Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Business register, Research and Innovation, National Statistics Office, Lascaris, Valletta, Malta
1.6. Contact email address
christianne.micallef@gov.mt
alexia.giordmaina@gov.mt
1.7. Contact phone number
+35625997353
1.8. Contact fax number
not available
2.1. Metadata last certified
15 February 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
15 February 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
15 February 2024
3.1. Data description
The annual Business demography data collection covers variables which explain the characteristics and demography of the business population. The methodology allows for the production of data on enterprise births (and deaths), that is, enterprise creations (cessations) that amount to the creation (dissolution) of a combination of production factors and where no other enterprises are involved (enterprises created or closed solely as a result of e.g. restructuring, merger or break-up are not considered).
A summary of the available indicators is listed below. The data is available at EU, country and regional level, with breakdowns for type of activity, legal form and size class.
For the population of active enterprises: • Number of active enterprises • Number of enterprise births • Number of enterprise survivals up to five years • Number of enterprise deaths • Related variables on employment: 'employees' and 'persons employed' (employees and self-employed persons)
For the population of active employer enterprises: • Number of enterprises having at least one employee • Number of enterprises having the first employee • Number of enterprises having no employees anymore • Number of enterprise survivals up to five years • Related variables on employment: 'employees' and 'persons employed' (employees and self-employed persons)
For high-growth enterprises, the following indicators are available at EU and country level: • Number of high-growth enterprises (growth by 10% or more) • Number of employees of high-growth enterprises • Number of young high-growth enterprises (up to five years old high-growth enterprises) • Number of employees of young high-growth enterprise
3.2. Classification system
From 2008 onwards NACE Rev.2 classification (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community) is used for all indicators.
Starting with reference year 2021, BD data cover the economic activities of market producers within the NACE Rev. 2 Sections B to N, P to R and Divisions S95 and S96. The total economy is presented as Industry, construction and services (code BTSXO_S94).
For the reference years 2008-2020, data for the Sections P, Q, R and S were provided on a voluntary basis and K64.2 was not covered.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
BD constitutes an important and integrated part of the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European Business Statistics (EBS Regulation). The criteria required by Regulation (employment and/or turnover and/or investment) were used to identify the active population. The main exclusions for the population of active units are the government entities and SPEs. The births dates from the business register are used to identify the new registrations by date. The new registrations form part of the births if they are active during the reporting period. Units having a cessassation date in the business register are considered as a death for that year.
3.5. Statistical unit
The Enterprise is the statistical unit used for publishing the BD data.
3.6. Statistical population
The population terms of:
NACE: Starting with reference year 2021, BD data cover the economic activities of market producers within the NACE Rev. 2 Sections B to N, P to R and Divisions S95 and S96. The total economy is presented as Industry, construction and services (code BTSXO_S94).
For the reference years 2008-2020, data for the Sections P, Q, R and S were provided on a voluntary basis and K64.2 was not covered.
Statistical unit: enterprise
3.7. Reference area
Malta
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data collected under new regulation: 2021
Data collected under previous regulation: 2013-2020, break in series 2014
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
• The number of active, birth, death and survival enterprises, as well as high-growth enterprises is expressed in units. • The number of employees is counted as head counts and is expressed in units. • The number of persons employed is the sum of number of employees and self-employed persons. • The number of self-employed persons is the average number of persons who were at some time during the reference period the sole owners or joint owners of the statistical unit in which they work, measured in annual average headcounts, expressed in units. • Derived indicators are expressed in units or percentages
2021
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Before reference year 2021, EU Regulation 2008/295 on structural business statistics, Annex IX, was providing a legal basis for the BD data collection. The Commission implementing EU Regulation 2014/439 ensured data collection on employer enterprises (with at least one employee), high-growth enterprises (more than 10% annual growth over three years) and their employment.
