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40 years of the Journal of Official Statistics
Last updated: 2025-09-22
For four decades, the Journal of Official Statistics (JOS) has been a leading international journal for publishing research in areas such as survey methodology and other aspects of official statistics production.
Lilli Japec with the first and latest issue of JOS. Other editors-in-chief are Suad Elezović, Ingegerd Jansson (Statistics Sweden), Li-Chun Zhang (Statistics Norway) and Henri Luomaranta-Helmivuo (Statistics Finland). Photo: Bengt Kopp.
Launched in 1985, JOS is a peer-reviewed international scientific journal published by Statistics Sweden (SCB). Since 2023, it has also been published in collaboration with the statistical agencies in Norway and Finland. The journal is published quarterly and is available digitally in English.
— JOS is widely read by researchers and statistical experts in academia, government agencies, and the private sector, says Lilli Japec, one of the journal’s five editors-in-chief.
High quality and strong reputation
JOS has played an important role in advancing methods used in official statistics. By publishing both scientific articles and discussions, the journal has contributed to the dissemination of knowledge and the development of new methods.
— Over the years, we have published many themed issues. For example, the June issue, focused on methods for integrating multiple data sources into production of official statistics, says Lilli Japec.
The journal receives a high volume of submissions, all of which undergo rigorous peer review. The editorial team is supported by a network of around 40 international associate editors. Each article is reviewed by four experts, meaning that over 100 experts contribute to JOS annually — all on a voluntary basis. The journal also has a section for book reviews. The editor of this section is Alina Mattei at the University of Neuchâtel – she also works on a voluntary basis.
─ These review efforts are crucial to maintaining the journal’s high quality and ensuring it continues to publish the latest research. This process contributes to JOS’ strong international reputation among researchers and methodology experts, says Lilli Japec.
Looking ahead: future challenges
In September, JOS published a special anniversary issue titled “Celebrating JOS Forty Years, Future Research Needs in the New Era of Official Statistics”.
─ In this anniversary issue, we look to the future. We invited 22 leading experts in various areas of statistics production to share their views on the key research needs and challenges ahead, says Lilli Japec.
The issue features articles addressing future challenges in four main areas: national statistical systems; survey data collection; statistical production, inference, and analysis; and quality in a changing environment. One article also reflects on the journal’s impact over the past 40 years.
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