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.
Office of Statistics Liechtenstein Aeulestrasse 51 9490 Vaduz Liechtenstein
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
28 August 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
28 August 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
28 August 2026
3.1. Data description
Data on causes of death (CoD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
CoD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
Data on causes of death (CoD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
CoD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The medical certification of death is an obligation in all Member States. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is coded into ICD codes according to the rules specified in the ICD. Data are broken down by sex, 5-year age groups, cause of death and by residency and country of occurrence.
3.2. Classification system
See table 3.2 “Classification system” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Public Health.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
3.4.1. National definition used for usual residency
The permanent resident population in Liechtenstein includes all Liechtenstein residents and foreigners who reside in Liechtenstein for 12 months or longer on the reference date or who intend to reside in Liechtenstein for 12 months or longer.
3.4.2. Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected
Liechtenstein is exempted from collecting data on stillbirths because data on stillbirths from neighbouring countries are not available to national authorities.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
3.6. Statistical population
Information relating to this concept is provided by reporting on its sub-concepts.
3.6.1. Neonates of non-resident mothers
Neonates of non-resident mothers are not considered residents.
3.6.2. Non-residents
Non-residents are covered.
3.6.3. Residents dying abroad
Residents dying abroad are included. The public health officer inquires with the family doctor about the cause of death to classify it accordingly. Sex, age and month of death are known, the cause of death is known in most cases.
3.7. Reference area
Liechtenstein.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Time series are available from 1999. Due to the fact that 2011 data is the first data collection with a legal basis (and few changes in the requested variables and breakdowns), the data between 1999-2010 and starting from 2011 are not always comparable. This is in part due to the different groupings of causes of death.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of deceased persons.
2024.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
CoD data was submitted to Eurostat on the basis of a gentleman's agreement established in the framework Eurostat's Working Group on "Public Health Statistics" until data with reference year 2010.
CoD data according to this regulation is submitted to Eurostat since reference year 2011.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
CoD data produced jointly by the Office of Statistics and the Office of Public Health.
According to the Law on Statistics (Statistics Act), the Office of Statistics may transmit personal data to other foreign statistical offices and research institutes for exclusively statistical purposes.
The Law on Statistics (Statistics Act) requires the protection of personal data collected for statistical purposes through appropriate technical and organisational measures.
Statistical results that have been published or made available may not enable any conclusions to be drawn regarding the circumstances of an individual, identifiable person, unless this information is publicly accessible.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
All age groups showing a total mortality of less than 4 cases are considered as confidential. Therefore, any 'confidential' age group is grouped with another one to have higher numbers. The age groups considered as confidential show then the value '*'.
8.1. Release calendar
The release calender of the Office of Statistics is updated continuously. Publication dates are made available at least three months in advance.
8.2. Release calendar access
The release calender is available on the data portal of the Office of Statistics. CoD statistics are published as "Todesursachen".
8.3. Release policy - user access
Data are released on the date according to the release calendar at 09:00. The website as well as a newsletter for subscribers informs users about the release of new data.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
CoD data are published annually. A newsletter gives some information about the new publication, a link to download the publication and a link to the topic on the homepage of the Office of Statistics.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
CoD data are published on the statistics portal of the Office of Statitstics. Data can be downloaded in excel format at this website.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
CoD data are available on the online database of the Office of Statistics. Data can be found in the Health subject area.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
No CoD microdata are available.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not available.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Documentation on the methodology is included in the tab "Methodik und Qualität" on the website.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not available.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The production of CoD statistics follows the European Code of Practice as well as the general quality guidelines of the Office of Statistics: Please find the information at this website.
Documentation on the quality management specific to CoD is included in the tab "Methodik und Qualität" on the website (in German): Please find the information at this website.
11.1. Quality assurance
CoD statistics are based on the deceased persons according to the birth and death statistics. Data on deaths are based on the central population register. The production of birth and death statistics takes place as part of the production of population statistics.
All CoD are classified by a single public health officer.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
No CoD specific quality assessment was conducted.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users are Research Institutes, Universities, and Public Government agencies.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No CoD specific user satisfaction survey was conducted. The most recent general user satisfaction survey was conducted in 2023. Results are published (in German) on the website of the Office of Statistics.
12.3. Completeness
Data are transmitted to Eurostat according to Commission Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 of 5 April 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on causes of death.
Liechtenstein is exempted from collecting data on stillbirths because data on stillbirths from neighbouring countries are not available to national authorities.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
1. For mandatory variables:
All mandatory data for Neonatal deaths and other deaths according to Regulation No 328/2011 are transmitted to Eurostat.
Liechtenstein is exempted from collecting data on stillbirths because data on stillbirths from neighbouring countries are not available to national authorities.
2. For voluntary variables:
Age of the mother by age group is transmitted to Eurostat. Region of occurrence (NUTS 2) of residents dying abroad, region of residence (NUTS 2) for non-residents who died in the reporting country and parity are not transmitted to Eurostat.
3. For additional variables:
External CoD
External CoD are transmitted to Eurostat.
Place of occurrence for external CoD
Place of occurence for external CoD are not transmitted to Eurostat.
Activity for external CoD
Activity for external CoD are not transmitted to Eurostat.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
All personal information about the deceased person with the exception of the cause of death is directly taken from the central population register which ensures high data quality. Information on the cause of death depends directly on the amount of information available to the public health officer. Differences in assessing the cause of death are not possible, since only one public health officer is responsible for the classification.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Information relating to this concept is provided by reporting on its sub-concepts.
