1.1. Contact organisation
National institute of Public Health (NIJZ)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Health Data Center
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Trubarjeva 2
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenija
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
24 April 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
24 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
24 April 2025
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".
Causes of death are classified by the 86 causes of the "European shortlist" of causes of death. This shortlist is based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
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).
3.2. Classification system
| Data year | ICD revision used (ICD-8, ICD-9, ICD-10) | For ICD-10: updates used |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ICD-9 | |
| 1991 | ICD-9 | |
| 1992 | ICD-9 | |
| 1993 | ICD-9 | |
| 1994 | ICD-9 | |
| 1995 | ICD-9 | |
| 1996 | ICD-9 | |
| 1997 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 1998 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 1999 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2000 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2001 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2002 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2003 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2004 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2005 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2006 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2007 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2008 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2009 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2010 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2011 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2012 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2013 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2014 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2015 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2016 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2017 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2018 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2019 | ICD-10 | without updates |
| 2020 | ICD-10 | without updates (U07.1 was added for 2020 data) |
| 2021 | ICD-10 | without updates (U07.1 and U07.2 were added for 2021 data) |
| 2022 | ICD-10 | without updates (U07.1 and U07.2 were added for 2022 data) |
| 2023 | ICD-10 | without updates (U07.1 and U07.2 were added for 2023 data) |
3.3. Coverage - sector
Public Health
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
National definition used for usual residency and Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected are described in sections 3.4.1 and 3.4.2.
3.4.1. National definition used for usual residency
- Stat website. (in Slovenian)
- Stat website. (in English)
3.4.2. Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected
a) National definition used for stillbirths
Podatki website (in Slovenian)
The minimum number of weeks for stillbirths is 22 and the minimum weight for stillbirths is 550 grams.
b) Characteristics collected
Gestational age, weight, crown-heel
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the deceased person.
3.6. Statistical population
All registered deaths and stillbirths occurring in Slovenia.
3.6.1. Neonates of non-resident mothers
Neonates of non-resident mothers are not considered as residents.
3.6.2. Non-residents
Non-residents dying in Slovenia are reported to Eurostat but are not included in our national statistics.
3.6.3. Residents dying abroad
Residents dying abroad are included in our national statistics. They are recorded by CoD R990 and are not reported to Eurostat.
3.7. Reference area
Slovenia
3.8. Coverage - Time
CoD for Slovenia are available from 1985 onwards.
Note that 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 before and after 2011 are not always comparable (In part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit is number.
2023
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Countries submitted data 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. The first data submitted according to the Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 is data with reference year 2011.
A Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work (EC) No 1338/2008 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 16 December 2008. This Regulation is the framework of the data collection on the domain.
Within the context of this framework Regulation, a Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on causes of death (EU) No 328/2011 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 5 April 2011.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The data are shared with national (Statistical Office of Republic of Slovenia) and international organizations (Eurostat, WHO, OECD). Data are used also for research purposes.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20 (4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p.164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data. All data collected and published by the National Institute of Public Health are governed by the Healthcare Databases Act (OJ RS No. 65/00 and updates) and additionally also by the National Statistics Act (OJ RS No. 45/95 and (No. 9/01). The National Statistics Act states that Statistics may be published in aggregate form only and are equally accessible to users, defined in paragraph 2 of Article 1 hereof. By way of exception, data may also be published individually:
- upon written consent of the reporting unit as regards publication of the data in such a way;
- if data have been collected from public (generally accessible) data collections (records, registers, databases, etc.);
- if data are published in such a way that the reporting unit involved cannot be identified.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
All categories showing an absolute number less than 5 cases are considered as confidential.
8.1. Release calendar
Final national data for the previous year is published in September next year (t + 9 months).
Dates of publication are announced in the release calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
The release calendar is prepared in advance for the next calendar year and published at NIJZ webpage Podatki website - Koledar objav za leto (for 2025).
8.3. Release policy - user access
The most important information channel for data publication is the National institute of public health (NIJZ) data portal Podatki website. New data are released on the announced dates published in release calendar of NIJZ. New data releases and all the changes are published in release calendar of NIJZ and also in interactive release calendar of national statistical institut and other national authorities responsible for development, production and dissemination of national statistics, which can be found on the website of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia ReleaseCalendar.
None of the users have a prior access to the data. The simultaneous issue of the First Release is ensured. Same release policy applied to national release is applied to transmissions to Eurostat. All our data are available free of charge. Our copyright policy only requires that the NIJZ is stated as the source of data.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
News releases on-line.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Regular or ad-hoc on-line publications.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Data are available on-line Podatki website (in Slovene only)
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Microdata are available only for research purposes.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Documents for CoD are available at Eurostat webpage.
Methodological explanations on CoD are available also in Slovene at NIJZ Podatki website and within NIJZ data portal (General methodological explanations and additional explanations about covid-19). All explanations are in Slovene only.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Some metadata concepts have not been provided.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Short quality reports are available for internal users.
