look at this: About Statistics Iceland

Statistics Iceland is the National Statistical Institute of Iceland and was founded in 1914. Until the end of 2007, Statistics Iceland was formally a a government ministry. During this time, the main legal basis for Statistics Iceland and its work was an Act of 1913, as well as other acts on official statistics, the Act and statutes on the Central Government Administration.

On 1 January 2008 the ministerial status of Statistics Iceland was abolished and a new Act on Statistics Iceland and official statistics took effect, replacing most of the older legislation. Under this Act Statistics Iceland is a professionally-independent institution under the aegis of the Prime Minister. Article 1 of the Act states that Statistics Iceland is the centre for official statistics in Iceland and has the leading role in the organisation, coordination and conduct thereof, and also in cooperation with international organisations concerning statistics.

The chief executive officer of Statistics Iceland is the Director General. In connection with these changes, Hallgrímur Snorrason who had served as DG for 23 years retired at the end of 2007. The post of Director General was advertised in Icelandic newspapers on 16 December with a closing date for applications on 10 January 2008. The new Director General is Ólafur Hjálmarsson.

In addition to the legislation mentioned above and special laws on price and wage indices, Statistics Iceland operates in accordance with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, the European Statistics Code of Practice as well as the Act on the Protection of Privacy regarding the processing of personal data. Furthermore Statistics Iceland has laid down its own Rules of Procedure for Treating Confidential Data.

Statistics Iceland is divided into three divisions – economic statistics, social statistics and resources and services. The present organisation chart of Statistics Iceland is effective as of 1 April 2008.

The division of economic statistics comprises five departments. The department of business statistics produces statistics on enterprises, fish catch, manufactured products, IT use and more. The external trade department processes data on imports, exports, and balance of trade. The department on national accounts and public finance is responsible for the annual production and expenditure accounts, quarterly national accounts, income distribution, short term indicators and statistics on public finances and sector accounts. The price statistics department compiles the consumer price index, building cost index, producer price index and related indices. The Director of the division of economic statistics is Rósmundur Guðnason.

The division of social statistics comprises four departments. Data on education, culture and media is collected and produced in the department of education and culture. The department of labour market and social statistics deals with statistics on employment, living conditions and social matters, health, gender, justice and environment statistics. The population statistics department produces demographic and population statistics. The department of wage statistics collects and produces data on wages, earnings and labour cost. The Director of the social statistics division is Magnús S. Magnússon who also serves as the Deputy Director-General.

The resources and services division is responsible for support of and services for the operation of Statistics Iceland. The survey department collects data for the production of statistics within Statistics Iceland. The information department provides statistical information for the public, and is responsible for publishing and web management. The department of information technology is responsible for the operation and the development of the IT-system of the institution. The resources and services division also deals with IT development, methods and standards, classifications, quality management and human resources. The Director of the resources and services division is Hrafnhildur Arnkelsdóttir.

Management and finance appertain to the Director-General and the financial manager is Hólmfríður Gísladóttir.

The management board is formed by the Director-General, the division Directors and the Financial Manager.

The National Population Registry was a part of Statistics Iceland until 1 July 2006 when it was transferred to the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs.