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.
The statistics on global value chains describe enterprises' participation in global value chains. The global value chain consists of all border crossing activities that are required to bring a product or service from an idea through different production stages to the end user. One instance of enterprises' value and production chains is outsourcing of activities. The statistics describe which tasks enterprises operating in Finland are moving abroad, to which area and what reasons or obstacles are behind the outsourcing. The statistics also contain more extensive information on the activity of domestic enterprises on foreign markets and on the nature of the activity. The statutory data content has a changing share, within which data are collected from enterprises on topical matters in the reference period related to global value chains.
The GVC dataset contains ten variables defined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. These cover:
(1) employment by business function
(2-5) enterprises purchasing or supplying goods and services abroad
(6) the number of enterprises carrying out international sourcing
(7-8) jobs created and lost resulting from international sourcing
(9) motivations and barriers for sourcing, and
(10) events affecting GVC arrangements.
Besides the statutory data content a part of the statistical content has been developed and published with funding from the European Union.
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev. 2 is used to classify economic activities for all variables. Business functions are created following the Manual on the Classification of Business Function and follow the harmonised list defined in the GVC implementing act, distinguishing core and support functions as well as specific functional categories such as production of goods, ICT services, marketing, engineering, and R&D.
Geographical classifications follow the breakdowns prescribed in Regulation (EU) 2022/918, including EU Member States, Extra-EU, and specific partner regions (e.g. China, India, USA and Canada, Central and South America, Africa).
Classifications for job skills follow the high-skilled / not-high-skilled distinction set out in the GVC Compilers’ Manual.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The statistics cover market producers classified under NACE Rev. 2 Sections B to N (Standard Industrial Classification 2008). This sector coverage is defined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 and applies uniformly to all variables. Only enterprises with 50 or more employees and self-employed persons in the final year of the reference period are included. Only active enterprises are covered.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
All concepts and definitions follow Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 and the GVC Compilers’ Manual. International sourcing refers to the partial or full movement of business functions abroad within or outside the enterprise group, during 2021-2023. Variables (2)-(5) apply only to enterprises exceeding the EUR 100 000 threshold for goods/services purchased or supplied abroad. Business functions are divided into core and support categories and specific functional areas (e.g. ICT, management and administration). Motivations and barriers follow the fixed lists provided in the regulation, and importance factors use the standard four-level scale (very important, moderately important, not important, not applicable/do not know).
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit of the statistics on global value chains is an enterprise (enterprise unit), as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics and the Business Register Regulation. An enterprise defined as a unit with decision-making autonomy, which produces goods and/or services to be sold on the market. An enterprise may be comprised of one or more legal units (Business ID). If an enterprise consists of several legal units, the enterprise unit data are formed based on Eurostat's guidelines.
3.6. Statistical population
The target population consists of all market-producing enterprises in NACE Sections B-N with at least 50 employees and self-employed persons in the final year of the reference period. Activity is determined based on enterprises' having turnover, other operating income, balance sheet, personnel or investments in the last year of the reference period. Sampling is based on the second year of the reference period apart from size class which is derived from the preliminary employment data of the final year of the reference period. The sample is restratified based on the information of the final year when compiling the published series.
3.7. Reference area
The statistics on global value chains are published on the level of Finland, including the autonomous region of Åland.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Depending on the indicator, the reference period of GVC statistics is either three consecutive calendar years, i.e. 2021-2023, or the latest calendar year, i.e. 2023.
3.9. Base period
The statistics on global value chains are not index-based statistics. The data comprise either the reference period (three years) or the last year of the reference period.
All variables in the GVC dataset are transmitted in absolute values, in accordance with the measurement unit specified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. Compiled figures are not absolute due to the weighting method. The number of employees and self-employed persons are likewise not absolute numbers due to the concept of the variable. These figures are rounded to absolute numbers in the transmission datasets in accordance with the measurement unit specified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. The national publication presents the same information as the transmission datasets but in percentages or absolute numbers depending on the indicator.
The reference period for the GVC statistics is 2021-2023, in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. Variables cover activities that may have occurred during this three-year period. Variables (1)-(5) refer specifically to the final year of the period (2023). Variables (6)-(10) cover actions that took place at any time between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The collection and compilation of statistics is guided by the Finnish Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.These include:
Regulation (2019/2152) of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics and the Commission Implementing Regulation on global value chains supplementing this with technical specifications, which is updated every three years. To support the application of EU legislation, Eurostat has prepared the “European business statistics compilers' manual for global value chains” for producers of data on the topic.
The Regulation on statistical units, Regulation of the Council on statistical units is applied to the statistics on enterprise activity (696/93).
