Coordination and quality assurance through a programme for official statistics: The Norwegian case

During the last few years, coordination and cooperation in the production of official statistics have been emphasised in the international statistical community. Updated versions of quality frameworks strengthen coordination as a key for improving the quality of official statistics. Quality requirements for such statistics have been clarified. This is also reflected in amended or new statistical legislation. In Norway a new statistics act was adopted in 2019, prescribing a multiannual programme for official statistics. The first draft programme has been prepared by Statistics Norway in cooperation with other producers of such statistics. It was adopted by the Government at the end of 2020. The programme defines requirements for and the content of official statistics, and which authorities will be responsible for the production of these statistics. This paper considers how a programme for official statistics can promote coordination, cooperation and quality improvements of official statistics. Preparing the programme for Norway has revealed some challenges which are discussed. These comprise issues linked to professional independence and impartiality of producers of official statistics and the relationship between official statistics and management information. Reflections on these challenges and how they are resolved are important to establish a good understanding of the concept “official statistics”.