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Sociologist Lenk becomes the new head of Statistics Austria – A new beginning!
The sociologist Lenk will take over the management of Statistics Austria on May 23, 2025. Her extensive experience strengthens data-driven policy.
Sociologist Lenk becomes the new head of Statistics Austria – A new beginning!
The sociologistSteeringwas appointed as the new Director General of Statistics Austria. The decision, which was announced on May 23, 2025, was made after a multi-stage selection process that was accompanied by an independent expert commission. Small newspaper reports that a three-proposal was submitted to the Chancellor for appointment.
Lenk has been working for the company since 2004 and was originally responsible for the consumer survey. Over the course of her career, she held various management positions, including as head of the “Register Census and Business Registers”. From 2017 to mid-2019 she headed the “Registers, Classifications and Geoinformation” department. She then worked in Switzerland as deputy director and member of the management team at the Federal Statistical Office. In this role she was also responsible for interoperability and registers.
Experiences and initiatives
In Switzerland, Lenk managed to establish the statistics office as a data steward on behalf of the Federal Council. She was instrumental in setting up an interoperability platform that acts as a central data directory for Switzerland. She also headed numerous interministerial and cantonal committees. Lenk has represented Austria in various specialist committees such as Eurostat, OECD and the United Nations.
ChancellorStockerthanked the outgoing Director General for his commitment over the last five years and emphasized the importance of Statistics Austria's work for fact-based decision-making in politics, business and society.
The structure of Statistics Austria
Statistics Austria, which functions as the National Statistical Institute (NSI), is centrally responsible for most European and federal statistics. Statistics.at highlights that the Austrian national statistical system is highly centralized and no regional offices are subordinate to the NSI. This system for collecting data and producing statistical information is organized jointly and centrally.
The cooperation between Statistics Austria and the federal states is based on a long-term agreement that requires annual coordination for technical and organizational matters. Important issues such as timeliness, cost-effectiveness of statistics and avoidance of duplication of surveys have been addressed in recent years.
Univ.-Prof. Dr.Tobias Thomasserves as the specialist statistical director general of Statistics Austria and is also deputy chairman of the Austrian Productivity Council. In addition to his academic career, he holds a variety of international positions on statistical bodies, including the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) and the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC).
In the coming years, it will be an important task for Lenk to continue the work of Statistics Austria and master the challenges of the digital data landscape. Statistics.at states that also DDr.Franz Haslauerhas served as general commercial director since January 2024, after previously playing a key role in the development strategy of the Austrian Mensen operating company.