The National Statistics Office was created on November 1, 1935, with the main objective of collecting, reviewing, preparing and publishing national statistics in relation to the economic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, financial, environmental and social activities of the population. In its beginnings, the main work of the ONE consisted in the production of the national censuses of population and housing every 10 years.

As of August 2004, the ONE puts a great effort in enhancing its institutional capacity of production and dissemination of official statistical information with characteristics of quality and opportunity.

Currently, among the main responsibilities of the ONE are the realization of national censuses and surveys, the production of statistics on economic, demographic, social, cultural and agricultural matters, the cartographic database, the design and development of research, coordination of the National Statistical System and the implementation of the National Statistical Plan.

The ONE has a large production of statistical information of national scope, segregated at different territorial levels with printed, digital and online publications; in addition to the generation of numerous databases of incalculable value to strengthen the management and decision making of governmental, non-governmental, private institutions, civil society and international cooperation and financing agencies.