Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO)

Business Statistics Department, Internal Trade and Research and Development Statistics Section

Postal address: H-1525 Budapest P.O.B. 51, Hungary

The purpose of data collection is to show the development of the market for services. The survey covers the traditional service sector (like transportation, accommodation and food service activities, real estate activities, education, etc.) but financial and insurance activities as well as public administration and defence, compulsory social security are excluded from the observation. All enterprises are observed if the number of persons employed is greater than 49. For legal units and non-profit organisations employing between 5 and 49 persons the data collection is based on representative sample survey. When classifying an enterprise only the number of employees employed by the given firm is taken into account. The random stratified sample is used. The sample contains roughly 10,500 data providers. The sampling frame arises from a fixed file extracted from the Business Register.

The sampling frame arises from a fixed file extracted from the Business Register.

Monthly turnover data are produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics using the turnover data of the monthly VAT returns as auxiliary. Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year. 

Statistical Classification of Econopmic Activities in the European Commjnity (NACE Rev. 2).

Monthly turnover data are produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics using the turnover data of the monthly VAT returns as auxiliary. Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

Coverage of monthly volume indices (PROD):

Aggregate H-N,

Sections H, I, J, L, M, N,

Divisions H49, H50, H51, H52, H53, I55, I 56, J58, J59, J60, J61, J62, J63, M69, M71, M73, M74, N77, N78, N79, N80, N81, N82

Group: M702 of NACE Rev. 2.

Variable 140101 Production (volume)

In line with the European business statistics methodological manual, “Services production” was calculated on the basis of service turnover deflated by a suitable service producer price index.

Turnover is defined as the total turnover value of economic activities performed by enterprises classified to the service industry. Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the observation unit during the reference period, and this corresponds to market sales of services supplied to third parties. Turnover also includes all other charges (transport, packaging, etc.) passed on to the customer, even if these charges are listed separately in the invoice.

Monthly turnover data are produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics using the turnover data of the monthly VAT returns as auxiliary.

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

As regards the definitions of variables used in practice of the HCSO the Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197 is the standard source.

Legal unit (considered as enterprise).

Monthly turnover data are produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics (approximately 60.400 data provider) using the turnover data of the monthly VAT returns as auxiliary.

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

The target population consists of legal units included in Aggregate H-N,

Sections H, I, J, L, M, N,

Divisions H49, H50, H51, H52, H53, I55, I 56, J58, J59, J60, J61, J62, J63, M69, M71, M73, M74, N77, N78, N79, N80, N81, N82

Group: M702 of NACE Rev. 2.

Territory of Hungary. The whole national area is covered and the activities performed outside the national territory is not taken into account in this variable.

Data are available from 2009.

Base year: 2015

Monthly ISPs, indices (%)

Reference Period: Month

At European level:

• Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics concerning short term statistics.
• Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics concerning short term statistics. (General Implementing Act)
• Council Regulation (EC) No 1165/98 of 19 May 1998 concerning short term statistics; Regulation (EC) No 1165/98 is repealed with effect from 1 January 2024.
• STS data requirements overview June 2021
• STS data requirements by country size June 2021

All relevant regulations can be found in the STS section on Eurostat’s website under Statistics => Short-term business statistics => Legislation

At national level:

• The Act CLV of 2016 on Statistics (the Hungarian Statistical Law)
• Government Decree on the National Statistical Data Collection Programme enacting the surveys of reference period.

Additional information in English can be found here.

According to the Regulation (EU)  2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics concerning short term statistics and European business statistics methodological manual monthly volume indices (ISPs) were submitted from 2021.

All of the features of dissemination activity are consistent with the Dissemination and Communication Policy of Hungarian Central Statistical Office. In the elaboration of this document the

• The Act CLV of 2016 on Statistics (the Hungarian Statistical Law)
• Act CXII of 2011 on Right of Informational Self-Determination and Freedom of Information and
• Regulation 223/2009/EC of EP and Council on European Statistics provided the most important legal basis. Furthermore, Dissemination Policy is in line with the Quality Declaration of ESS, the Code of Practice and Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

(Since the last update of Dissemination Policy of HCSO a new statistical law has been adopted in Hungary and the European Statistical law has been amended, but the changes do not affect the principals of Dissemination Policy.)

HCSO has a public Dissemination calendar that contains the dissemination dates of all First releases. The public dissemination calendar (Catalogue) on the website of HCSO provided information not only the first releases but the analyses, methodological publications, promotional publications, reports, statistical reflections, yearbooks and pocketbooks. Both calendars are prepared in line with the annual dissemination programme.

