We introduce a mean counting function for Dirichlet series, which plays the same role in the function theory of Hardy spaces of Dirichlet series as the Nevanlinna counting function does in the classical theory. The existence of the mean counting function is related to Jessen and Tornehaves resolution of the Lagrange mean motion problem. We use the mean counting function to describe all compact composition operators with Dirichlet series symbols on the Hardy--Hilbert space of Dirichlet series, thus resolving a problem which has been open since the bounded composition operators were described by Gordon and Hedenmalm. The main result is that such a composition operator is compact if and only if the mean counting function of its symbol satisfies a decay condition at the boundary of a half-plane.
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