Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
First results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference.
3.2. Classification system
Not applicable.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The statistics is fully register-based and the concepts are therefore depended on the register.
3.4.1. Residence definition for data sent to Eurostat
See sheet 3.4.1 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
3.4.2. National definition
See sheet 3.4.2 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
3.4.3. Deviation of national definition from the definition used in data sent to Eurostat
See sheet 3.4.3 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
3.5. Statistical unit
Number of persons.
3.6. Statistical population
See sheet 3.6 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
3.7. Reference area
Data are available only at national level of geographical detail.
3.8. Coverage - Time
See concept 5.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Counts of statistical units
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31December). The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred.
The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
This section shows the links to national methodology reports and reference metadata files available on-line concerning the supplied data.
See sheet 10.6 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
The register on population statistics is based on daily updates from the Danish Population Register. All occurrences on the resident population such as internal and external migration, births, deaths, marriages and divorces are registered in the Population Register. Statistics Denmark waits 30 days after a reference date before producing the population data, in order to ensure the updates from delayed registrations.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The Population Register used for producing the statistical register on population statistics in Statistics Denmark is considered of high quality and to cover the whole registered population. Legal residents are registered on the address they live at and their place of usual residence will be the address on the reference date.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not available.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
Not available.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
This section outlines the potential reasons for unreliability in data concerning population, live births, deaths, immigration, emigration and net migration.
See sheet 13.1 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
13.2. Sampling error
In case of survey as data source, this section provides information on the part of the difference between a population value and an estimate thereof, derived from a random sample, which is because only a subset of the population is enumerated.
See sheet 13.2 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
13.3. Non-sampling error
In case of survey as data source, this section provides information on the error in survey estimates which cannot be attributed to sampling fluctuations.
See sheet 13.3 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
14.1. Timeliness
Not available.
14.2. Punctuality
Not available.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Data is comparable between geographical areas.
15.2. Comparability - over time
This section provides information on the length of comparable time series (indicating the first reference year for which data are available), reference periods at which break in series occurs, the reasons for the breaks and treatments of them.
See sheet 15.2 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not available.
15.4. Coherence - internal
There is coherence in the demographic balancing equation.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not available.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not available.
18.1. Source data
This section provides a list of data sources used for the first reference year and any subsequent changes thereto, to produce data.
See sheet 18.1 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Daily updates from the Central Population Register.
18.3. Data collection
The register on population statistics is compiled via daily updates from the Danish Population Register. The updates are stored in a database on statistics on persons (PSD).
18.4. Data validation
Data from the Population Register is considered highly reliable and data is therefore not further validated.
18.5. Data compilation
The register on population statistics is compiled via daily updates from the Danish Population Register. The updates are stored in a database on statistics on persons (PSD). All statistics on population are withdrawn from this database.
18.6. Adjustment
There is a statistical adjustment of the population due to two things; first, annulments of deaths, immigrations and emigrations and second, missing and recoved people.
First results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference.
8 June 2026
The statistics is fully register-based and the concepts are therefore depended on the register.
Number of persons.
See sheet 3.6 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
Data are available only at national level of geographical detail.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31December). The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred.
The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred.
This section outlines the potential reasons for unreliability in data concerning population, live births, deaths, immigration, emigration and net migration.
See sheet 13.1 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
Counts of statistical units
The register on population statistics is compiled via daily updates from the Danish Population Register. The updates are stored in a database on statistics on persons (PSD). All statistics on population are withdrawn from this database.
This section provides a list of data sources used for the first reference year and any subsequent changes thereto, to produce data.
See sheet 18.1 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
Not available.
Not available.
Data is comparable between geographical areas.
This section provides information on the length of comparable time series (indicating the first reference year for which data are available), reference periods at which break in series occurs, the reasons for the breaks and treatments of them.
See sheet 15.2 in the annex at the bottom of the file.
