Changes in Statistics Finland's statistics production in 2027 – changes smaller than estimated
NewsStatistics Finland has outlined the changes to the production of statistics. The plans in the spring have been considerably revised in the further preparation following the consultation round. In many instances, solutions enabling the continuation of statistics with reduced data content or with a new implementation method were found instead of discontinuing the statistics.
A significant share of the savings will be achieved through changes that have less impact on users than anticipated. Some of the changes mean less frequent dissemination or reduced data content. The number of statistics to be completely discontinued or suspended is 15, which corresponds to about ten per cent of all statistics produced by Statistics Finland. The content of the statistics to be discontinued is smaller than average, so the volume of statistics production is estimated to contract by only a few per cent as a result of the changes.
“The consultation round showed that all statistics have users who need them. Because of that, it was not easy to make decisions about the changes,” says Deputy Director General Mari Ylä-Jarkko.
Most of the changes will be implemented during 2027. The objective of the changes is to safeguard the continuity and adequate quality of statutory statistical production as well as the capacity to respond to the EU’s new statutory statistical needs that are already known.
The now outlined changes in statistics production will achieve annual savings of around EUR 600,000, which is clearly less than was sought. The outline could be made because Statistics Finland has been able to strengthen simultaneously the production processes of EU statutory statistics and the benefits gained from this compensate for part of the reduction need. In addition, significant additional funding for statistics production was found during the stakeholder discussion round. However, Statistics Finland's economic situation will not strengthen quite as sought with these measures.
Solutions to the most sought-after information needs
The feedback from the consultation round impacted the prioritisation of statistics and how the changes are implemented. Concerning some statistics, the data content will be reduced or data will be published less often than before instead of discontinuing them. In addition, new funding or production solutions were found for several statistics in cooperation with data users and other data producers.
“During the consultation round, feedback was received especially concerning the population projection, election statistics and statistics on offences and coercive measures. The growth and productivity measures and the cost index of civil engineering works have also sparked discussion,” says Deputy Director General Mari Ylä-Jarkko.
The aim is to publish the population projection in 2027 to 2028 in a renewed form, which describes the uncertainties related to the projection better than at present. Development work is carried out in cooperation with population and pension researchers. If the revision cannot be implemented within the target schedule, a population projection based on the present model will be published during the transition stage.
In future, data on the candidates will be published in election statistics and statistics will be compiled after the confirmed election result. The change is estimated to have a limited impact on data users.
Several individual statistical tables will be discontinued in the statistics on offences and coercive measures but the availability of the most critical data is secured. In addition to strengthening justice statistics, means to develop data production related to criminal and justice statistics are explored in cooperation with other authorities.
Statistics Finland continues discussion with stakeholders about the development of growth and productivity measures.
Some of the transport statistics will be transferred to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. The solution reduces overlapping data production by authorities and clarifies the responsibilities in data production in the field of transport.
Despite the changes made to statistical releases, the entire body of research datasets available to researchers is not estimated to weaken. Statistics Finland will continue to receive, process and release research datasets in future as well.
More detailed data on changes in the statistics are published in connection with this news item.
Changes in statistics production alone do not solve the economic challenges
By means of the consultation round, new funding solutions and increasing operational efficiency, the impact of the changes on statistics production could be lowered from the original plans. However, these solutions alone are not enough to remove the pressures on Statistics Finland's economy.
“The outlined saving measures do not fully cover the economic pressure arising from central government saving measures and changes in the operating environment. Financial planning for 2027 is still in progress, but according to the current estimate, Statistics Finland's economy will continue to be significantly in deficit next year, too,” says Director General Markus Sovala.
Further information
Mari Ylä-Jarkko (Deputy Director General responsible for statistics production)
+358 29 551 3880
Hannele Orjala (Project Director, funding negotiations)
+358 29 551 3582
Markus Sovala (Director General, questions concerning Statistics Finland's economy)
+358 29 551 3100