. This was the eleventh census in Estonia’s history and the first paperless census: residents could complete the census questionnaires online and those who did not complete the census online were visited by an enumerator who entered the data on a laptop.
To celebrate the beginning of the population and housing census, Statistics Estonia published a book about censuses in Estonia, titled “Eesti rahvastik. Viis põlvkonda ja kümme loendust”.
The Statistical Council was re-established after an interval of more than 70 years. Its first chair is Ms Luule Sakkeus.

2010

The Riigikogu passed the Official Statistics Act.
Agricultural Census was carried out.
Statistics Estonia joined the social networks Facebook and Twitter and opened its statistics blog.

2009

In connection with Estonia’s application for accession to OECD, a respective assessment mission of OECD visited Statistics Estonia with the aim to assess the compliance of Estonian official statistics with the statistical requirements of OECD.
All Statistics Estonia’s publications were made available free of charge on the web site.

2008

The strategy of Statistics Estonia for 2008–2011 was approved. Statistics Estonia’s main goal for this strategy period is to gain a reputation of, respect for and effective use of official statistics in the society, high-quality professional information service and partnership with respondents.
Statistics Estonia gave up paper-based submission of reports by enterprises.
To mark the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, Statistics Estonia published a statistical collection “Aegamööda asi kaunis”.
The Director General of Statistics Estonia was elected as a member of the Partnership Group of the European Statistical System for a term of two years.

2007

Statistics Estonia started to implement the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) quality management system. For the first time, Statistics Estonia was awarded the certificate ”Edasipürgiv organisatsioon” by Eesti Kvaliteediühing (Estonian Association for Quality) and the equivalent EFQM certificate Committed to Excellence.

2006

An electronic data transmission channel eSTAT was launched. For this step Statistics Estonia won the first place in the competition Best Innovation 2006 organised by the State Chancellery.
Independent EU experts assessed the compliance of the Estonian official statistical system with the European Statistics Code of Practice. The experts pointed out Estonia’s best legal background in the European Statistical System for using administrative data as well as Estonia’s equal treatment of all users when publishing data.
Statistics Estonia took a new visual identity into use.
Statistics Estonia’s network of interviewers started to use laptops for collecting data.

2005

A contact centre of respondents was set up for enterprises.

2004

Estonia joined the European Union and Statistics Estonia became a part of the European Statistical System.
Mr Priit Potisepp became the Director General of Statistics Estonia.

2003

The progress report issued by the European Commission gave a positive assessment to Estonian statistics.
The first strategy of Statistics Estonia was approved (for 2003–2007). Statistics Estonia’s main goals in the strategy period were to provide the society with an overview of the situation and trends in the country, to use efficient and scientifically grounded methods for producing statistics, to bring production of statistics into compliance with international agreements and requirements, to reduce the burden of respondents and make use of up-to-date information technology possibilities.

2002

The Eurostat mission assessed the activities of Statistics Estonia in bringing official statistics into compliance with the Europan Union requirements as positive.

2001

The Statistical Database was made available for users via the web site.
Agricultural Census, the first one after the restoration of independence, was conducted in Estonia.

2000

Population and Housing Census, the first one after the restoration of independence, was conducted.
The production of official statistics was centralised – regional statistical bureaus were closed.

1999

The Statistical Yearbook was published on CD-ROM for the first time. CD-ROMs enabled to publish longer time series on a lot of subject areas compared to printed publications and made the presentation of regional statistics possible.

1998

The web site of Statistics Estonia www.stat.ee was opened.
Estonia started accession negotiations with the European Union. In relation to that, Statistics Estonia for the first time attended a sitting of the subcommittee holding negotiations on the Association Agreement between the European Union and Estonia.
For the first time, Statistics Estonia participated in the meeting of the United Nations Statistical Commission.

1997

The Riigikogu passed the Official Statistics Act.
Statistics Estonia started to publish the release calendar where publication dates of news releases and publications were announced in advance.

1996

The organisation got its current name Statistics Estonia (previous name: Statistical Office of Estonia).
Financial key ratios were worked out in enterprise statistics and input-output tables in macroeconomics.
The first User Survey of Statistics was carried out.
An anniversary of Estonian statistics was celebrated for the first time (an open doors day, a book exhibition, a meeting at the National Library of Estonia and a festive evening at the Sakala Centre were the events organised to mark the 75th anniversary).

1995

A joint declaration was signed by Eurostat (Statistical Office of the European Communities) and the statistical offices of the Baltic Republics. This step opened new opportunities for Statistics Estonia’s employees to participate in the Eurostat work meetings, seminars and courses and for creating relations with all EU Member States as well as Phare states.
The Household Income and Consumption Survey was carried out.

1994

The structure of Statistics Estonia was reorganised. The former 17 local statistical offices were replaced by seven regional statistical bureaus.
A national network of interviewers was created. The first sample surveys of personal statistics – the Living Conditions Survey (in cooperation with the Norwegian Social Research Institute) and the Labour Force Survey were conducted.
Statistics Estonia started to issue news releases to inform the public of the newly published data and their availability.
The first catalogue of statistical publications was compiled and users of statistics were given a possibility to subscribe to publications.

1993

Extensive reorganisation took place in Statistics Estonia, in the course of which a new structure was built up and the main functions of the agency were brought into accordance with the needs of the independent state and international requirements.
Statistical profile or a register of active economic entities was established and, instead of the census, Statistics Estonia started to use sample surveys.
A public statistics library was opened in Statistics Estonia for all interested persons.

1992

The Director General of Statistics Estonia started to participate in the conferences of European Statisticians being at the same time himself a member of the CES (Conference of European Statisticians) Bureau.
A cooperation programme was started for developing the statistical system and bringing it into conformity with international requirements. This programme involved the European Union, EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and the Baltic Republics.
In the organisation of statistical reporting, the SNA (System of National Accounts) developed by the UN was taken as basis.
The Estonian Statistical Society was established.

1991

Mr Rein Veetõusme was assigned to the post of Director General of the State Statistical Office of the Republic of Estonia.
The first issue of "Eesti statistika aastaraamat. Yearbook of Estonian Statistics” was published.

1990

The Statistics Act of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic was passed.
The first international cooperation agreement was concluded (with Statistics Sweden) with a view to developing the Estonian statistical system and bringing statistics into compliance with international requirements.