 This was the beginning of state statistics in Serbia, but historic data suggest there was even earlier collecting of statistical data on tax payers, census of the cattle (in 1824) and regular population censuses (from 1834), as well as, since 1843, regular monitoring of statistical data on external trade, domestic trade, prices and wages.Statistical work was performed even before the foundation of the National Statistical Office through participation of Serbian representatives at international congresses of statisticians held in the Hague in 1859, in Berlin in 1863 and in Florence in 1867.The Law on the Organization of Statistics was enacted in 1881 and in 1882 the Ministry of National Economy assumed responsibility regarding national statistics.