Metadata


Gender statistics


0. Registration entry for subjects


0.1 Name

Gender statistics

0.2 Subject area

Health and social affairs

0.3 Responsible authority; office, division, person etc.

Sigríður Vilhjálmsdóttir
Statistics Iceland
Tel.: 528 1054
Fax: 528 1199
Website: sigridur.vilhjalmsdottir@statice.is

0.4 Purpose and history

The achievement of full equality and equal opportunity between the sexes in all spheres of society is a social goal in Iceland. Therefore it is of vital importance to have information on past developments and present trends. For that purpose gender statistics are presented in special publications at the same time as statistics on individuals are presented by sex in the various subject areas. Special publications on gender statistics in Iceland followed cooperation in gender statistics of the statistical bureaus of the Nordic countries that took place in the eighties and ninties of last century.

0.5 Users and application

Individuals, media, people in administration, institutions and associations in Iceland and abroad. The material should be useful in the evaluation of the status of women and men in society and in general public debate, in policy making and as a base for decisions and activities to pursue the goal of equal right and equal status for women and men.

0.6 Sources

Data on women and men on Statistics Iceland´s website and in its publications in the area of population, health, social status, education, culture, labour market, income and wages, enterprises, elections etc. Besides additional data is collected on women and men in positions of influence.

0.7 Legal basis for official statistics

Act No 96/2000 on the Equal Status and Equal Rights of Women and Men states in article 21." In the production of official statistics on individuals and in interview and opinion surveys information shall be collected, compiled, analysed and presented on the basis of gender unless specific circumstances such as protection of privacy speak against it." Statistics Iceland had before this law came into force stressed the importance of collecting, processing and publishing data by sex.

0.8 Response burden

Much of the data used in the area of gender statistics is already to be found in the various subject areas of Statistics Iceland. Additional data is collected from outsite sources both on regular basis and in relation to special publications.

0.9 EEA and EU obligations


1. Contents


1.1 Description of content

The material covers statistics by sex on population, education, social status, health, labour market, managing positions of enterprises, income and wages, elections, positions of influence etc. when published in special publications on women and men.

1.2 Statistical concepts

Referrence is made to the appropriate subject areas in the respect of statistical concepts but most often numbers or ratios are used in the area of gender statistics.

2. Time


2.1 Reference periods

Typically the calendar year but sometimes also a given date annually, like end of year. If data is based on surveys outsite Statistcs Iceland a regular release time is less likley.

2.2 Process time

It varies and depends mostly on publications or major enquieries.

2.3 Punctuality

Key figures on women and men are published on the website of Statistics Iceland and updated annually.

2.4 Frequency of releases

Key figures on women and men on the website of Statistics Iceland are updated regularly, at least once a year, but special publications are irregular.

3. Reliability and security


3.1 Accuracy and reliability

Referrence is made to the appropriate subject areas of Statistics Iceland. Additional data is collected from publications, websites or by special enquiries to those concerned. The material is checked to the extent possible.

3.2 Sources of errors


3.3 Measures on confidence limits/accuracy


4. Comparison


4.1 Comparison between periods

Comparison is made beween years when data allows it or by occasion. Generally figures should be comparable. If there is a change in definition, data may need to be marked specifically in the time series and notes supplied.

4.2 Comparison with other statistics

Data is compared nationally when applicable or by occasion but most often data is total. Sometimes a comparison is made with statistics from other countries or in international databases.

4.3 Coherence between preliminary and final statistics


5. Access to information


5.1 Forms of dissemination

News, released on Statistics Iceland's website
Statistics, categorised statistical web tables
Statistical Series, Hagtíðindi
Statistical Yearbook of Iceland, Landshagir
Data is supplied to international data bases when required e.g. to UNECE Gender Statistics Database; Women in Science Data Base at EU.

5.2 Basic data; storage and usability

Basic data is most often supplied and processed in Excel and Word documents. Excel documents are generally used for larger questionnaires and their replies. Data are available in the Statistical Yearbook and web based tables of Statistics Iceland.

5.3 Reports

Statistical Series
Women and Men in Iceland 1994; Women and Men in Iceland 1997;
Women in Science in Iceland, published by the Ministry of Education 2002; She Figures published 2003 and 2006 by Women and Science, EU.
Women and Men in Iceland 2007, a leaflet with gender statistics published 2007 in cooperation with Centre for Gender Equality and Ministry of Social Affairs.

5.4 Other information

© Hagstofa �slands, �ann 20-3-2007