Official Statistics Research Articles

Elementary school closures in Sweden over two decades: Geographical characteristics and the role of distance

School closures have for long often been seen as a ‘rural issue’ and/or as a rural-urban dichotomy. We posit that such crude representations should be nuanced by help of intra- and inter-municipality analysis as there are differences and diversity between and within rural municipality classes. Based on this, we use official Swedish statistics to perform a spatially disaggregated analysis of the geographical characteristics of Swedish municipalities with different experiences of elementary school closures between 1997 and 2017. The results show that rural municipality classes lost considerably more elementary schools, 24,5 % compared to only 0,3 % in urban municipality classes, but also show large differences between and within rural municipality classes and municipalities, both in terms of lost elementary schools, localities who has lost elementary schools, concentration of elementary schools to municipal population centers, and decreases in mean and median distances from elementary schools to municipal population centers. In some cases rural municipality classes fared better, performed at par, or only slightly worse to their urban counterparts. In conclusion, there is a need for a more disaggregated spatial analysis to understand what is happening in different geographical contexts, since the categories of ’urban’ and ’rural’ hide more detailed but still important spatial differences.

VIKSHIT BHARAT @ 2047: PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

India’s economic growth is projected to reach 8.2%in 2023-24(National Statistical Office).It is to be ranked fifth globally in terms of GDP and third in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2024. The IMF estimates that India’s GDP will grow by 7% in 2024. As India approaches 2047, celebrating 100 years of independence, the vision of “Vikshit Bharat @2047” (Developed India) is emerging, aiming to move to a High-income status and surpass $30 trillion GDP. This study explores the role of sustainable agricultural development in achieving the vision of “Vikshi Baharat”, focusing on incorporating advanced technologies into farming practices. The study explores the potential of innovations such as Precision Farming, Biotechnology, Machine Learning and Digital Agricultural, along with Sustainable Farming Practices, Water Resource Management, Soli Health Practices and Supporting Policy. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of Agricultural Finance and Public-Private Partnership in economic development.

Assisted suicide in Switzerland, a model in the international discussion about medical aid in dying: framework conditions andlong-term development of a new societal and medical-ethical phenomenon

In the observation period between 1999 and 2022, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office recorded 14 170 assisted suicide (AS) cases. During this 24-year period, the annual number of cases increased significantly: While only 63 cases were observed in 1999, the number of cases in 2022 amounted to almost 1600, corresponding to 2.1 % of all deaths in Switzerland. The most common underlying disease group for AS was cancer, accounting for 40 % of cases. AS is mainly chosen by women (unchanged over time at 58 % of cases) and is primarily a geriatric phenomenon: In 2022, the median age of those who opted for assisted dying was 81 years; the median age of those who chose AS due to cancer was 77 years, while the median age of those who died with non-cancer-related AS was 84 years.

Prevalence estimates for COVID-19-related health behaviors based on the cheating detection triangular model

BackgroundSurvey studies in medical and health sciences predominantly apply a conventional direct questioning (DQ) format to gather private and highly personal information. If the topic under investigation is sensitive or even stigmatizing, such as COVID-19-related health behaviors and adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions in general, DQ surveys can lead to nonresponse and untruthful answers due to the influence of social desirability bias (SDB). These effects seriously threaten the validity of the results obtained, potentially leading to distorted prevalence estimates for behaviors for which the prevalence in the population is unknown. While this issue cannot be completely avoided, indirect questioning techniques (IQTs) offer a means to mitigate the harmful influence of SDB by guaranteeing the confidentiality of individual responses. The present study aims at assessing the validity of a recently proposed IQT, the Cheating Detection Triangular Model (CDTRM), in estimating the prevalence of COVID-19-related health behaviors while accounting for cheaters who disregard the instructions.MethodsIn an online survey of 1,714 participants in Taiwan, we obtained CDTRM prevalence estimates via an Expectation-Maximization algorithm for three COVID-19-related health behaviors with different levels of sensitivity. The CDTRM estimates were compared to DQ estimates and to available official statistics provided by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. Additionally, the CDTRM allowed us to estimate the share of cheaters who disregarded the instructions and adjust the prevalence estimates for the COVID-19-related health behaviors accordingly.ResultsFor a behavior with low sensitivity, CDTRM and DQ estimates were expectedly comparable and in line with official statistics. However, for behaviors with medium and high sensitivity, CDTRM estimates were higher and thus presumably more valid than DQ estimates. Analogously, the estimated cheating rate increased with higher sensitivity of the behavior under study.ConclusionsOur findings strongly support the assumption that the CDTRM successfully controlled for the validity-threatening influence of SDB in a survey on three COVID-19-related health behaviors. Consequently, the CDTRM appears to be a promising technique to increase estimation validity compared to conventional DQ for health-related behaviors, and sensitive attributes in general, for which a strong influence of SDB is to be expected.

