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This article provides an overview of official statistics in the European Union (EU), including the organizations involved, prominent examples, and the distinction between official and non-official statistics. It also discusses the Eurostat and ECB approaches to statistical quality and the ECB Statistics Quality Framework.
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Some background informationabout official statistics in the European Union (EU) Martin Eiglsperger European Central Bank – DG Statistics* The 2008 World Congress on National Accounts and Economic Performance Measures for Nations Washington D.C., 12-17 May 2008 * The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Central Bank.
1 Official statistics in the EU (1) • Produced by • the European Statistical System (ESS), i.e. Eurostat (the Statistical Office of the European Communities) and the national statistical institutes of the EU • the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), i.e. the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the euro area (=Eurosystem) + national central banks of EU countries not participating in the Monetary Union • Memorandum of Understanding
2 Official statistics in the EU (2) Three prominent examples: • Statistics produced by Eurostat and the ESS: Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices • Statistics produced by the ECB and the Eurosystem/ESCB: Monetary aggregates • Balance of payments statistics (b.o.p): • ECB: compiles b.o.p. for the euro area • Eurostat: focuses on aggregates for the European Union
3 Official vs. non-official statistics Relevant for the ECB are in particular: • Official statistics: • Impartiality • International statistical standards • Well-established system of production and further development; involvement of main users, e.g. the ECB, in working groups, steering groups, committees etc. • Comparability across countries • Non-official statistics:in particular opinion surveys; often more timely
4 Eurostat approach to statistical quality Focuses on “statistical outputs” (Giovannini, OECD): • Relevance • Accuracy • Comparability • Coherence • Timeliness and punctuality • Accessibility and clarity
5 ECB Statistics Quality Framework • The ECB Statistics Quality Framework (SQF) combines the principles of good governance and quality of processes and outputs (similar to the IMF approach) • Sets forth the main quality principles and elements guiding the production of ECB statistics → internal processes + coordination with NCBs • Addressees: • Users of ECB statistics • Data providers • ECB staff working on statistics