11.1. Quality assurance
The causes of death data are based on a regulation, which defines scope, definitions of variables and characteristics of the data.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Data on CoD are compiled in compliance with methodological requirements and standards.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of CoD data can be presented in different groups, namely:
A. EXTERNAL/INTERNATIONAL, like:
- Institutions at European level:
- Eurostat
- Multi-national organizations:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
B. EXTERNAL/NATIONAL, like:
- Institutions at national level – governmental:
- Ministry of Health
- Statistical Office of Republic of Slovenia
- Institutions at national level – non-governmental:
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Cancer Registry
- Media
- Researchers and students
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction is measured with different user satisfaction surveys, performed on regular basis. User satisfaction surveys plan is prepared for each calendar year and results of surveys are published on NIJZ restricted area for employees. One of the user satisfaction surveys is also about satisfaction with NIJZ webpage, including NIJZ data portal.
12.3. Completeness
All statistics required by the current EU legislation are available.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
1. For mandatory variables: 100 %
2. For voluntary variables: 100 %
3. For additional variables:
- External CoD: 100 %
- Place of occurrence for external CoD: 0 % (the data is not available)
- Activity for external CoD: 0 % (the data is not available)
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The definitions are consistent with EU regulation. The controls carried out ensure that data are consistent within a time series as well as on all territorial units.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Full coverage
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
There is no over-coverage.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.3.2. Measurement error
No measurement error was detected.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not aplicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
No processing error was detected.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Final national data for the previous year is published in September next year (T + 9 months).
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
According to legislation.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
| Reference year | Time between the end of the reference year and the delivery of final data to Eurostat |
|---|---|
| 2011 | N+24 |
| 2012 | N+24 |
| 2013 | N+24 |
| 2014 | N+24 |
| 2015 | N+24 |
| 2016 | N+24 |
| 2017 | N+22 |
| 2018 | N+22 |
| 2019 | N+19 |
| 2020 | N+18 |
| 2021 | N+18 |
| 2022 | N+18 |
| 2023 | N+16 |
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Statistics are completely comparable between geographical areas.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Note that 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 1994-2010 and starting from 2011 are not always comparable (in part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
CoD for Slovenia are available from 1985 onwards.
Note that 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 before and after 2011 are not always comparable (in part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
CoD data are regularly checked with mortality data available from demography. The same concept of usually resident population is used in the whole national statistical system and number of resident deaths in national CoD data matches mortality data available from demography. To Eurostat all registered deaths and stillbirths occurring in Slovenia are reported, distinguishing residents and non-residents.
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
Total.
The cost and burden of the data collection is reduced by using validation and dissemination IT tools.
The cost and burden of the data collection is from national budget.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
There is no systematic revision of previous year data.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Death certificates
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Yearly
18.3. Data collection
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The way of collection is a standardised process which has not changed a lot over the years. CoD database includes verified demographic data of the deceased – place of residence, marital status, place of death and data on all circumstances and causes of death, both physiological and external. The CoD database is additionally supplemented using secondary sources (Central Population Registry; Statistical Office of RS – population censuses, statistical registry of employment; Cancer Registry; Tuberculosis Registry, Injuries at work, etc.). These secondary sources mainly serve as sources for socio-economic data (education, profession, working status – active/inactive, retired, etc.).
18.3.1. Certification
Table on certification (Percentage)
| Year |
All doctors (certifiers) trained in the certification | All doctors (certifiers - pathologists or others doctors) trained in the post-mortem examination (autopsies) | Certificates filled by persons who attended a course on certification or post-mortem examination | Death certificates that are queried (only queries related to medical part of the death certificate should be included) | Replies received for queries sent | Deaths where the underlying cause is changed as a result of the query | Death certificates with incorrect sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 20 % | 95 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2012 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 18 % | 95 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2013 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 19 % | 95 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2014 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 17 % | 95 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2015 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 15 % | 96 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2016 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 10 % | 97 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2017 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 9 % | 92 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2018 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 10 % | 99 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2019 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 10 % | 99 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2020 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 10 % | 99 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2021 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 10 % | 99 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2022 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 10 % | 97 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2023 | 100 % | 100 % | 0 % | 10 % | 98 % | Not applicable | Not applicable |
18.3.2. Automated Coding
| Data year | Use of any form of automated coding | System used (IRIS, MICAR, ACME, STYX, MIKADO, others) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | No. | |
| 2012 | No. | |
| 2013 | No. | |
| 2014 | No. | |
| 2015 | No. | |
| 2016 | No. | |
| 2017 | No. | |
| 2018 | No. | |
| 2019 | No. | |
| 2020 | No. | |
| 2021 | No. | |
| 2022 | No. | |
| 2023 | No. |
18.3.3. Underlying cause of death
| Data year | Only manual selection of underlying cause | Manual with ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) | ACS utilising ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) | Own system (ACS without ACME) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Yes. | ||||
| 2012 | Yes. | ||||
| 2013 | Yes. | ||||
| 2014 | Yes. | ||||
| 2015 | Yes. | ||||
| 2016 | Yes. | ||||
| 2017 | Yes. | ||||
| 2018 | Yes. | ||||
| 2019 | Yes. | ||||
| 2020 | Yes. | ||||
| 2021 | Yes. | ||||
| 2022 | Yes. | ||||
| 2023 | Yes. |
18.3.4. Availability of multiple cause
| Data year | Information stored in the national CoD database, UC (Underlying cause) or MC (Multiple cause) |
|---|---|
| 2011 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2012 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2013 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2014 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2015 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2016 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2017 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2018 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2019 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2020 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2021 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2022 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
| 2023 | UC (In case of external cause of death we also have code from XIX (or others) chapter) |
18.3.5. Stillbirths and Neonatal certificates
There is no difference between certificate for stillbirths and neonates and regular death certificate.
