Bundesamt für Statistik

Definition

The Bundesamt für Statistik, or Federal Statistical Office, is the central authority in Switzerland responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating statistical information about various aspects of Swiss society, economy, and demographics. This institution plays a crucial role in providing reliable data that informs government policy, economic planning, and public understanding, thereby reflecting key values and aspects of family life in German-speaking regions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Bundesamt für Statistik conducts regular censuses that provide insights into population dynamics, which are essential for understanding family structures and living conditions.
2. Data from the Bundesamt can reveal trends in marriage rates, divorce rates, and household sizes, giving a clearer picture of changing family values.
3. The office collaborates with other governmental agencies to ensure comprehensive data collection that addresses issues like education and employment, impacting families directly.
4. Statistics from this office are often used to inform public policy decisions regarding family support programs and social services.
5. The Bundesamt für Statistik publishes reports that include analyses of demographic changes which help in understanding the evolving role of families in society.

Review Questions

• How does the Bundesamt für Statistik contribute to understanding family dynamics in Switzerland?
  • The Bundesamt für Statistik plays a vital role in understanding family dynamics by collecting and analyzing data related to demographics, marriage and divorce rates, and household compositions. This information helps to reveal trends in family structures and living conditions over time. By providing reliable statistics, the office supports researchers and policymakers in making informed decisions that directly affect families.
• Evaluate the impact of data provided by the Bundesamt für Statistik on public policy related to family support services.
  • Data from the Bundesamt für Statistik significantly impacts public policy regarding family support services by offering a clear picture of demographic changes and societal needs. Policymakers utilize this information to tailor programs that assist families facing economic challenges or changing social structures. For instance, if statistics show an increase in single-parent households, resources can be allocated to address their specific needs more effectively.
• Assess how the role of the Bundesamt für Statistik might change as societal values regarding family continue to evolve.
  • As societal values around family continue to evolve, the role of the Bundesamt für Statistik may expand to include more comprehensive data collection on diverse family forms such as same-sex couples or multi-generational households. This could lead to the development of new methodologies for capturing these trends accurately. The office might also focus on analyzing how socio-economic factors affect these evolving family structures, ensuring that their data remains relevant and impactful in shaping future policies.

Related terms

Statistik: The science of collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting numerical data to understand trends and make informed decisions.

Demografie: The statistical study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends in population changes over time.

Sozialforschung: The systematic study of human society and social relationships through various research methods to understand social phenomena.