4.14 Population statistics enter a new era

Establishment of the Central Population Register and introduction of personal identity numbers for production of statistics were major reforms. This started a new age for compilation of population statistics in which combination of individual-level information became possible. It also allowed producers of statistics to diversify the content of statistics. Therefore, adoption of personal identity numbers in basic population statistics data and utilisation of information technology can with good reason be regarded among the most significant revisions since the compilation of population statistics was started in 1749.

While register keepers had previously sent the information direct to the Central Statistical Office (from 1971 Statistics Finland), in the new system the information was collected centrally in the Population Register Centre and then forwarded on magnetic tapes to Statistics Finland. This renewal took place in 1975.

Introduction of personal identity numbers also opened new opportunities for demographic research. Combining different statistical data by means of personal identity numbers resulted in new, more useful research data for the use of statistics producers and researchers. Research activities entered a new stage when part of studies could be conducted without expensive interviews.