13.3.1. Coverage error
The number of deceased persons is derived from the central population register. Over- or under-coverage are not possible.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
The number of deceased persons is derived from the central population register. There are no specific issues in over- or under-coverage.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.3.2. Measurement error
All personal information about the deceased person with the exeption of the cause of death is directly taken from the central population register which ensures a high data quality. Information on the cause of death depends directly on the amout of information available to the public health officer.
13.3.3. Non response error
The number of deceased persons is derived from the central population register.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
The number of deceased persons is derived from the central population register.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
When information about the cause of death is missing, the public health officer responsible for coding inquires directly with the physician.
13.3.4. Processing error
No processing errors are known.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
See table 14.1 “Timeliness” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
From data collection with reference year 2011 onwards, Eurostat asks for the submission of final data at national and regional level and related metadata for the year N at N+24 months, according to the Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 328/2011, Article 4.
The data were transmitted on 18 December 2025.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
See table 14.2.1 “Punctuality - delivery and publication” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The collection of the data takes place at the Office of Statistics. The classfication of all causes of death is carried out by a single public health officer.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Data between 1999 and 2010 as well as starting from 2011 are not always comparable. This is in part due to the different groupings of causes of death, which are the result of the first data collection with a legal basis in 2011.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
CoD data since 2011 are comparable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
CoD statistics are based on the deceased persons according to the birth and death statistics. Data on deaths are based on the central population register. The production of birth and death statistics takes place as part of the production of population statistics. CoD data are thus fully coherent with birth and death statistics and population statistics.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable, only annual data are available.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
There are no inconsistencies between the neonates information provided in the General mortality dataset and in the stillbirths and neonates dataset.
There is no systematic recording of costs associated with the production of CoD statistics. The cost of the data collection is being reduced by improving the existing IT-solution for CoD statistics.
CoD data are based on the central population register. There is thus no burden on respondents.
17.1. Data revision - policy
No CoD data revisions have been carried out.
17.2. Data revision - practice
No CoD data revisions have been carried out.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Central population register and register of deceased persons.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
The collection of the data takes place at the Office of Statistics. The classification of all causes of death is carried out by a single public health officer.
18.3.1. Certification
See table 18.3.1 “Certification” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
18.3.2. Automated Coding
See table 18.3.2 “Automated Coding” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
18.3.3. Underlying cause of death
See table 18.3.3 “Underlying cause of death” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
18.3.4. Availability of multiple cause
See table 18.3.4 “Availability of multiple cause” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
18.3.5. Stillbirths and Neonatal certificates
Stillbirths: Not applicable. Liechtenstein is exempted from collecting data on stillbirths because data on stillbirths from neighbouring countries are not available to national authorities.
Neonates: There is no difference with the regular death certificate.
18.4. Data validation
The deceased persons in the reporting year according to the central population register are compared with the register of the deceased persons where the causes of death are registered.
18.4.1. Coding
Description of coding procedure (central level, distributed among other bodies, etc.):
The coding procedure is centralised in the Office of Public Health. The responsible public health officer uses the information provided on the death certificate to determine the cause of death. When this information is missing, she inquires directly with the physician. In cases where an autopsy was performed, the officer also obtains further information on the cause of death from the forensic physician.
Description of the procedures to detect errors (i.e.errors such as potential inconsistency in the death certificate or error due to mistake when filling the deaths certificates):
The public health officers checks the completeness of the of death certificate.
Description of the measures taken in order to solve detected errors:
The public health officer contacts the phyisician to complete missing information.
Coding performed by a certifier:
No.
Estimation of the percentage of autopsy from which information is available for coding:
100%.
Description of double coding exercises and rate of codification errors for underlying cause of death:
No double coding exercises were carried out.
18.4.2. Unspecified CoD code
See table 18.4.2 “Unspecified CoD code” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
18.4.3. Unknown country or region
See table 18.4.3 “Unknown country or region” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
18.4.4. Validation of the coverage
CoD statistics are based on the deceased persons according to the birth and death statistics. Data on deaths are based on the central population register. The production of birth and death statistics takes place as part of the production of population statistics. CoD data are thus fully coherent with birth and death statistics and population statistics.
Data on causes of death (CoD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
CoD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
Data on causes of death (CoD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
CoD data refer to the underlying cause which - according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) - is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The medical certification of death is an obligation in all Member States. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is coded into ICD codes according to the rules specified in the ICD. Data are broken down by sex, 5-year age groups, cause of death and by residency and country of occurrence.
28 August 2026
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
Information relating to this concept is provided by reporting on its sub-concepts.
Liechtenstein.
2024.
All personal information about the deceased person with the exception of the cause of death is directly taken from the central population register which ensures high data quality. Information on the cause of death depends directly on the amount of information available to the public health officer. Differences in assessing the cause of death are not possible, since only one public health officer is responsible for the classification.
Number of deceased persons.
Not applicable.
Central population register and register of deceased persons.
Annual.
See table 14.1 “Timeliness” in annex “COD_CODNSI_A_2024_Annex”.
The collection of the data takes place at the Office of Statistics. The classfication of all causes of death is carried out by a single public health officer.
Data between 1999 and 2010 as well as starting from 2011 are not always comparable. This is in part due to the different groupings of causes of death, which are the result of the first data collection with a legal basis in 2011.
