Statistik Austria: The Federal Statistical Office of Austria
Data is the foundation of informed governance and societal understanding. In Austria, this critical task is managed by Statistik Austria (locally known as Statistik Austria), the nation's official Federal Statistical Office. As the primary agency responsible for collecting and publishing official statistics, it provides the empirical evidence necessary for analyzing the country's development and current state.
Key Facts
- Official Name: Bundesanstalt Statistik Österreich.
- Status: Independent, not-profit-seeking institution with public rights.
- Core Mission: Fulfilling the services of the Bundesstatistik (Federal Statistics).
- Key Metrics: Calculates the Gender-related Development Index (GDI).
- Leadership: Directed by Gabriela Petrovic (administrative matters) and Tobias Thomas.
Organizational Structure and Governance
Statistik Austria operates as an independent entity, ensuring that the data it produces remains objective and free from commercial influence. Its primary mandate is to execute the duties of the Bundesstatistik, the comprehensive system of federal statistics for the Republic of Austria.
The agency is currently led by two directors general. Gabriela Petrovic oversees the administrative functions of the organization, while Tobias Thomas serves as a director general alongside her.
A History of Statistical Evolution
While the modern iteration of the agency was formalized recently, its roots stretch back nearly two centuries. The organization was originally established in 1829 as the "Statistical Bureau." Over the decades, it underwent several name changes reflecting the political and administrative shifts of the region.
In 1840, it became the Direktion der Administrativen Statistik, and by 1863, it was known as the K&K Statistische Zentralkommission. During the First Austrian Republic (1921–1938), the agency was titled the Bundesamt für Statistik. Following the Second World War, from 1945 until 1999, it operated as the Österreichisches Statistisches Zentralamt (Austrian Statistical Central Office).
The most recent transformation occurred in 2000, when a federal law for statistics officially transitioned the Austrian Statistical Central Office into the current entity, Statistik Austria.
| Period/Year | Agency Name |
|---|---|
| 1829 | Statistical Bureau |
| 1840 | Direktion der Administrativen Statistik |
| 1863 | K&K Statistische Zentralkommission |
| 1921–1938 | Bundesamt für Statistik |
| 1945–1999 | Österreichisches Statistisches Zentralamt |
| 2000–Present | Statistik Austria (Bundesanstalt Statistik Österreich) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Statistik Austria?
Statistik Austria is the official Federal Statistical Office of Austria, responsible for the collection and publication of the country's official statistics.
Is Statistik Austria a commercial company?
No, it is an independent, not-profit-seeking institution with public rights.
What is the GDI and who calculates it in Austria?
The GDI, or Gender-related Development Index, is a measure of development disparities between genders, and it is calculated by Statistik Austria.
Who are the current directors of the agency?
The agency is led by directors general Tobias Thomas and Gabriela Petrovic, with Petrovic specifically handling administrative matters.
When was the agency first founded?
The organization was originally founded in 1829 under the name "Statistical Bureau."