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.
Statistics on healthcare non-expenditure provide information on healthcare human resources, healthcare facilities, and healthcare utilisation.
The people active in the healthcare sector (doctors, dentists, nurses, etc.) and their status (graduates, practising, migration of doctors and nurses, etc.).
The available healthcare technical resources and facilities (hospital beds, beds in residential care facilities, medical technology, etc.).
The health activities or patient contacts undertaken (hospital discharges, surgical procedures, ambulatory care data, etc.).
Annual national and regional data are provided in absolute numbers or as a rate of a relevant population.
Data are based mainly on administrative records (see section 18.1 ‘Source data’ for more information).
3.2. Classification system
For the collection of data on healthcare non- expenditure, the classifications used in the System of Health Accounts (SHA) and its related set of International Classification for the Health Accounts are applied.
For Health Employment, the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications apply.
Definitions of mandatory variables are laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2294.
Where possible, the statistics are separated by sex (male/female), age group and NUTS2 region.
National deviations: see Annex at the bottom of the page.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Public health.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The healthcare non-expenditure statistics describe the public health sector from a non-monetary perspective. The statistics explain the number or rate of different healthcare resources, facilities and utilisation. A wide range of indicators are collected from a multitude of sources and therefore, details pertaining to individual variables are given in the Annex.
Definitions of mandatory variables are laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2294.
National level: Medical Director of Health and Public Health Act, No. 41/2007,, Agreement between Statistics Iceland (STATICE) and the Directorate of Health (DoHI) granting the DoHI status of Other National Authority.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Joint Questionnaire on Non-Monetay Health Care Statistics, which is carried by Eurostat, OECD and WHO-Europe.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
No national policy.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
No confidential data are transmitted to Eurostat.
Only aggregate statistics are published and available online.
8.1. Release calendar
All statistics are updated at least yearly, if available. However, there is no official release calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
All published statistics are updated at least yearly, if available. However, there is no official release calendar.
Annual dissemination.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
All statistics are updated at least yearly, if available. However, there are no national news releases.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Publication of national non-expenditure health statistics by the Directorate of Health in Iceland is primarily online, in tables and interactive dashboards.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Publication of national non-expenditure health statistics by the Directorate of Health in Iceland is primarily online, in tables and interactive dashboards.
National directives on minimum registration in health care services specify the international classification systems which are to be used for the registration of the variables that fall under the minimum datasets which are transmitted to the administrative health registers at the Directorate of Health. Data from these health registers are the source for statistics published and disseminated to international organizations by the Directorate of Health.
Descriptions are provided with online publications.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
No national quality documents exist.
“The Single Integrated Metadata Structure (SIMS), which is the standard for quality reporting, is published in the Eurostat Database for every variable pertaining to the Joint, non-Monetary Health Care questionnaire, as from reference year 2021.”
11.1. Quality assurance
National directives on minimum registration in health care services specify the international classification systems which are to be used for the registration of the variables that fall under the minimum datasets which are transmitted to the national administrative health registers at the Directorate of Health.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Quality checks vary between data sources.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Main users of national healthcare non-expenditure statistics are the Ministry of Health, researchers, public administrative institutes and health care providers.
Compilation of non-expenditure health data into the national health registers maintained by the Directorate of Health in Iceland, as well as the dissemination of statistics derived from these data are based on specifications set out in the Medical Director of Health and Public Health Act No. 41/2007 as well as in Regulation 548/2008 on Health Registers.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Use of international classifications systems and adhererance to definitions contribute to accuracy. The overall accuracy of health hcare non-expenditure data depends on the quality of the registration by health care services providers.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Data collected in real-time: hospital activities (discharges, ALOS, procedures, diagnoses), screening, immunisations, number of licensed health care professionals, annual inflow of foreign-trained doctors and nurses.
Other collected data received with more and varied delay.
14.2. Punctuality
Data delivered following regulatory obligations.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
National coverage.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Whenever possible, data are presented in time series. Main sources of data have been unchanged. Breaks in series and deviations from definitions are indicated.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
No cross-domain coherence issues.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Data are consistent. Any exceptions are indicated.
Most healthcare non-expenditure statistics can be extracted from national administrative databases at the Directorate of Health. Cost has not been estimated.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data are revised each year and transmitted along with new data. Any revisions of already published data are indicated.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data are revised each year and transmitted along with new data. Any revisions of already published data are indicated.
18.1. Source data
Source data for the different variables are given in the Annex at the bottom of the page.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data on health care services are collected continuously. Data on workforce and physical resources are collected annually.
18.3. Data collection
Electronic health data from health care providers and pharmacies are collected contiuously into health registers at the Directorate of Health.
Data on licensed health professionals are obtained from a data base at the Directorate of Health as well as from professional organizations.
18.4. Data validation
Comparison to previously submitted statistics. Validation checks embedded into the excel questionnaires and validation checks done in EDAMIS.
18.5. Data compilation
Data compiled by the Directorate of Health are, to a large extent, derived from national, administrative data bases. Exceptions: practicing health professions.
Statistics on healthcare non-expenditure provide information on healthcare human resources, healthcare facilities, and healthcare utilisation.
The people active in the healthcare sector (doctors, dentists, nurses, etc.) and their status (graduates, practising, migration of doctors and nurses, etc.).
The available healthcare technical resources and facilities (hospital beds, beds in residential care facilities, medical technology, etc.).
The health activities or patient contacts undertaken (hospital discharges, surgical procedures, ambulatory care data, etc.).
Annual national and regional data are provided in absolute numbers or as a rate of a relevant population.
Data are based mainly on administrative records (see section 18.1 ‘Source data’ for more information).
2 July 2026
The healthcare non-expenditure statistics describe the public health sector from a non-monetary perspective. The statistics explain the number or rate of different healthcare resources, facilities and utilisation. A wide range of indicators are collected from a multitude of sources and therefore, details pertaining to individual variables are given in the Annex.
Definitions of mandatory variables are laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2294.
National changes of statistical concepts and national definitions deviating from Regulation (EU) 2022/2294: see Annex at the bottom of the page.
Registered health professionals or health care facility categories.
(1) all licensed health care staff.
(2) all available beds or equipment in public hospitals or in nursing care facilities.
(3) all discharges or procedures performed in public hospitals.
Complete national territory.
Calendar year.
Use of international classifications systems and adhererance to definitions contribute to accuracy. The overall accuracy of health hcare non-expenditure data depends on the quality of the registration by health care services providers.
Annual national data are provided in absolute numbers, days or as a rate of a relevant population.
See annex "Sources & Methods".
Data compiled by the Directorate of Health are, to a large extent, derived from national, administrative data bases. Exceptions: practicing health professions.
Source data for the different variables are given in the Annex at the bottom of the page.
Annual dissemination.
Data collected in real-time: hospital activities (discharges, ALOS, procedures, diagnoses), screening, immunisations, number of licensed health care professionals, annual inflow of foreign-trained doctors and nurses.
Other collected data received with more and varied delay.
National coverage.
Whenever possible, data are presented in time series. Main sources of data have been unchanged. Breaks in series and deviations from definitions are indicated.
