How to use Statistics Norway’s API with readymade datasets
About 250 complete data sets have been created in the API with readymade datasets. The data sets are available in Norwegian and English.
Structure of URLs
The URL structure for the API is http://data.ssb.no/api/
version/ dataset
/ID.type ?lang=
lang
where:
- version is the current version, which is v0
- ID is a four-digit number that identifies the data set
- type is either «json» or «csv»
- lang (Language) is either «no» or «en»
Examples of URLs
- http://data.ssb.no/api/v0/dataset/1120
- http://data.ssb.no/api/v0/dataset/1120.json?lang=no
- http://data.ssb.no/api/v0/dataset/1120.csv?lang=en
To enable access to only parts of a data set, use the API: Create your own dataset.
CSV format
A comma is used as a separator in the English data sets, and a decimal point is used as a decimal separator. The Norwegian interface uses semicolon separated CSV with comma as decimal separator.
JSON-stat format
We recommend the format JSON-stat, version 1.2, which has been specially developed for use in the data sets. JSON-stat uses a hierarchical structure showing the main elements; data set, dimension, value and status. The JSON-stat Format viewer is useful. Libraries for processing JSON-stat i.e. for Python, R and Javascript are available .
Key words describing the data sets
The key words, also known as tags, describe the content of a data set.
In a data set, a tag is used to show the table number in StatBank from which the data set has been retrieved, e.g. StatBank table 08801. A different tag shows the abbreviated name of the statistics, such as bpi (housing price index), which can be viewed at ssb.no/bpi.
The term “time series” is used to describe a data set containing long time series.
The tags “municipality”, “county”, “district” and ”region” are used for data sets containing data at a regional level.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the API or the data sets, please e-mail us at: statistikkbanken@ssb.no .
For questions relating to the actual statistics and variables, please see ”Contact persons” in the right column of the relevant statistics. You can also find definitions of variables under “About the statistics” for the relevant statistics.
The ”Information” tab in the StatBank table offers additional details, and some StatBank tables also have links to classifications etc.