The Standard Industrial Classification 2008 is based on the European Union’s common industrial classification, NACE Rev. 2, supplemented for national needs on the 5-digit level.
The main legal bases specific to the compilation of GVC statistics are Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918, which defines the variables, population, breakdowns and transmission deadlines for the 2021-2023 reference period. The topic Global Value Chains is listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/2152.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The data are published every three years on Statistics Finland's website and the StatFin database after ensuring the suppression of confidential information. Microdata is accessible without identification of units for research use in Statistics Finlands' research services. The data are not currently shared with other national authorities for statistical purposes. Only aggregated data are transmitted to Eurostat, and microdata are not disseminated. Eurostat applies its own confidentiality rules to the aggregate data received, ensuring secure handling and safe dissemination.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed in accordance with the requirements of the Statistics Act (280/2004), the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act (1050/2018). Confidentiality of statistical data is also ensured by Regulation (EC) 223/2009 on European statistics and Regulation (EU) 2019/2152.
The data materials are protected at all stages of processing with the necessary physical and technical solutions. Statistics Finland has compiled detailed directions and instructions for confidential processing of the data. Employees have access only to the data essential for their duties. The premises where unit-level data are processed are not accessible to outsiders. Members of the personnel have signed a pledge of secrecy upon entering the service. Violation of data protection is punishable.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Statistics Finland’s official guidelines on the protection of tabulated business data are applied in protecting the data of the statistics on global value chains. As in sample surveys, the basis for publishing the data is to not publish data on the statistical units belonging to the sample. In terms of protection, compliance with the threshold rule is the primary procedure. If the statistics contained data in euros they would also be protected according to the dominance rule. The protected data are suppressed.
The global value chains data are submitted to Statistics Finland's Research Services for research use. The data do not include identifiers. The use of the data for scientific research and statistical surveys is possible only on the basis of a separate licensing decision and in an unidentifiable format.
In the tabulations submitted to Eurostat, sensitive cells are indicated as protected (also secondary protection), in which case Eurostat does not publish these data. However, the data can be used in calculating summary data at the EU level. Protection is indicated in accordance with instructions given by Eurostat.
8.1. Release calendar
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data are public after they have been updated in the web service.
8.2. Release calendar access
The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in Statistics Finland's web service in Finnish, Swedish and English. The data are public after they have been updated in the web service. The calendar is updated annually.
The release calendar is accessible in the following website.
8.3. Release policy - user access
The national publication is available for all users equally in the publicly open StatFin database after the publication date. Tailored statistics are available for charge after the publication date. The data are not available for any user prior to the publication date.
The results of the GVC statistics are collected, compiled and transmitted triennally in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/91. National publication takes place shortly before the transmission of data and metadata to Eurostat.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
There is no news release related to GVC statistics besides the publication itself.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
GVC statistics is published as a separate item in Statistics Finland's website and StatFin -database. The variables may be additionally included in articles and presentations.
A subset of variables, including enterprise type information of international outsourcing and constraints affecting enterprises' value chains, are published in the Statfin database.
The global value chains data are submitted to Statistics Finland's Research Services for research use. The use of the data for scientific research and statistical surveys is possible only on the basis of a separate licensing decision and in an unidentifiable format. The data are accessed in Statistics Finland's FIONA remote access system which is a data secure processing environment. Research results and other material may only be transferred outside the system through a screening process.The data processed in Fiona pseudonymised, which means that unique identifiers are protected with pseudo identifiers.
Link to Statistics Finland's research services' overall website.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
GVC statistics' results may be disseminated through articles, blogs and presentations.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Statistics Finland disseminates methodological information on a given statistics' website in a separate section. Methodological information is also provided in the national metadata accompanying the GVC data transmission and in the GVC Compilers' Manual published by Eurostat.
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The quality management framework of the field of statistics is the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP). The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are also compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
The quality of the statistics is assessed in two stages of the statistical process. The coherence of the unit data of the statistics with other enterprise data and the coherence between the responses filled in by the respondent are examined during the data collection stage. In the validation prior to the release of the statistics final corrections and imputations are made more extensively to unit-level data based on the existing data.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Main users consist of researchers and government ministries. The data is used to obtain information on enterprises' activities on outsourcing and linkages to global value chains.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction is not systematically collected. Stakeholder meetings are held from time to time. The use of statistics is mostly limited to government ministries and academic and think tank researchers.
12.3. Completeness
The transmitted series cover the mandatory variables of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 completely.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Global value chains is a sample survey and the survey design always involves statistical uncertainty factors, the most important of which are measurement error and non-response.
13.2. Sampling error
Most of the variables were collected based on a survey stratified by firm size, industry and enterprise group status in order to ensure representativeness.
