History of Estonian statistics
Main events in the history of Estonian statistics
2024 Statistics Estonia focuses on reducing the administrative burden to save time for respondents. As a result, Estonia becomes the first EU country where enterprises engaged in foreign trade no longer have to report arrivals data, which decreases the reporting burden by a third, on average. Statistics Estonia hosts the DGINS conference and is recognised by the city of Tallinn for organising one of the standout events in 2024.
2023 Statistics Estonia defines a customer-centric future perspective and continues efforts to ease the reporting burden.
Preparations for implementing a service-oriented management model are made, in order to achieve an increased focus on customers and better role clarity. The UNECE task force on data stewardship, led by Statistics Estonia, completes a report on data governance. Statistics Estonia launches a series of blog posts to promote data literacy and explain statistical concepts and processes.
2022 Statistics Estonia finalises the development plan for 2023–2030. Over the year, the results of the population and housing census are published. Short-term labour market statistics are published, commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs (the project ended with 2024).
2021 Statistics Estonia celebrates the 100th anniversary of Estonian statistics. Among other things, the virtual exhibition “100 Years of Estonian Statistics” is opened, and an anniversary postage stamp is issued. The “Andmepärl” competition is launched to recognise outstanding infographics. This is also the year of the twelfth population and housing census in Estonia.
2020 Statistics Estonia publishes the interactive tools Wages and salaries and Dashboards, which include business data, regional statistics and indicators of development plans.
2019 Statistics Estonia presents the first interactive visualisation applications Foreign trade and the Tree of Truth, measuring important national indicators. Statistics Estonia achieves the gold level in the family-friendly employer programme.
2018 In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, Statistics Estonia publishes "Republic of Estonia 100. Statistical Album". For the first time, the indicators of sustainable development are published according to the SDGs of the UN 2030 Agenda.
2017 Statistics Estonia chairs the Council Working Party on Statistics during the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
2016 Reporting 3.0, a joint initiative of the Tax and Customs Board, Statistics Estonia and Eesti Pank, is launched to reduce the data providing burden of enterprises. Statistics Estonia introduces the hugely successful name statistics application.
2015 Statistics Estonia is awarded the Green Office certificate and the Green Office of the Year award.
2014 Statistics Estonia publishes the population projection until 2040. The statistics map application is launched.
2012 The 2011 Population and Housing Census is carried out. For the first time, Estonian residents can participate in the census online.
2011 Statistics Estonia celebrates the 90th anniversary of Estonian statistics. To mark the occasion, Statistics Estonia launches the Albert Pullerits prize.
2010 The Riigikogu passes the Official Statistics Act.
2009 Estonia applies for accession to OECD. An assessment mission of OECD assesses the compliance of Estonian official statistics with OECD statistical requirements.
2006 Statistics Estonia introduces the electronic data transmission channel eSTAT, which places first in the competition Best Innovation 2006 organised by the Government Office.
2004 Estonia joins the European Union and Statistics Estonia becomes a part of the European Statistical System.
2001 The statistical database is made available on the website.
2000 The first Population and Housing Census after the restoration of independence takes place. The production of official statistics is centralised and regional statistical bureaus are closed.
1998 The website of Statistics Estonia www.stat.ee is launched.
1997 The Riigikogu passes the Official Statistics Act.
1995 A joint declaration was signed by Eurostat (statistical office of the European Union) and the statistical offices of the Baltic countries.
1994 The structure of Statistics Estonia is reorganised. The former 17 local statistical offices are replaced by seven regional statistical bureaus. A national network of interviewers is established and the first sample surveys are conducted for statistics on persons.
1993 Statistical profile, or a register of active economic entities, is established. Instead of the census, Statistics Estonia starts to use sample surveys.
1992 A cooperation programme is started involving the European Union, EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and the Baltic Republics for developing the statistical system and bringing it into conformity with international requirements. The Estonian Statistical Society is established.
1991 The first issue of "Eesti statistika aastaraamat. Yearbook of Estonian Statistics” is published.
1990 The Statistics Act of the Estonian SSR is passed. The first international cooperation agreement is concluded (with Statistics Sweden) with a view to developing the Estonian statistical system and bringing statistics into compliance with international requirements. Statistics Estonia is established as the statistical office of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Estonia.
1959 The first post-war population census is conducted.
1941 The registration of the entire population is organised by the Estonian Statistics Administration.
1940 The State Statistical Central Bureau is abolished following the beginning of Soviet rule.
1937 An economic census is conducted, covering industry, handicraft, trade and transport.
1925 The first Estonian agricultural census is conducted.
1922 The Riigikogu adopts the statutes of the State Statistical Central Bureau. The first population census of the Republic of Estonia is conducted.
1921 The beginning of Estonian statistics: the Estonian State Statistical Central Bureau of Statistics is established on 1 March with Albert Pullerits as its director.