Factors affecting antibiotics consumption among the elderly population in Thailand

Background: The consumption of antibiotic among the elderly population has raised concerns in Thailand due to its correlation with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) infections. Moreover, it is also related to adverse drug reactions resulting from impaired drug excretion and elimination. Contributing factors to antibiotic consumption in the elderly population are insufficiently understood in Thailand. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of antibiotic consumption behaviour among the elderly population and to identify associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using survey data from the National Statistic Office, which included only elderly individuals. Bivariate analysis with a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was performed to screen for significant independent variables with a significance level below 0.05. All significant variables were included in the multivariable analysis, which revealed adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Of 9,104 elderly people, the prevalence of antibiotic consumption was found to be 7.77% (95% CI: 7.21% - 8.31%). The multivariable GLMM analysis demonstrated that being free from underlying diseases (AOR= 2.16, 95% CI: 1.63-2.88, p-value < 0.001), having transportation expenses (AOR = 2.11, 95% CI:1.49-2.99, p-value < 0.001), experiencing pain and discomfort symptoms (AOR =1.66, 95%CI: 1.27-2.16, p-value < 0.001), having anxiety and depression (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.27-2.16, p-value = 0.012), having moderate to poor level of knowledge (AOR = 2.42 95% CI: 1.55-3.78 and (AOR=2.71, 95% CI:1.75-4.21), and not receiving information regarding antibiotic use and its resistance (AOR = 5.12, 95%CI: 4.12-6.36, p-value < 0.001) were the major contributing factors to antibiotic consumption behaviours in the elderly population. Conclusion: The prevalence of antibiotic consumption in the elderly population may contribute to emergence of AMR infections and increased mortality rates. Implementing clinical practice guidelines and health education programs is essential to control antibiotic prescriptions and discourage self-medication in Thailand.

Bridging the Digital Disability Divide: Determinants of Internet Use among Visually Impaired Individuals in Thailand

This study investigates the sociodemographic and contextual determinants influencing Internet usage among individuals with visual impairments in Thailand, contributing to the literature on the digital disability divide. Data from the “Disability Survey 2022” conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand were used. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were performed on data from 5621 visually impaired respondents. The findings indicate that approximately 26.88% of individuals with visual impairments use the Internet. The logistic regression analysis highlights several critical disparities. Males exhibit lower odds of Internet use compared with females (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.850, p = 0.034). Younger individuals are more likely to use the Internet; a decline in use was observed with increasing age (AOR for 60+ years = 0.052, p < 0.001). Regional disparities are evident. Individuals from the northeastern (AOR = 2.044, p < 0.001), central (AOR = 1.356, p < 0.008), and southern (AOR = 1.992, p < 0.001) regions showed higher odds of Internet use compared with those from the northern region. Higher income (AOR for 5000–9999 THB = 1.798, p = 0.001), educational attainment (AOR for bachelor’s degree = 14.915, p < 0.001), and wealth index (AOR for wealthy = 5.034, p < 0.001) increase the likelihood of Internet use. Employed individuals are more likely to use the Internet (AOR = 3.159, p < 0.001) compared with unemployed individuals. Additionally, the severity of the visual impairment is crucial, with those having low vision in both eyes more likely to engage online than those who are completely blind in both eyes (AOR = 5.935, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for comprehensive digital inclusion initiatives that address various factors, including age-inclusive digital literacy programs, targeted regional infrastructure development, economic support to improve digital access, and advancements in assistive technologies. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers in Thailand and other developing countries, enhancing the understanding of the digital disability divide and informing strategies to foster greater digital equity.