HCSO ensures confidentiality for all the data reported by data providers and the exclusive use of the data for statistical purposes. We disseminate only aggregated data in full compliance with the rules of confidentiality. Individual data, as well as aggregated data consisting of fewer than 3 enterprises are regarded as confidential and therefore not published. Researchers have access to de-identified data sets and to anonymised micro data for scientific purposes with appropriate legal and methodological guaranties in place. As for the employees, they can work with datasets in their competence with registered and controlled access rights. For details see Information on confidentiality for data providers on the website of HCSO.

All of the features of dissemination activity are consistent with the Dissemination and Communication Policy of Hungarian Central Statistical Office. In the elaboration of this document the

• The Act CLV of 2016 on Statistics (the Hungarian Statistical Law)
• Act CXII of 2011 on Right of Informational Self-Determination and Freedom of Information and
• Regulation 223/2009/EC of EP and Council on European Statistics provided the most important legal basis. Furthermore, Dissemination Policy is in line with the Quality Declaration of ESS, the Code of Practice and Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

(Since the last update of Dissemination Policy of HCSO a new statistical law has been adopted in Hungary and the European Statistical law has been amended, but the changes do not affect the principals of Dissemination Policy.)

HCSO has a public Dissemination calendar that contains the dissemination dates of all First releases. The public dissemination calendar (Catalogue) on the website of HCSO provided information not only the first releases but the analyses, methodological publications, promotional publications, reports, statistical reflections, yearbooks and pocketbooks. Both calendars are prepared in line with the annual dissemination programme.

A public dissemination calendar of the first releases is accessible and it can be downloaded in Excel format by everyone via the website of HCSO. It provides information about publish date, the date of any modification, the title of publication, the reference period or date and the date of inclusion in the database.

First releases and the related databases are published at 9 a. m. on the day provided in the Dissemination calendar. Some key user groups are subjected to other rules because of their special role in the economic and political life. Journalists can read the first release in the Press Room at 8:30 a. m. but they are allowed to transmit their reports at 9 a. m. after the publication of HCSO. Certain first releases are sent to the members of the government and the President of the National Bank of Hungary at 5 p. m. on the day prior to the publication after closure of the Budapest Stock Exchange. Within the given ministry and the National Bank of Hungary responsible use of our data is ensured by strict rules.

The data in first releases, in dissemination database and in other tables are open for everyone after the publication.

Monthly ISPs were published in the HCSO on the last working day of each month under Summary tables (STADAT).

https://www.ksh.hu/stadat_files/gsz/en/gsz0062.html

In all cases, the data were sent to EUROSTAT before this date, converted in the ESTAT_STSALL+2.1 system embargo time and FLAG N (Not for publication, restricted for internal use only) in the CONF STATUS were used.

Month

There is no first release for monthly production of services data.

Summary tables (STADAT).

https://www.ksh.hu/stadat_files/gsz/en/gsz0062.html

Monthly production indices in services (ISPs) were not published in online database.

In HCSO the following four data access channels are available only for researchers for scientific purposes. The HCSO performs a researcher accreditation procedure for all data requests for these four data access channels.

• Safe Centre access

The HCSO offers access to deidentified microdata sets for scientific purposes in the safe environment of the Safe Centre operated by the HCSO in Budapest.

• Remote access

The offers access to deidentified microdata sets for scientific purposes in the safe environment of the remote access points operated by the HCSO under the same access conditions as the Safe Centre access.

• Remote execution

For scientific purposes, the HCSO produces the requested research outputs inside its own safe environment based on the specifications/syntax files provided by the researcher.

• Release of anonymised microdata sets

By using this data access channel the HCSO provides anonymised microdata sets for the researcher for scientific purposes.

Data transmission is fulfilled to Eurostat each month to be released as national data.

These data were published in the Summary tables (STADAT): https://www.ksh.hu/stadat_files/gsz/en/gsz0062.html

There are methodological notes on HCSOs website.

User-oriented quality reports on statistical domains are prepared in the framework of methodological documentation and are published as metainformation on the HCSO website: http://www.ksh.hu/apps/meta.main?p_lang=EN.

An internal HCSO regulation is in place regarding the preparation of producer-oriented quality reports for each statistical domain on a yearly basis.

In case of some statistical domains quality check is carried out and documented each month for the management of HCSO. However, this report is not published.

The HCSO Quality Policy lays out the principles and commitments related to the quality of statistics. The documentis consistent with the goals set out in the Mission and Vision statements andwith the principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice and is publicly available on the HCSO website.

The European Statistics Code of Practice is available on the website of the HCSO. Also, HCSO together with the member-organisations of the Hungarian Official Statistical Service created a National Statistics Code of Practice based on the European Statistics Code of Practice. (Currently the National Statistics Code of Practice is available in Hungarian only on the HCSO website.)