Up to reference year 2006 data have been collected under gentlemen's agreement within the context of the development of Structural Business Statistics.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
At National level, the NSO requests information for the compilation of official statistics according to the articles of the MSA Act – Cap. 422 and the Data Protection Act – Cap. 586 of the Laws of Malta implementing the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Article 40 of the MSA Act stipulates the restrictions on the use of information while Article 41 stipulates the prohibition of disclosure of information. Furthermore, Section IX of the Act (Offences and Penalties) lays down the measures to be taken in case of unlawful exercise of any officer of statistics regarding confidentiality of data.
Since its inception, the NSO has always assured that all data collected remains confidential and that it is used for statistical purposes only according to the articles and derogations stipulated in the laws quoted above. The Office is obliged to protect the identify of data providers and refrain from divulging any data to third parties that might lead to the identification of persons or entities.
During 2009, the NSO has set up a Statistical Disclosure Committee to ensure that statistical confidentiality is observed, especially when requests for microdata are received.
Upon employment, all NSO employees are informed of the rules and duties pertaining to confidential information and its treatment. In line with stipulations of the MSA Act, before commencing work, every employee is required to take an oath of secrecy whose text is included in the same Act.
An internal policy on anonymisation and pseudo-anonymisation is in place to ascertain that adequate methods are used for the protection of data which the office collects and shares with the public in its capacity as the National Statistics Office. The policy is meant to safeguard confidentiality of both personal and business data entrusted to the NSO. The document provides guidance for all NSO employees who process data on a daily basis as to how anonymisation and pseudo-anonymisation methods should be applied. The policy applies to all confidential, restricted and internal information, regardless of form (paper or electronic documents, applications and databases) that is received, processed, stored and disseminated by the NSO.
At European level, Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
If the number of enterprises is less than three, the corresponding employment variables are confidential.
The number of enterprises data is not considered as confidential, if it is less than three, with effect from reference year 2021. The p percent rule with a threshold of p = 10, is applied. If the sum of contribution of the third company onwards is less than 10% of the largest contributor, then it is flagged for confidentiality.
The hypercube method is used in the Tau- Argus software for secondary confidentiality. Secondary confidentiality is carried out on linked tables if there is a common variable in more than one table.
7.2.1. Confidentiality rules (primary and secondary)
Data treatment
Remarks
Confidentiality rules applied
yes
Threshold of number of enterprises (Number)
no
Number of enterprises non confidential, if number of employments is confidential
yes
Dominance criteria applied
yes
If dominance criteria is applied, specify the threshold (in %) and the method of applying the dominance rules
10%
Secondary confidentiality applied
yes
If secondary confidentiality is applied, explain the rules and the methods used
The hypercube method is used in the Tau- Argus software for secondary confidentiality. Secondary confidentiality is carried out on linked tables if there is a common variable in more than one table.
7.2.2. Measures taken to reduce the number of confidential cells
Remarks
Measures taken to reduce the number of confidential cells
yes/no
The (n,k) dominance rule with n=2 and k=80 was used up to reference year 2017. If the sum of the largest 2 contributors exceeded 80% of the cell total, the cell was flagged as confidential. The p% rule was introduced, with effect from referency year 2018, to ensure the provision of more data whilst keeping risks of statistical disclosure control to a minimum. Various thresholds were compared, and the threshold p=10 is applied. Also, for the business demography domain, we do not apply ‘protection against inferential disclosure’ since there are quite a number of suppressed cells within each hierarchy. The aim of this measure is to try and achieve a better trade-off between the usability of the data and the anonymity of the respondents. With effect from reference year 2021, the number of enterprises data is free for publication, even if the number of enterprises is less than three.
If measures have been taken, describe them briefly
Impact of these measures
very good
8.1. Release calendar
The Business demography news release of Malta may be found at:
An internal policy on dissemination is in place to govern the dissemination of official statistics in an impartial, independent and timely manner, making them available simultaneously to all users. The NSO’s primary channel for the dissemination of official statistics is the NSO website.
Tailored requests for statistical information may also be submitted through the said website.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
BD results are disseminated through an on-line news release, in English.
The business demography data is sent to Eurostat, either to be used in European aggregates or to be released also as national data.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Dedicated SIMS reports are available to the public on the NSO’s metadata website including concepts related to metadata and quality.