Twenty-four hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion in adult population of Slovenia: results of the Manjsoli.si/2022 study.

The objective of study was to assess 24-h urinary Na and K excretion and estimate the average salt and K intakes in a nationally representative sample of the adult population of Slovenia. A nationally representative cross-sectional study was conducted in four stages between September and November 2022: study questionnaire, physical measurements, 24-h urine collection and laboratory analysis. Slovenia. We invited 2000 adult, non-institutionalised inhabitants of Slovenia, aged between 25 and 64 years. A stratified two-staged sample was selected from this population by the Statistical Office of Slovenia, using sampling from the Central Population Register. According to the WHO methodology, additional eligibility criteria were screened before participating. A total of 518 individuals participated in all four stages of the study, resulting in a response rate of 30 %. The mean 24-h urinary Na excretion was 168 mmol/d (95 % CI 156, 180), which corresponds to a mean estimated intake of 10·3 g salt/d (95 % CI 9·6, 11·1). Mean 24-h urinary K excretion was 65·4 mmol/d (95 % CI 63·2, 67·5), and the estimated mean K intake was 2·93 g/d (95 % CI 2·84, 3·03). There were statistically significant differences in mean intakes between males and females. The mean sodium-to-potassium ratio was 2·7 (95 % CI 2·5, 2·8). The study results highlighted that the salt intake in the adult population of Slovenia remains much higher than recommended by the WHO, and K intakes are insufficient, as most participants did not meet the recommendations.

Factors influencing hospital readmission rates in alcohol use disorder

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) (F10) is the second most common main diagnosis for hospital treatment. Those affected by this disorder are often repeatedly hospitalized at short intervals due to relapses; however, little is known about the factors that influence readmission rates after initial treatment. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to analyze the effects of treatment type (qualified withdrawal treatment(QE) versus physical detoxification) and discharge mode on the probability of readmission in alcohol-dependent patients after inpatient treatment. Data from 981 male and female alcohol-dependent patients who completed either qualified withdrawal treatment (QE) (68% men; mean age47.6 years) or inpatient detoxification (74% men; mean age48.0 years) were analyzed. Predictors of regular discharge were determined separately for both types of treatment using stepwise logistic regression. Patients who had completed aqualified withdrawal treatment were significantly more likely to be regularly discharged. Regular completion of the qualified withdrawal treatment (QE) led to arelative reduction in the readmission rate of 25.64% within 1 year compared to aphysical detoxification. In order to prevent readmission and chronic courses of alcohol use disorder (AUD), qualified withdrawal treatment should always be recommended to affected patients instead of physical detoxification. Aktuelle Daten des Statistischen Bundesamtes für das Jahr 2022 zeigen, dass die Diagnose "Psychische und Verhaltensstörungen durch Alkohol (F10.X)" die zweithäufigste Hauptdiagnose bei Krankenhausbehandlungen darstellt [13]. Im Gesundheitssystem entstehen durch dieses Erkrankungsbild und seine somatischen und psychischen Folgeerkrankungen jährlich ca.10 Mrd. € direkte Kosten [13]. Dieser Sachverhalt wird dadurch kontrastiert, dass die Krankenkassen die qualifizierte Entzugsbehandlung (QE) als leitliniengerechte Goldstandardtherapie [4] wiederholt infrage stellen [10].