Quality Guidelines are meant to ensure the quality of the statistical processes. The document has been in place since 2007 (1st revision in 2009, 2nd revision in 2014 and 3rd revision is currently ongoing). The latest version (2014) is available on the HCSO website.

Procedures are in place in order to ensure updated documentation on product quality. (See above about Quality Documentation in 10.7) Apart from the internal reports, quality reports are regularly provided to Eurostat as well.

Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197  laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics concerning short term statistics. The General Implementing Act prescribes the scope, the level of detail the deadlines and also the implementation of definitions of variables. The processing of data production has been developed according to these regulations. Monthly indices of services production are published in line with EBS regulation.

The average weighted response rate of the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics is about 95%, which is a good achievement. The content and coverage of collected data meet the requirements. For accuracy HCSO operates an electronic data collection and a data entry system in which a three-stage data correction system works.

Monthly turnover data are produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics (approximately 58.000 data provider) using the turnover data of the monthly VAT returns as auxiliary. The amount of 3 months must be equal to the amount of the quarter year.

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

Period/period changes of ISPs were validated and clarified as follow:

• Due to the monthly revision of our auxiliary (VAT) data,
• the COVID-19 effect,
• changing of the VAT regulation in April 2021 and
• due to the annual and quarterly revision of the quarterly input data,

as well as in the seasonal adjusted data, higher differences could be found in some cases in our data series.

The time series of the monthly indices of services production are available in the Summary tables for everyone. (https://www.ksh.hu/stadat_files/gsz/en/gsz0062.html)

The concepts and methods are based on European legislation. The main international user is Eurostat. The principal domestic users are the National Central Bank of Hungary and Ministries. The relevant internal users are the National Accounts department and the Business statistics department.

Not available.

The level of detail is in accordance with the EBS regulation. 31 time series were transmitted to Eurostat. Data are available for everybody in the Summary tables (STADAT)

https://www.ksh.hu/stadat_files/gsz/en/gsz0062.html

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

Sampling error is not applicable.

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

Non-sampling error is not applicable.

Monthly ISPs were published in the Summary tables (STADAT) t+60.

https://www.ksh.hu/stadat_files/gsz/en/gsz0062.html

The publications are in agreement with the dissemination calendar. Data transmissions were adhered to the scheduled dates.

Over the data collection and calculation domestic and non-domestic markets are interpreted according to area of Hungary. The whole country is treated in a uniform manner from a statistical point of view. The same statistical concepts can be applied for all of the area. All data sources cover the regions fully. There are no difficulties concerning the geographical comparability.

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

Monthly ISPs are available from 2009.

Data of monthly ISPs were published in line with the EBS Regulation.

Monthly ISPs are produced model-based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics.

Monthly ISPs are revised with the SBS compared quarterly service turnover data.

There was not known internal inconsistency.

D_120_Q+BCS_TOVT_PVS_TOVV_M

Cost (NSI hours per year, 2022): 4296

Burden (Respondents hours per year, 2022): 20642

HCSO published its renewed revision policy in 2018. The revision policy is in line with the following conceptual frameworks:

• the official statistical principles of the UN
• the European Statistics Code of Practice
• the “ESS guidelines on revision policy for PEEIs”, which have been approved by the European Statistical Committee in February, 2012
• the quality guidelines of the HCSO
• the Dissemination and Communication Policy of the HCSO
• finally, the HCSO takes into consideration the deadlines of mandatory international data transmissions and publications

 HCSO considers any change in the value of already published data as data revision. Revisions take place for a number of distinct reasons, which tend to break into four groups:

• incorporation of better source data (e.g. replacement of first/provisional estimates based on expert judgements, or as a result of benchmarking)
• capturing routine recalculations (e.g. updating the base period)
• reflection of improved methodology (e.g. changes in concepts, definitions or classifications)
• correction of errors

Taking into account the various causes of revisions and the different frequencies of publications, the HCSO – in correspondence with international guidelines – distinguishes the following types of revisions:

• Routine revisions: routine revisions are changes in published data which are related to the regular statistical business process. Routine revisions mainly occur when the incorporation of late information (new or the correction of already obtained) modifies the already published results or in the case of benchmarking. Routine revisions are conducted periodically, according to a schedule drawn up in advance. With some sets of statistics (e.g. in foreign trade), a number of revisions are needed to obtain final results, while in other cases the provisional results are replaced by final data in the course of one single revision. Routine revisions barely affect the applied methodology, and only a few periods (some months or quarters) back in time are revised and longer revisions take place at a lower frequency, e.g. annually.

• Major/methodological revisions: Major revisions are changes in published data, often substantial, which are due to changes in definitions, classifications and methodologies. Updating of the weights of the base year of an index series, the availability of a new structuralsource that is only collected at long intervals (5 to 10 years), such as the census, and the entry into force of a new legal act may also cause major revisions.