13.3. Non-sampling error
The items of the GVC survey are often misunderstood by respondents. Steps were taken to ensure the conceptual accuracy of international outsourcing. However, qualitative questions ultimately depend on respondents own views.
14.1. Timeliness
At the end of the reference period:
The data are collected in approximately four months' time.
The data are published in 18 months' time.
The data are supplied to Eurostat at the latest 21 months from the end of the reference period.
14.2. Punctuality
There is no delay in publishing the data of the statistics on global value chains. The data have been published on the days indicated in the release calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The data production of the global value chains topic is based on Eurostat's guidelines and the concepts are comparable with the data of other European statistical offices. The production modes of the European statistical offices are regularly compared coordinated by Eurostat.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The first regulation-based reference period of the topic of global value chains as well as the first published reference period of the statistics is 2021 to 2023.
Some of the questions concern the whole reference period, some only the last year of the reference period.
Data have previously been produced voluntarily in connection with EU-funded projects for the reference periods 2001 to 2006, 2009 to 2011, 2015 to 2017 and 2018 to 2020. The statistical research in the topic has developed along with the voluntary projects and the reference periods of the inquiries, sample sizes and questionnaires could change for each survey. The results for the reference periods 2015 to 2017 and 2018 to 2020 have been published as experimental statistics: Global value chains and international sourcing of activities
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The global value chains topic is connected to the statistics on international trade, as well as to the statistics on affiliates and on foreign direct investments. The data are compared as applicable with each other and data on the global value chains topic are produced partly utilising existing data on other topics.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal logical rules were applied to variables where it was possible.
Median of response time was 75 minutes, average was 106 minutes. 72% or respondents found the survey either easy or neutral to fill out. 28 % found it burdensome. It should be noted that the 2021-2023 survey included optional project questions besides the mandatory content
Statistics Finland took steps to reduce response burden by utilizing microdata linking to derive some variables. User testing was done before the survey to improve ease of filling out the form. The questionnaire was designed to include filters.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The GVC data is not normally revised due to new or additional information. Revisions may occur due to correcting errors found or after developing more advanced compilation and estimation methods.
18.1. Source data
Data production in the topic of global value chains is based on data obtained through data collection from enterprises and on utilisation of other data materials.
The population of the statistics covers all enterprises with at least 50 employees in the industries B to N (Standard Industrial Classification 2008). Data collection is directed to all enterprises employing at least 100 persons and a sample is formed from enterprises employing 50 to 99 persons. The framework is based on the data of the Business Register. The sampling is made as simple stratified random sampling. The strata of the sampling are industry, firm size and group relationship.
International trade data, enterprise group register and population register data were also used as sources.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The data are produced every three years.
18.3. Data collection
The data collection questionnaire is based on a template produced by Eurostat. The content of the national version of the template was developed in cooperation with Statistics Finland's employees in the questionnaire design and testing function. An electronic questionnaire has been used in data collection. In connection with the reference period 2021 to 2023, questionnaire testing was carried out, based on which it was made more user-friendly. The data collection typically includes at least two reminder rounds in addition to the actual survey. Reminder rounds can be carried out by mail, email or telephone. The overall response rate was 72%.
18.4. Data validation
The data collection data are checked in two ways. Internal coherence of a data collection response is checked in cases where it can be concluded that a certain response alternative is illogical compared to the respondent's other responses to the survey. The external coherence of the data collection responses is checked with regard to applicable questions relative to administrative data or other data collection materials insofar as there are data on the enterprise. The main problematic aspects can be checked during the implementation of the data collection. The results of the validations are also taken into account in the designing of the questionnaire for the following data collections.
18.5. Data compilation
The data are supplemented with additional data obtained with unit level checks directly to the data. Imputations are made by statistical methods based on the existing consistency data. As a rule, part of the statutory content of the statistics is produced based on existing data. Inflating the sample to the level of the population also takes into account non-response. The strata and inflating coefficients are based on size category, industry and group type.
18.6. Adjustment
Missing responses were adjusted as part of the weighting-up method. The information on international outsourcing was adjusted based on unit-level contacting after it was noticed that the respondents often misunderstood the concept. The ratio of correct and incorrect interpretations were used to weight the overall results.
No additional comments.
The statistics on global value chains describe enterprises' participation in global value chains. The global value chain consists of all border crossing activities that are required to bring a product or service from an idea through different production stages to the end user. One instance of enterprises' value and production chains is outsourcing of activities. The statistics describe which tasks enterprises operating in Finland are moving abroad, to which area and what reasons or obstacles are behind the outsourcing. The statistics also contain more extensive information on the activity of domestic enterprises on foreign markets and on the nature of the activity. The statutory data content has a changing share, within which data are collected from enterprises on topical matters in the reference period related to global value chains.
