Statistics Estonia acknowledges best cooperation partners

Andres Oopkaup, Director General of Statistics Estonia explains: “This is the third time Statistics Estonia gives out best-of-the-year awards and our aim is to recognise and highlight the contribution of respondents, database and research partners in the production of official statistics.”

Upon performing statistical activities, Statistics Estonia uses primarily the data collected into the databases of the state and local governments, if these data enable to produce statistics that meet the quality criteria of official statistics. For 67% of statistical activities, Statistics Estonia uses data from databases. With the title of Best Database Partner, Statistics Estonia recognises the body that contributed the most to the smooth flow of work. Statistics Estonia gave the 2016 title to the Ministry of the Interior who manages the Population Register. “The Population Register is a strategic partner of Statistics Estonia in performing statistical activities and census taking. The administrator of the register has shown willingness to help prepare the next census and improve the data quality in the register,” said Andres Oopkaup.

In 2016, close to 40,000 enterprises and institutions, i.e. 39% of all enterprises and institutions in Estonia, submitted data to Statistics Estonia. Data is collected from respondents with questionnaires. In order to distribute the burden of respondents more evenly, where possible, sample surveys with data submitted only by a part of the target group are used. Large enterprises fill out various questionnaires and thereby make an important contribution to the production of reliable official statistics. “Eesti Energia AS, who we named the Best Respondent of 2016, stood out with exemplary data submission and pleasant long-term cooperation,” said Oopkaup.

“We wish to acknowledge the recipient of the title of Research Partner of the year, Professor Tõnu Kollo from the University of Tartu, for his efficient long-term contribution to the development of official statistics,” said Oopkaup. Tõnu Kollo is a professor of the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Tartu and the Chairman of the Statistical Council. He plays an important part in the training of statistics specialists at the University of Tartu, where he has worked as a lecturer, Chair of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2011–2012) and Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences (2012–2015). Tõnu Kollo has thoroughly researched the history of Estonian statistics, incl. the activities of the first director of the Estonian State Central Bureau of Statistics, Albert Pullerits. He has participated in the work of the evaluation committee of Albert Pullerits young statistician’s grant.

The letters of appreciation and tokens for best cooperation partners are awarded today, on 1 February 2017 in the General Meeting of Statistics Estonia.