The beginning of official statistics in Serbia is considered to be April 18, 1862, when Prince Mihailo Obrenović signed an act obliging the Economic Department of the Ministry of Finance to conduct statistical affairs for all branches of state administration. The head of the department was PhD Vladimir Jakšić (1824-1899), who in 1850 proposed the establishment of the State Statistical Service.

Following modern international trends and development of new technologies, the activities of official statistics, which began 160 years ago, have continued and are still developing today. Printed books are being replaced by electronic publications and databases, while electronic dissemination has taken over the leading role in presenting the results of official statistics.

Economic Department, Statistical Department, National Statistics Office, Statistical Office, Statistical Office and records, Statistical Office and Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia- are the names of the institutions that have been keeping official Serbian statistics for 160 years, produced and published reliable, accurate and comparable results, in accordance with international statistical standards.