Earlier this year, a thorough quality audit, Peer Review, was carried out at Statistics Iceland with the aim of assessing whether the country's statistical system meets the principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice. Such audits are carried out on a regular basis and include statistical offices in Europe which participate in the European Statistical System (ESS), including Eurostat.
The audit was carried out by a team of independent experts who among other things assessed the professionalism and processing methods of Statistics Iceland and the extent to which the institution meets the quality requirements for European statistical reporting.
The final report of the quality audit is now available. It includes 17 suggestions on what can be done better in Icelandic statistical reporting. Of these suggestions, there are two on how to better enforce the principles and 15 reform proposals.
The report notes that Statistics Iceland plays a central role in the Icelandic statistical system, that it enjoys great trust, and that the law which underpin the institution guarantees its independence and the safe handling of data. Furthermore, that Statistics Iceland is characterised by professionalism, well-educated staff and high adaptability.
On the other hand, it is noted that as Iceland is a small country by population, Statistics Iceland is a small statistical institution by European standards. At the same time, its obligations are the same as those of other statistical offices in the European Economic Area. Moreover, that funding for Statistics Iceland must enable the institution to fulfill Iceland's commitments to European statistical cooperation and the great challenges which that entails.
Statistics Iceland has, in accordance with the laws that apply to it, responded to this by increasing the use of administrative records instead of sample surveys in order to increase the efficiency of statistical reporting. However, the use of administrative registers is not without shortcomings, for example when changes occur in administrative practices or the registration process.
The audit concludes that, in general, Icelandic statistical reporting, both by Statistics Iceland and other producers of statistics in Iceland, the Central Bank of Iceland and the Directorate of Health, is in good accordance with the principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice.
However, it is also noted that there is a lack of coordinated statistical reporting system at the national level that includes all national producers of statistics. Furthermore, that the role of each statistics producer needs to be clarified. The importance of these shortcomings being rectified is stressed. Ensuring that Icelandic statistical reporting meets European quality standards in this respect is a matter for Statistics Iceland and the Prime Minister's Office.