The NSO has developed an internal Quality Management Framework (QMF) which is built on common requirements of the ESS Code of Practice (ESS CoP). A document was prepared to include a set of general quality guidelines spanning over all statistical domains. Assuring methodological soundness is an integral part of the QMF, nonetheless, the document spans also on other areas related to institutional aspects.
The BR unit and the SBS unit collaborate closely to identify the main divergences in micro data. The primary approach used to determine good practices and improved quality is micro data linking. The main variables reported in the Business Demography, such as business units, NACE, and employment, are cross-checked against the two main sources. The frames were finalized simultaneously to ensure complete coherence. Different administrative sources providing divergent data were always discussed and agreed upon between the two units.
The NSO takes several steps to ensure the accuracy of data released to the public and prepares clear methodological notes that explain the processes involved in the collection and production of official statistics:
Collaboration: The BR unit and the SBS unit work closely together to identify the main divergences in micro data.
Micro Data Linking: The primary approach used to determine good practices and improved quality is micro data linking.
Cross-checking: The main variables reported in the Business Demography, such as business units, NACE, and employment, are cross-checked against the two main sources.
Finalization of Frames: The frames were finalized simultaneously to ensure complete coherence.
Discussion and Agreement: Different administrative sources providing divergent data were always discussed and agreed upon between the two units.
Accuracy of Data: The NSO ensures the accuracy of data released to the public.
Methodological Notes: Clear methodological notes are prepared to explain the processes involved in the collection and production of official statistics.
The NSO has developed an internal Quality Management Framework (QMF) which is built on common requirements of the ESS Code of Practice (ESS CoP). A document was prepared to include a set of general quality guidelines spanning over all statistical domains. Assuring methodological soundness is an integral part of the QMF, nonetheless, the document spans also on other areas related to institutional aspects. Reference to the ESS CoP on the NSO's website is availabe here.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
It is ensured that the data meets user needs by prioritizing completeness and relevance. User satisfaction is regularly evaluated via comprehensive user satisfaction surveys. To uphold accuracy, ample resources are allocated for meticulous data verification. Coherence and comparability are upheld through diligent data matching procedures. For more comprehensive insights into our quality management practices, refer to sections 12 to 15.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Regular consultations are held with internal users of the Business Demography data including National Accounts, SBS unit, Short term statistics Unit. The need of these internal users include up to date NACE, employment and turnover data corresponding to legal units.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The last User Satisfaction Survey was held in 2023 with the aim to collect information about key users’ satisfaction with statistical output.
The NSO keeps record of the number of News Releases and publications disseminated on its website; the users to whom statistical products are provided; as well as the number of requests that are processed every year.
News Releases and tailor-made statistical outputs were assessed on account of their quality, timeliness, and on their ability to meet users’ needs.
12.3. Completeness
All data requirements are disseminated, and there are no gaps in the completeness of the provided data.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
The data completeness rate stands at 100%.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Not requested.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
The proportion of enterprise wrongly designated as active and non-active is estimated to be very low.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not requested.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not requested.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
No significant processing errors were identified in the final data collection process.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested.
14.1. Timeliness
The SBS data is shared with the BD compilers in a timely manner. New registrations are updated to the statistical business register on a monthly basis. Closure of legal units are normally fully updated prior to the BD data compilation.
There are no time lag issues associated with the employment data retreived from administrative sources.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not requested.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not requested.
14.2. Punctuality
The Business Demography (BD) data was transmitted to Eurostat within the specified deadline.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not requested.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Not requested.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
a) First reference year available (calendar year): 2011
b) Breaks in time series and reasons for the breaks:
2014: The break in series is related to methodological changes in the birth, survival and death populations. The enhanced methodology is related to the identification of these populations according to the manual together with the reporting by NACE and size class according to the year of birth for the survival populations.