Femicide in Ireland 2012–2023

IntroductionFemicide represents the dramatic end-point on a spectrum of violence against women and is an increasingly prevalent medico-legal issue. Whilst there is no definition of femicide in the Irish legal system, femicide can be understood as the gender based killing of women or girls.1 The pervasiveness of gender-based violence against women is a growing cause for concern with 2018 estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealing that 1 in 3 women have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).2 Femicide remains poorly defined and underreported worldwide due to enduring stigmatisation, shame and a lack of official statistics addressing national femicide rates. AimThe aim of this study was to explore Irish cases of femicide, quantify the prevalence of femicide in Ireland and identify any emerging trends over a 12-year-period. MethodsAll homicides referred to the Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) from 2012 to 2023 were reviewed and a total of 97 cases of femicide were ?identified and included in this study. ResultsFemicide rates increased from 1 in 5 (19 %) homicides referred to the OSP in 2012–2020 to 3 in 10 from 2021 to 2023 (29 %). Domestic femicides accounted for 74 % of cases, with 41 % of women murdered in the home they shared with their killer. 56 % of women were killed by a current or former intimate partner and 20 % by a family member. Sharp force injuries were present in 75 % of femicides associated with a history of sexual violence. These cases had the highest average number of injuries per case (n = 30) and a significantly lower average age than that of the entire cohort (19 years versus 41 years). ConclusionThe true scale of gender-based violence against women remains largely hidden due to a lack of focused official statistics and a clear definition of femicide. As populations become more diverse, and displacement secondary to environmental, or humanitarian crises becomes more common, it is essential that official data is collected in order to understand and ultimately prevent gender-based violence in this vulnerable cohort.

Marriages and divorces in the Arctic zone of the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic in 2000–2022

BACKGROUND: One of the primary concerns for national security in the Russain Arctic today is the declining population. A decrease in population over the last decade has also been observed in the Arctic zone of the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic. This trend can be attributed to unfavorable medical and demographic factors, such as low birth rates and relatively high mortality rates in the 13 districts that belong to the Arctic zone. We hypothesize that low marriage rates in most of the Arctic districts may also contribute to population decline. AIM: To describe marriage and divorce rates in the Arctic zone of the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic in 2000–2022. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study. Materials from the official government statistics were used. Initially, marriage- and divorce rates were calculated using the percentile method in all districts of the republic. Then the analysis was performed using the data from 13 Arctic districts. Associations between the variables were studied by correlation analysis RESULTS: Both marriage- and divorce rates were relatively low in the Arctic districts as demonstrated by the data in tables and charts and supported by the results of the correlation analysis. CONCLUSION: The Arctic regions of the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic face challenges due to relatively low marriage- and divorce rates, which exacerbate the already unfavorable medical and demographic situation. In order to address these issues and improve the demographic policy in the region, specific recommendations have been developed for the municipal leaders of the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic.

Household Surveys Integration: Household Budget Survey methodology in Czechia

The article aims at mapping the history of the Czech version of the Household Budget Survey (HBS), i.e. Statistika rodinných účtů (SRÚ), and on the historical changes in its methodology. Statistika rodinných účtů is a survey focused mainly on private household expenditure in all the regions of the Czech Republic. The first official SRÚ survey was conducted in 1920 by the Statistical office of the former Czechoslovak Republic. This article offers a brief overview of the more than 100 years of the survey, which have been shaped significantly throughout the different eras it had underwent, both by the socio-political contexts and by the gradual technological progress. Last but not least, methodological changes which occurred in 2017 are discussed, as well as some important aspects of the present-day form of the survey.

The dawn of a sexual assault relief center: A 12-year fact-finding survey of victims of sexual assault conducted since2010 by SACHICO, Japan's first rape crisis center.

In Japan, amidst insufficient legal provisions and governmental support, in 2010, the first rape crisis center, the Sexual Assault Crisis Healing Intervention Center Osaka (SACHICO) was established. We compared SACHICO visitor data from 2010 to 2021 with National Police Agency statistics to clarify the current situation of sexual assault victims in Japan and considered future issues for Japan to address. This study was a cross-sectional study that analyzed the data described below. All visitations to SACHICO between April 2010 and December 2021 were considered targets for data totaling. Data on crime statistics were gathered from the official governmental statistics portal site. A total of 12 036 visitations occurred, of which 3189 were first-time consultations; 3100 initial medical examinations were conducted, and no medical examination was conducted in the remaining 89 cases (2.7%). The number of initial medical examinations increased 3.7 times from 2010 to 2021. Victims under the age of 19 comprised 60% of the total number of initial medical examinations (1863/3100). The reporting rate for all 3100 initial medical examinations was only 31.3% (969/3100) of the cases. The proportion of forcible sexual intercourse versus forcible indecency were the converse of those observed among acknowledged cases nationwide and in Osaka Prefecture. For several years, the number of initial medical consultations at SACHICO has exceeded that of acknowledged cases in Osaka Prefecture. Support for victims of sexual assault in Japan is still insufficient. It is necessary to strengthen the system of rape crisis centers system to realize an unbroken chain of support for victims.