The GVC dataset contains ten variables defined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. These cover:
(1) employment by business function
(2-5) enterprises purchasing or supplying goods and services abroad
(6) the number of enterprises carrying out international sourcing
(7-8) jobs created and lost resulting from international sourcing
(9) motivations and barriers for sourcing, and
(10) events affecting GVC arrangements.
Besides the statutory data content a part of the statistical content has been developed and published with funding from the European Union.
26 November 2025
All concepts and definitions follow Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 and the GVC Compilers’ Manual. International sourcing refers to the partial or full movement of business functions abroad within or outside the enterprise group, during 2021-2023. Variables (2)-(5) apply only to enterprises exceeding the EUR 100 000 threshold for goods/services purchased or supplied abroad. Business functions are divided into core and support categories and specific functional areas (e.g. ICT, management and administration). Motivations and barriers follow the fixed lists provided in the regulation, and importance factors use the standard four-level scale (very important, moderately important, not important, not applicable/do not know).
The statistical unit of the statistics on global value chains is an enterprise (enterprise unit), as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics and the Business Register Regulation. An enterprise defined as a unit with decision-making autonomy, which produces goods and/or services to be sold on the market. An enterprise may be comprised of one or more legal units (Business ID). If an enterprise consists of several legal units, the enterprise unit data are formed based on Eurostat's guidelines.
The target population consists of all market-producing enterprises in NACE Sections B-N with at least 50 employees and self-employed persons in the final year of the reference period. Activity is determined based on enterprises' having turnover, other operating income, balance sheet, personnel or investments in the last year of the reference period. Sampling is based on the second year of the reference period apart from size class which is derived from the preliminary employment data of the final year of the reference period. The sample is restratified based on the information of the final year when compiling the published series.
The statistics on global value chains are published on the level of Finland, including the autonomous region of Åland.
The reference period for the GVC statistics is 2021-2023, in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. Variables cover activities that may have occurred during this three-year period. Variables (1)-(5) refer specifically to the final year of the period (2023). Variables (6)-(10) cover actions that took place at any time between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023.
Global value chains is a sample survey and the survey design always involves statistical uncertainty factors, the most important of which are measurement error and non-response.
All variables in the GVC dataset are transmitted in absolute values, in accordance with the measurement unit specified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. Compiled figures are not absolute due to the weighting method. The number of employees and self-employed persons are likewise not absolute numbers due to the concept of the variable. These figures are rounded to absolute numbers in the transmission datasets in accordance with the measurement unit specified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. The national publication presents the same information as the transmission datasets but in percentages or absolute numbers depending on the indicator.
The data are supplemented with additional data obtained with unit level checks directly to the data. Imputations are made by statistical methods based on the existing consistency data. As a rule, part of the statutory content of the statistics is produced based on existing data. Inflating the sample to the level of the population also takes into account non-response. The strata and inflating coefficients are based on size category, industry and group type.
Data production in the topic of global value chains is based on data obtained through data collection from enterprises and on utilisation of other data materials.
The population of the statistics covers all enterprises with at least 50 employees in the industries B to N (Standard Industrial Classification 2008). Data collection is directed to all enterprises employing at least 100 persons and a sample is formed from enterprises employing 50 to 99 persons. The framework is based on the data of the Business Register. The sampling is made as simple stratified random sampling. The strata of the sampling are industry, firm size and group relationship.
International trade data, enterprise group register and population register data were also used as sources.
The results of the GVC statistics are collected, compiled and transmitted triennally in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/91. National publication takes place shortly before the transmission of data and metadata to Eurostat.
At the end of the reference period:
The data are collected in approximately four months' time.
The data are published in 18 months' time.
The data are supplied to Eurostat at the latest 21 months from the end of the reference period.
The data production of the global value chains topic is based on Eurostat's guidelines and the concepts are comparable with the data of other European statistical offices. The production modes of the European statistical offices are regularly compared coordinated by Eurostat.
The first regulation-based reference period of the topic of global value chains as well as the first published reference period of the statistics is 2021 to 2023.
Some of the questions concern the whole reference period, some only the last year of the reference period.
Data have previously been produced voluntarily in connection with EU-funded projects for the reference periods 2001 to 2006, 2009 to 2011, 2015 to 2017 and 2018 to 2020. The statistical research in the topic has developed along with the voluntary projects and the reference periods of the inquiries, sample sizes and questionnaires could change for each survey. The results for the reference periods 2015 to 2017 and 2018 to 2020 have been published as experimental statistics: Global value chains and international sourcing of activities