18.4. Data validation
Controls are carried out on the basis of reference date population, all data are controlled on individual level by using PINs and PINs of spouse/mother. Additional controls ensure that data are consistent within a time series as well as on all territorial units.
18.4.1. Coding
Description of coding procedure (central level, distributed among other bodies, etc.):
Central level
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):
Comparing age, ICD code (text), place of death, activity, day/hour to detect possible inconsistencies.
Description of the measures taken in order to solve detected errors:
Contacts with certifiers, insight in hospital database (deaths in hospitals), contact with personal physicians, autopsy reports.
Coding performed by a certifier:
100 %.
Estimation of the percentage of autopsy from which information is available for coding:
10 % to 15 %.
Description of double coding exercises and rate of codification errors for underlying cause of death:
Double coding is not implemented.
18.4.2. Unspecified CoD code
ICD codes for the underlying cause (% of the Total)
| Year | Unspecified CoD (for ICD10: R00-R99 codes, for ICD9: 780-790 codes) | Unknown CoD (for ICD10: R98-R99 codes, for ICD9: 799.9, 798.9, 798.2 codes) | Deaths due to senility (for ICD10: R54 code, for ICD9: 797 code) | Deaths due to exposure to unspecified factor (for ICD10: X59 code, ICD9: 928.9 code) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,45 % | 1,23 % | 0,01 % | 0,01 % |
| 2012 | 0,07 % | 0,03 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2013 | 0,04 % | 0,01 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2014 | 0,03 % | 0,01 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2015 | 0,03 % | 0,01% | 0,00 % | 0,01 % |
| 2016 | 0,04 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2017 | 0,04 % | 0,04 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2018 | 0,04 % | 0,03 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2019 | 0,04 % | 0,03 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2020 | 0,04 % | 0,03 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2021 | 0,03 % | 0,01 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2022 | 0,05 % | 0,05 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
| 2023 | 0,05 % | 0,04 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % |
18.4.3. Unknown country or region
Unknown country/region (%) for residents and non-residents who died in the country
| Year | Residents | Non-residents | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown residency (NUTS2) | Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) | Unknown residency (country) | Unknown residency (NUTS2) | Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) | |
| 2011 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,05 % | 0,00 % |
| 2012 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,86 % | 0,00 % |
| 2013 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,21 % | 0,00 % |
| 2014 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,07 % | 0,00 % |
| 2015 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,18 % | 0,00 % |
| 2016 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,05 % | 0,00 % |
| 2017 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,03 % | 0,00 % |
| 2018 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,10 % | 0,00 % |
| 2019 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,10 % | 0,00 % |
| 2020 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,10 % | 0,00 % |
| 2021 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,20 % | 0,00 % |
| 2022 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,30 % | 0,00 % |
| 2023 | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,00 % | 0,85 % | 0,00 % |
18.4.4. Validation of the coverage
- Central Population Register - Ministry of the interior;
- Statistical office of the Republic of Slovenia
18.5. Data compilation
Not applicable.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
No special adjustment needed.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
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".
Causes of death are classified by the 86 causes of the "European shortlist" of causes of death. This shortlist is based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
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).
24 April 2025
National definition used for usual residency and Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected are described in sections 3.4.1 and 3.4.2.
The statistical unit is the deceased person.
All registered deaths and stillbirths occurring in Slovenia.
Slovenia
2023
The definitions are consistent with EU regulation. The controls carried out ensure that data are consistent within a time series as well as on all territorial units.
The unit is number.
Not applicable.
Death certificates
Annual.
Final national data for the previous year is published in September next year (T + 9 months).
Statistics are completely comparable between geographical areas.
Note that 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 1994-2010 and starting from 2011 are not always comparable (in part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