Major revisions are planned very well in advance and users are informed beforehand on the forthcoming major revisions. They are less frequent than routine revisions and occur only every 5 to 10 years. Since major revisions affect a large part of the time series and sometimes even the complete time series, it is necessary to backcast time series, otherwise major revisions would produce breaks and inconsistencies in them.

• Unplanned revisions: Unplanned or unscheduled revisions are those that are not foreseen (as opposed to planned revisions), because they are a result of unforeseeable events and therefore it is usually not possible to pre-announced them in advance. As unscheduled revisions can undermine confidence in the quality of official statistics, HCSO is committed to avoiding as much as possible unscheduled revisions and to limit them to the case of important errors (whose correction results in significant improvement regarding data quality). Unscheduled revisions are communicated to the users in a transparent manner.

HCSO makes its general and domain specific revision policies publicly available on its official website. HCSO applies the general policy’s principles to all of its statistics (including the STS data transmitted to the Eurostat). Although subject matter statistics may have specificities regarding their revision practices, they have to be fully compliant with the general principles.

HCSO notifies users about forthcoming revisions in time and indicates their date and time in the revision calendar.

Monthly ISPs were produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics used VAT as auxiliary.

The first and second month of the quarter year were forecast from the previous quarterly collected data, there were revised in the third month with the actual collected quarterly performance statistics.

Data were changed every month from the first reference period for the following reasons:

- Monthly data were estimated from quarterly data used a disaggregation model.

- VAT data (auxiliary) were revised each month.

- Monthly data were revised in each third month with the current quarterly data.

- Monthly SPPIs (Services producer price indices) were revised in every month.

The major revision will take place in August following the reference year. In this month is the annual revision of quarterly data (SBS comparison) and the annual revision of VAT data.

Please find attached the monthly QPI indicators for ISPs: MAR, RMAR, MR, MAXAR.

These data series were sent first in January 2021. We have only 24 values instead of 36.

Year/year data are not available for unadjusted and calendar adjusted data.

Seasonally adjusted data (SA) are available for 2021-2022 period/period.

Monthly ISPs were produced model based.

Source data are the following:

• Survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics
• Monthly VAT as auxiliary.

Monthly ISPs were produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics used VAT as auxiliary.

Monthly ISPs were produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics used VAT as auxiliary.

Reported monthly model-based data were examined according to the following criteria:

• Changes were compared period/period.
• Changes were compared year/year.
• Changes of the auxiliary (VAT) were compared period/period
• Changes of the SPPIs (services producer price indices) were compared period/period
• Data were converted and validated by SDMX converter web application.

Monthly ISPs were published in line with the EBS Regulation.

Monthly turnover data were produced model based from the survey OSAP 2236 Quarterly performance statistics (approximately 58.000 data provider) using the turnover data of the monthly VAT returns as auxiliary. The amount of 3 months must be equal to the amount of the quarter year.

Volume indices (ISPs) were prepared from monthly model-based turnover data according to the EUROSTAT recommendation, using chain linked, annual overlap methodology on the basis of the year 2015, deflated with Laspeyres-type service producer price indices calculated on the average of the previous year.

Seasonal Adjustment

At the Hungarian Central Statistical Office the TRAMO/SEATS method with JDemetra+ is used for seasonal adjustment in accordance with the ESS guidelines on seasonal adjustment. Model revision as default takes place yearly, and the results of the new model are published with the first data of the new year. During this step a fully automated model identification is made by TRAMO/SEATS, but the final decision is based on subject-matter domain information. During the year, with each new data the coefficients of the model are re-estimated, and revision of the seasonally adjusted data is made from the beginning of the time series. No forecast is made in any step of the process.

Calendar adjustment

For the calendar adjustment country specific calendar is used, which includes all the national holidays since 1990. Working day regressor is used for quarterly time series, and for monthly time series shorter than 15 years. For monthly time series which are at least 15 years long trading day regressors are used. The leap year effect is tested and used if it is significant.

Standard Easter effect is also used in the models if it has a significant effect and/or economic reason is available.

Outlier detection

Additive (AO), level shift (LS) and temporary change (TC) outliers are used during the seasonal adjustment process. In the yearly model revision the results of the automatic outlier detection and the economic reasons are checked. At the end of the process outliers used in the previous year are changed (especially those of which were long time ago) if it is strongly reasonable.

During the year last outliers refresh strategy of the JDemetra+ is used, it means that the outliers in the last year of the sample are re-identified.

More general information can be found in the following link: About seasonal adjustment

Monthly ISPs were sent first in January 2021. We have only 24 values instead of 36.

Year/year data are not available for unadjusted and calendar adjusted data.

Seasonally adjusted data (SA) are available for 2021-2022 period/period.