The Nordic Statistics Database: New harmonised immigration data and rapid insights across the Nordic regio

– The database is updated monthly, as soon as new data is received from the statistical agencies. Fresh indicators are added each month, says Vitor Miranda, Project Manager for the Nordic Statistics Database at Nordregio.

When exploring the database, users can find statistics on almost any topic related to the Nordic countries. The user-friendly interface enables users to select only the relevant variables for each query.

The Demography category was recently updated as part of a special project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, aimed at harmonising immigration data.

– There are differences in immigration rules and definitions across the Nordic countries. For instance, some statistical agencies define an immigrant as someone born abroad, while others consider a person’s citizenship. These definitions have been harmonised in the statistics, Vitor Miranda explains.

Similar questions regarding second-generation immigrants were also harmonised.

– The results of this special immigration project are now available. Future updates will also be more frequent.

A long history of statistics

The Nordic Statistics Database’s origins trace back to the annual Nordic Statistical Yearbook, which was first published in 1962.

– Over the years, the publication served as a valuable resource for researchers, politicians, civil servants, journalists, and the general public seeking comparable and easily accessible Nordic statistics on a wide range of topics, Vitor Miranda explains.

Today, much of this information is widely available online. Miranda cites comparable examples where people can find statistics about the Nordic countries, including the UN database, World Bank, OECD, and Eurostat.

– However, the Nordic Statistics Database stands out for having a far greater volume of comparable Nordic data than any other online resource.

Nordic policies favour the collection of statistics

– What makes the Nordic Statistics Database unique today is its reliance on statistical systems based on register data. For example, registers from the Tax Authorities are used for population counts, while data from the National Agency for Education is utilised to generate education statistics.

While the Nordic Statistics Database partly contains data from Eurostat and other agencies, it is the register data that makes it especially unique. Unlike many countries in the EU and beyond, the Nordic countries do not rely on surveys or censuses to publish statistics. Consequently, statistics that would be both costly and time-consuming to obtain in other countries can be easily accessed in the Nordics.

– The registers allow the Nordic countries to publish a broader range of statistics than most other countries. Moreover, since registers are digitalised, statistics can be produced very quickly. This makes the Nordic Statistics Database truly unique.

Text: Sebastian Dahlström
Photo: Giovanni Gagliardi/Mostphotos