2021: The implementation of EBS regulation, initiated in 2021, has reshaped the reporting framework for enterprises. Notably, for the retrospective period spanning from 2011 to 2020, each enterprise aligns with a singular legal unit.
c) Outliers in time series: not applicable
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
• 2011-2013
• break in series 2014
• 2014-2020
• 2021 break in series
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The data relating to number of enterprises, number of employees and self-employed and number of employees within Structural Business Statistics vis-a-vis business demography are coherent, with effect from reference year 2021.
The data relating to number of enterprises, number of persons employed in Business register vis-a-vis business demography are not perfectly coherent. Any discrepancies in the data may be attributed to a different cut-off date.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not requested.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not requested.
Not requested.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Currently, there are no scheduled revisions anticipated for the business demography data.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
a) Type of data source: The source of the BD statistical population is the Statistical business register and the SBS data. The sources for updating the Statistical Business Register (SBR) include administrative data, Malta Business Registry data, various NSO surveys and the SBS data.
b) Coverage of SBR (Statistical Business Register): The Statistical Business Register covers all the required NACE sectors and legal forms.
c) Matching, profiling or imputation:
The data sources are cross checked before data is included in the Statistical business register. The statistical business register does not accept duplicates upon uploading.
Employment data updates to the statistical business register are ongoing. The employment data sources include SBS data, employment data available on the published accounts, NSO surveys (JVS, STBS), social security data and Jobsplus data. The SBS employment micro data and the BR employment micro data are matched. The data matching exercise is performed by the BR unit. Any discrepancies in the employment micro data are analysed qualitatively for each enterprise and then feedback is provided to the SBS unit. Statisticians within both the BR unit and the SBS unit discuss the collected qualitative employment data and the employment figures that are deemed accurate by both units are recorded in the Statistical business register as well as in the SBS data. This ensures that the SBS employment data, BD employment data and that within the statistical business register are coherent.
It is ensured that the active business population reported in SBS and BD is identical to the active enterprises within the Statistical business register. Any updates in the active population are shared between the two units, in a timely manner.
The NACE data is matched between SBS, BD and the Statistical business register. Any updates in the NACE data are communicated between the BR unit and the SBS unit. The changes are analysed qualitatively and the accurate NACE code is updated to the Statistical business register as well as to the SBS and BD data.
An accurate registration date as well as de-registration date of enterprises is available in the statistical business register.
18.1.1. Concepts and sources
Does SBR do imputations or estimations of missing data? The SBR does a simple imputation for missing data. A unit is deemed as dormant if the data is missing for five consecutive years, within the statistical business register.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Administrative data is collected monthly. Various NSO surveys and SBS data are collected annually. Employment and turnover data are collected and updated annually.
18.3. Data collection
In the early stages of enterprises, pivotal information is sourced primarily from Administrative MBR (Malta Business Register) and VAT data. Key details, including turnovers, employment figures, as well as birth and cessation statistics, are extracted from the MBR and VAT sources. Specifically, employment updates are generally sourced from a combination of Jobsplus data, JVS data, and SBS data. Moreover, the comprehensive Business Demography data are directly obtained from both SBS data and the Business Register, which encompasses the entire enterprise population.
The data processing starts by establishing a series of annual snapshots of the business register as well as SBS data. Data templates are compiled and uploaded to the BD application program. The BD application program was implemented within the NSO and contains a defined set of rules to identify the required BD datasets. A reactivation of an enterprise after more than two years is considered a birth. A death is confirmed after two years of inactivity. Mergers, take-overs, break-ups and split-offs are flagged and eliminated from the births and deaths.
The survival enterprises are classified by activity and size class in the year they were born. For the population of active, birth and death enterprises activity and size class reflect the classification in each reference year.
18.3.1. Data matching
a) Data matching process and tools:
The matching is done through the company number given by the Malta business registry, which are also provided by the VAT department.
Discrepancies in the data are analysed qualitatively by statisticians within the BR unit in collaboration with the SBS unit and then the accurate figure is recorded in the statistical business register as well as in the SBS data and BD.
b) Matching:
The first step is done by linking the MBR's company number. As a secondary step while uploading a new unit, the BR system alerts us with any possible duplication. This includes the checking of the name. In the event that MBR's company number is a duplicate, the user will be alerted and the program forbids the duplicate legal unit from being uploaded.
