Annual surveys cover areas including national and provincial socio-economics, manufacturing establishments, population and the labour force.

Established in 1960 as the Central Bureau of Statistics (Biro Pusat Statistik), the institute is directly responsible to the president of Indonesia.

In February 1920, the Director of Agriculture and Trade (Directeur van Landbouw Nijverheid en Handel) of the government of the Dutch East Indies, established the Statistical Office based in Bogor.

It was tasked with planning actions to ensure the achievement of unity in statistical activities in Indonesia.

In June 1942, the Government of Japan reactivated statistical activities focused on meeting the needs of war or military.