NOMESCO decided in 2008 to produce a new report on the production of mortality statistics in the region. The task was assigned to a subgroup of the BNG, Lars Age Johansson (Sweden, chair), Helena Korpi (Finland) and Anne Gro Pedersen (Norway).

The major part of the present report is based on replies to a questionnaire. A first draft of the questionnaire was designed by the report team and then reviewed by the entire BNG members in early 2009. Anne Gro Pedersen summarized the replies- Lars Age Johansson compiled a draft report that was circulated to the BNG in April 2010, and also edited the final version. Experiences from the annual meetings with the BNG have also been included in the report, where relevant.