4.4 The first population statistics in the world

In 1738, Jakob von Hökerstedt, assessor of the commercial board, presented to the Swedish Privy Council a proposal on counting the population on the basis of church registers. The proposal was not accepted as it was feared that Sweden would fare as badly as King David when he wanted to count his population. In punishment, the plague spread among the population (see Old Testament, Second Book of Samuel, 24).

The Swedish Academy of Science took a very active role for the calculation of the population. The secretary of the Academy, Pehr Elvius, studied the church registers of Uppsala and prepared a survey on children born within a period of 50 years. In 1746 the Academy of Science submitted to the Parliament Pehr Elvius' calculation of the number of population.

The Secret Commission of the Parliament was in favour of starting the compilation of population statistics. At the proposal of the Commission, forms were prepared for collecting information from the clergy. In addition, it was decided to suggest that a specific Tabular Institute (Tabellverket) be established. The royal letter on starting the compilation of population statistics was issued on 3 February 1748 and the first population data concerning the whole country were collected for the year 1749.