Forensic-radiological diagnosis of gunshot wounds

Although gunshot wounds are less common in Germany than in other countries, aproportion of suicides and violent crimes are committed with firearms, which is why basic knowledge of diagnosis is important. Fundamentals regarding forensic assessment of gunshot wounds are discussed alongside typical radiological findings. In addition to analyzing our own cases and evaluating official statistics, this article is based on adiscussion of basic research and expert recommendations. The article describes the characteristics of the bullet entry and exit as well as special features of the bullet trajectory, particularly in bony injuries, and discusses their significance for radiological findings. Pitfalls in interpretation, such as changes in body position and the deflection of projectile (fragments) in the body, are presented, as are the advantages of supplementary radiological diagnostics (projectile search before initiation of dissection, simple detection of an air embolism, clarity of bullet trajectory reconstruction). This article is intended to provide an overview of not only typical types of weapons and projectiles but also their effects on the body of the victim, which must be documented by the examiner.

Differences in performance analysis between won and lost teams in the top handball matches in the seasons before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study aimed to try to determine whether there are differences in performance analysis in handball matches won and lost, in Pre-COVID-19, COVID-19, and Post-COVID-19 seasons, taking into account the venue of the match. The material was the official statistics of 493 men's handball matches of PGNiG Superliga Ltd. For comparisons between independent variables, the Mann-Whitney U Test and the Kruskal-Wallis Test were used. A Chi-square Test was used to determine the distribution of the number of games won and lost. The analyses conducted indicate higher values in matches won than in matches lost (P=0.00) for the variables: numbers of goals scored, accurate throws, 6 meters goals, fast breaks, fast break goals, and throwing efficiency: all throws, 9 meters, 6 meters, and goalkeeper efficiency. In losing matches teams lost have a higher number of goals defeated (P=0.00) and executed a higher number of missed throws (P=0.00) than in winning matches Effect size of the differences is large. The results show a higher number of matches won in home matches than away in the Pre-COVID-19 season (P=0.0001). During the three seasons, the number of throws and goals from 9 meters decreases, while the number of goals from 6 meters increases. In sports training, measures should be taken to improve and increase the effectiveness of actions that affect winning the match. The results indicate the need to shape defensive actions that prevent goals from being scored in situations that differentiate the match's outcome.

About the necessity of legal regulation of the economy of Georgia

The use of mechanisms and tools of legal regulation of inclusive economy in Georgia should significantly reduce the discord between some undesirable trends of globalisation and social justice, and support sustainable development of the Georgian economy. At the current stage of development, the Government of Georgia has to deal with two hardest challenges in economy. These are the adaptation to economic regulations of the EU and the maintenance of the country’s economic security. The simultaneous solution to the problems is possible only if the intercompatibility of social justice and inclusivity of economy is achieved. The current academic work analyses the existing socio-economic challenges in the country, based on the data generated by the National Statistics Office of Georgia. The research shows that despite a number of some positive steps taken in the direction of inclusiveness, a number of significant problems remain in the field of fair distribution of public resources as well as in the rational management of natural and human resources. Only through legal regulation of inclusive economy it is possible to improve the living environment, promote innovative entrepreneurship, enhance social security and medical services, reduce poverty, create jobs, etc. Keywords: inclusive economy, legal regulation, public good, property, employment and unemployment, social security.

Inclusion-light or innovation of inclusion: modes of innovation and exnovation for the German vocational rehabilitation and participation system.