Data matching of the employment figures is done qualitatively by analysing the data corresponding to the enterprises that exhibit a discrepancy in the employment figure reported by the BR unit and the SBS unit. Statisticians within both the BR unit and the SBS unit analyse the enterprises having mismatched employment data. The employment figures that are deemed accurate by both units are recorded in the Statistical business register as well as in the SBS data. This ensures that the SBS employment data, BD employment data and that within the statistical business register are coherent.
Any updates in the NACE data of enterprises, are analysed qualitatively by statisticians within the BR unit. The NACE code that is deemed appropriate is updated to the SBS data, BD data as well as to the Statistical business register.
The active population within the Statistical business register and that within SBS and BD are also checked for consistency. Any discrepancies are analysed qualitatively by statisticians within the BR unit and the data is communicated with the SBS unit. The accurate data is updated to the statistical business register and to the SBS data.
The registered address of the delegate legal unit is a crucial factor in the regional business demography of multi-site units. A units that moves between regions are not considered as a birth or death of an enterprise.
Units moving in and out of scope (eg. to or from NACE rev.2 section A or O) are not considered as a death of an enterprise.
Mergers are pinpointed using administrative data sourced from the Malta Business Registry, which is recorded within the Statistical Business Register. Within the Business Demography application program, enterprises participating in a merger are flagged as such and subsequently excluded from the records concerning new births, deaths and high-growth enterprises, as mandated by regulatory requirements.
18.3.2. Manual checks
Large births were investigated through a questionnaire and Malta Business Registry data. Deaths were investigated through the Malta Business Registry data.
18.4. Data validation
Before sending to Eurostat, hierarchical, inter-variable, plausibility, confidentiality and completeness checks are performed. The data validation is alos performed via the EDAMIS acceptance testing, which include structure validation and content validation.
18.5. Data compilation
The missing number of self-employed persons is estimated within the Business Register. This data is subsequently incorporated in the Business Demography compilation.
Preliminary deaths are calculated using the data available in the Business Register as the time of calculation. It should be noted that at the time of calculation, there is no information on reactivations and so considerable revisions in the preliminary deaths are envisaged.
The computation of the annual average number of employees and self-employed persons in active enterprises aligns with SBS and BR data.
For self-employed enterprises, it is estimated that there is one self-employed person when a positive turnover is recorded. In the case of partnerships, it is estimated that there are at least two self-employed persons if a positive turnover is registered.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not requested.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
The annual Business demography data collection covers variables which explain the characteristics and demography of the business population. The methodology allows for the production of data on enterprise births (and deaths), that is, enterprise creations (cessations) that amount to the creation (dissolution) of a combination of production factors and where no other enterprises are involved (enterprises created or closed solely as a result of e.g. restructuring, merger or break-up are not considered).
A summary of the available indicators is listed below. The data is available at EU, country and regional level, with breakdowns for type of activity, legal form and size class.
For the population of active enterprises: • Number of active enterprises • Number of enterprise births • Number of enterprise survivals up to five years • Number of enterprise deaths • Related variables on employment: 'employees' and 'persons employed' (employees and self-employed persons)
For the population of active employer enterprises: • Number of enterprises having at least one employee • Number of enterprises having the first employee • Number of enterprises having no employees anymore • Number of enterprise survivals up to five years • Related variables on employment: 'employees' and 'persons employed' (employees and self-employed persons)
For high-growth enterprises, the following indicators are available at EU and country level: • Number of high-growth enterprises (growth by 10% or more) • Number of employees of high-growth enterprises • Number of young high-growth enterprises (up to five years old high-growth enterprises) • Number of employees of young high-growth enterprise
15 February 2024
BD constitutes an important and integrated part of the EU Regulation 2019/2152 on European Business Statistics (EBS Regulation). The criteria required by Regulation (employment and/or turnover and/or investment) were used to identify the active population. The main exclusions for the population of active units are the government entities and SPEs. The births dates from the business register are used to identify the new registrations by date. The new registrations form part of the births if they are active during the reporting period. Units having a cessassation date in the business register are considered as a death for that year.
