European statistics relating to persons and households

2016/0264(COD)

PURPOSE: to establish a common framework for European statistics relating to persons and households, based on data at individual level collected from samples.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common framework for European statistics relating to persons and households, based on data at individual level collected from samples, amending Regulations (EC) No 808/2004, (EC) No 452/2008 and (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1177/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 577/98.

CONTENT: this Regulation establishes a common framework for European statistics relating to persons and households, based on data at individual level collected from samples of those persons and households.

Domains and data sets

The statistics covered by the Regulation shall be organised into specific domains and themes detailed in Annex I to the Regulation.

For all domains, the data sets shall cover the following common topics:

 

  • technical items;
  • persons and households characteristics;
  • labour market participation;
  • educational attainment and background;
  • health: status and disability, access to, availability and use of health care and health determinants.

In addition to the topics common to all domains, the data sets shall cover the following topics:

 

  • job tenure, work biography and previous work experience;
  • working conditions including working hours and working time arrangements;
  • participation in education and training;
  • income, consumption and elements of wealth, including debts;
  • living conditions, including material deprivation, housing, living environment and access to services;
  • quality of life, including social, civil, economic and cultural participation, inclusion and wellbeing;
  • participation in the information society, and
  • allocation of time (optional).

The Commission may adopt delegated acts in order to:

 

  • amend the detailed themes listed in Annex I in order to take into account relevant legislative, technical, social, political and economic developments and to respond to new user needs;
  • establish a multi-year rolling plan covering a period of 8 years.

The Commission shall also be empowered to adopt implementing measures on the technical specifications of data sets, technical formats for the transmission of information, characteristics of sampling frames and quality reports.

Member States shall start transmitting the data to the Commission under the provisions of the new Regulation from 2021.

Five annexes provide detailed information on the topics to be covered, accuracy requirements, sample characteristics, frequency and deadlines for data transmission.

Pilot and feasibility studies and financing

In accordance with the objectives of this Regulation, the Commission shall institute feasibility and pilot studies aiming to improve the quality of the data sets and social indicators. Such studies shall cover data comparability, developing new methodologies, modernising data collection and meeting users’ new demands, especially addressing populations that are difficult to reach, data on specific sub‐populations, in particular those that are the most vulnerable, making available statistics at NUTS 2 territorial level, and producing data at detailed local level in a cost‐effective and responsive manner.

Member States shall cooperate with regard to those feasibility and pilot studies and the Commission should be able to provide financial support for their implementation.

Where appropriate, a Union financial contribution should also be provided to Member States in the form of grants, in particular for capacity‐building.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 3.11.2019.

APPLICATION: from 1.1.2021 (1.1.2025 for some areas).