This paper examines the German system of vocational rehabilitation and participation from a system- and innovation-theoretical perspective. The German system of vocational rehabilitation and participation, with its established special systems for participation in the labor market, is facing a - long overdue - reorientation. The article presents central instruments of the vocational rehabilitation system based on legal foundations, official labor market statistics, and current research findings. The authors compare the legal requirements for an inclusive work environment with the actual employment situation of people with disabilities and highlight a central dilemma of inclusion. Two modes of innovation and exnovation in the vocational rehabilitation system are proposed and critically discussed to resolve the dilemma.

The Social Production of Hate Crime Statistics: The Differential Construction of Islamophobic Hate Crime by the Media and Law Enforcement

The decentralized nature of American policing largely allows agencies to define crime, and the requisite severity of that crime, at the institutional level. As a result, local hate crime statistics are differentially constructed across space. The current research posits that official hate crime statistics most accurately reflect a rate-producing, rather than a behavior-producing, process. Focusing on anti-Muslim hate crime, a particularly understudied form of hate crime, we examine reporting differences across community factors, using the media reports as a comparison point. We analyze official FBI hate crime reports, and news reports collected by Mapping Islamophobia, employing a logistic regression to predict anti-Muslim hate crime reporting. Our findings suggest significant variation in the social construction of anti-Muslim hate crime, both across institutions and across space.

Novel applications of linked administrative data – adding longitudinal capability and additional variables to a nationally representative survey of an indigenous population.

Can linked administrative data be used to transform New Zealand's only sample survey on indigenous wellbeing into a longitudinal study? This project extends the usefulness of an important survey dataset by linkage to admin data, effectively adding longitudinal capability within a linked administrative data source. This created robust statistical processes to transform an official statistics survey into a nationally representative cohort study. NZ's Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) is a research database of administrative and survey datasets containing a range of variables linkable at the individual level. Te Kupenga is a large nationally representative post-censal survey of NZ's indigenous population (Māori) and is the only official survey with Māori culturally-informed variables. However, it is under-utilised in research. The Te Kupenga survey was used as a foundational cohort linking to outcomes and determinants in different datasets at different time periods. Outcomes included hospitalisations and COVID-19 vaccinations, while determinants included individual, household and geographic variables. Linking a representative survey to admin data created issues of loss to follow-up and missing data, so the original sample is not maintained after linkage. Loss to follow-up and missingness differed depending on variable selection and time periods. So, new universally applicable weights were not possible. However, we created a robust, generally applicable process for re-weighting survey data to account for missingness and loss to follow-up in admin data. This project demonstrates the approach for turning a sample survey into a longitudinal cohort using admin data and creates methods that can be used for other official statistics surveys.

Modernizing the U.S. Census Bureau’s Demographic Programs

The U.S. Census Bureau is modernizing its approach to producing demographic data to more effectively and efficiently meet the growing demand for high quality, comprehensive, and timely official statistics. This panel introduces four transformation efforts: the Demographic Frame, National Experimental Wellbeing Statistics (NEWS), and the Census Household Panel.

Evaluation of an Optimal Method for Ordering Hierarchical Matchkeys in Data Linkage at the Office for National Statistics

The quality of linkage techniques has a direct impact on the quality of statistics produced on the linked data, and as such, ensuring linkage algorithms are of the highest quality is a vital mission of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Deterministic hierarchical matchkeys are a linkage technique that applies a list of conditions to classify links, where records can only be linked once. The aim of the hierarchy is to classify correct links by running higher precision matchkeys first, removing linked records from the matching pool, and then running lower quality keys so that they are less likely to make incorrect links. Currently, no optimal method for ordering match-keys exists. Here we present novel research on a generalisable algorithmic approach to finding optimal matchkey orderings. A deterministic loop over a consistent set of matchkeys was used to link ONS’s 2021 Census to the 2021 Census Coverage Survey (CCS). A range of experimental ordering methods were implemented. Gold standard linked data was used for quality determination to produce metrics such as precision and recall for grading and comparing the experimental ordering methods. The required expertise of the user and computational efficiency were considered when comparing and recommending ordering methods. Removing historically subjective matchkey ordering methods and replacing with a deterministic ordering algorithm, can lead to better data linkage outcomes with reductions in linkage error. This can provide greater confidence to users of official statistics that linked data underpinning them are more reliable, trustworthy, and meaningful.