A book with a history

The Statistical Yearbook has been published annually since 1896. Leafing through the yearbook, the reader is introduced to parts of Danish history. From the first volume of the yearbook and onwards, the reader becomes aware of the existence of stories at different levels, each testifying to the great number of changes in Danish society and Danish language.

At present, it is only a selection of yearbooks that can be downloaded, but they will be available on the Internet as soon as they are scanned. Visitors to Statistics Denmark¿s library (Sankt Kjelds Plads 11, 2100 København Ø) will be able to read and study all yearbooks of the past years.

Some tables are gradually omitted, if they are no longer of any importance to society, or because financial resources are not allocated for their upkeep.

Other tables are extended to include more categories or separate tables. Examples are income statistics, where the present yearbooks now include considerably larger and longer tables on income distributed by age, occupation, etc.

Other tables are reduced with regard to their size or number. For example, tables on Danish agriculture take up slowly, but with absolute certainty, less space in the yearbook, while statistics on the tertiary sector (trade and services, ICT, transport, etc.) gradually take up more and more space.

New tendencies are reflected by new tables 
New tables are also continuously being introduced as a reaction to the tendencies in society. Year by year, it is only a small number of tables that are introduced, but over a great number of years, they give a clear picture of the developments in society. Below, examples of new tables, which are of historical interest to society, are mentioned:

In the Statistical Yearbook 1909 automobiles are becoming so widespread on the Danish roads, resulting in the construction of a table showing the number of motor vehicles. 

Two decades later (in the Statistical Yearbook 1933) traffic accidents caused by, among others, cars became so widespread that a table showing traffic accidents was constructed and included in the yearbook.

In more recent years, pollution caused by cars has become a subject in the yearbook, which is also true of pollution caused by agriculture, shipping, etc.

At the beginning of the history of the yearbook, the trade union movements are becoming popular, and this is reflected by new tables in the yearbook showing the number of trade union members and work stoppages. Today, data for the tables are still compiled.

Later, this area was supplemented by statistics on industrial injuries, absence due to sickness, atypical working hours, working time accounts, and other statistics relating to working conditions.

Statistics on radio and TV gradually appear and are extended, concurrently with the media becoming more widespread. An example of a new statistical area is ICT statistics.

The Statistical Yearbook comprises figures on usage of ICT and the Internet by businesses and citizens. There is also information on families possessing, e.g. DVD recorders and MP3 players, etc.