The multi-annual programme for federal statistics defines the objectives and priorities of federal statistics for the current legislative period. It provides an overview of existing statistics in thematic areas of importance to the governing of the state. It serves as a basis for the long-term planning of federal statistics and as a working tool.
Mandate and basic documents
The multi-annual programme is drawn up for each legislative period in accordance with the Federal Statistics Act (FStatA) and approved by the Federal Council at the same time as the legislative programme. As the main planning tool for official statistics, the programme is drawn up by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) in collaboration with the Confederation's other statistics producers and its main partners in federal statistics.
Tasks and working methods
Under the responsibility of the FSO, federal statistics comprises some forty federal offices and other federal institutions. Its tasks and working methods are defined in the FStatA and other legal bases. To ensure that households and enterprises are not asked to do more than is necessary, it uses data already available at federal and cantonal level wherever possible. Federal statistics is based on analysis methods that reflect the current state of research, enabling politics and society to make the most of the data available and to obtain rapid answers to their questions.
Development of statistical activities
Federal statistics produces data covering most topics. However, it must continue to develop, as the world is constantly changing: to answer new questions and face new challenges, we need information based on reliable data and statistics, compiled according to recognised methodological bases. The multi-annual programme shows what federal statistics does and what it intends to do over the legislative period to improve its products and processes as well as the use made of its data.
Strategic Objectives
Three strategic objectives have been defined for the 8th multiannual programme (PPA 2024-2027). The first concerns the customer perspective, the second, the optimisation of production processes and the third, the use of data.
Guarantee, based on a solid scientific foundation, the timeliness, independence and relevance of federal statistical products for society, the economy, politics and science, and to facilitate access to these products.
Exploit the potential of reusing data and of new collection and analysis methods to target and automate statistical production, and improve its efficiency.
Guarantee the innovative, secure and appropriate use of federal statistical data.
Portfolio of statistical activities
The portfolio presents the activities of federal statistics for the years 2024–2027. Activities relating to the same topic are grouped together by thematic areas.
Further information
Our English pages offer only a limited range of information on our statistical production. For our full range please consult our pages in French and German (top right hand screen).