The Enterprise is the statistical unit used for publishing the BD data.
The population terms of:
NACE: Starting with reference year 2021, BD data cover the economic activities of market producers within the NACE Rev. 2 Sections B to N, P to R and Divisions S95 and S96. The total economy is presented as Industry, construction and services (code BTSXO_S94).
For the reference years 2008-2020, data for the Sections P, Q, R and S were provided on a voluntary basis and K64.2 was not covered.
Statistical unit: enterprise
Malta
2021
Not requested.
• The number of active, birth, death and survival enterprises, as well as high-growth enterprises is expressed in units. • The number of employees is counted as head counts and is expressed in units. • The number of persons employed is the sum of number of employees and self-employed persons. • The number of self-employed persons is the average number of persons who were at some time during the reference period the sole owners or joint owners of the statistical unit in which they work, measured in annual average headcounts, expressed in units. • Derived indicators are expressed in units or percentages
The missing number of self-employed persons is estimated within the Business Register. This data is subsequently incorporated in the Business Demography compilation.
Preliminary deaths are calculated using the data available in the Business Register as the time of calculation. It should be noted that at the time of calculation, there is no information on reactivations and so considerable revisions in the preliminary deaths are envisaged.
The computation of the annual average number of employees and self-employed persons in active enterprises aligns with SBS and BR data.
For self-employed enterprises, it is estimated that there is one self-employed person when a positive turnover is recorded. In the case of partnerships, it is estimated that there are at least two self-employed persons if a positive turnover is registered.
a) Type of data source: The source of the BD statistical population is the Statistical business register and the SBS data. The sources for updating the Statistical Business Register (SBR) include administrative data, Malta Business Registry data, various NSO surveys and the SBS data.
b) Coverage of SBR (Statistical Business Register): The Statistical Business Register covers all the required NACE sectors and legal forms.
c) Matching, profiling or imputation:
The data sources are cross checked before data is included in the Statistical business register. The statistical business register does not accept duplicates upon uploading.
Employment data updates to the statistical business register are ongoing. The employment data sources include SBS data, employment data available on the published accounts, NSO surveys (JVS, STBS), social security data and Jobsplus data. The SBS employment micro data and the BR employment micro data are matched. The data matching exercise is performed by the BR unit. Any discrepancies in the employment micro data are analysed qualitatively for each enterprise and then feedback is provided to the SBS unit. Statisticians within both the BR unit and the SBS unit discuss the collected qualitative employment data and the employment figures that are deemed accurate by both units are recorded in the Statistical business register as well as in the SBS data. This ensures that the SBS employment data, BD employment data and that within the statistical business register are coherent.
It is ensured that the active business population reported in SBS and BD is identical to the active enterprises within the Statistical business register. Any updates in the active population are shared between the two units, in a timely manner.
The NACE data is matched between SBS, BD and the Statistical business register. Any updates in the NACE data are communicated between the BR unit and the SBS unit. The changes are analysed qualitatively and the accurate NACE code is updated to the Statistical business register as well as to the SBS and BD data.
An accurate registration date as well as de-registration date of enterprises is available in the statistical business register.
Annual.
The SBS data is shared with the BD compilers in a timely manner. New registrations are updated to the statistical business register on a monthly basis. Closure of legal units are normally fully updated prior to the BD data compilation.
There are no time lag issues associated with the employment data retreived from administrative sources.
Not requested.
a) First reference year available (calendar year): 2011
b) Breaks in time series and reasons for the breaks:
2014: The break in series is related to methodological changes in the birth, survival and death populations. The enhanced methodology is related to the identification of these populations according to the manual together with the reporting by NACE and size class according to the year of birth for the survival populations.
2021: The implementation of EBS regulation, initiated in 2021, has reshaped the reporting framework for enterprises. Notably, for the retrospective period spanning from 2011 to 2020, each enterprise aligns with a singular legal unit.
