Federal StatisticsPeer Review 2000

Statistical information needs change in response to changes taking place in society. As the central provider of statistical information, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) must respond to these changing needs. Having grown in recent years, the SFSO has reached a high degree of professionalism by international standards and is now ranked among the leading statistical organizations. This was confirmed in the Peer Review of the Swiss Statistical System written by two chief statisticians from Canada and published in June 2000. The SFSO's own internal review, however, revealed the need for further improvement to satisfy (future) user needs.

The Canadian experts made several recommendations: the status of the SFSO should change to that of an independent institute; the formal mechanisms of cooperation between the SFSO and the cantons should be strengthened; statistical activities should be planned in a more flexible and open manner; resources should be moved and supplemented with greater flexibility; analytical capabilities should be improved.