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.
FPS Economy, SMEs, self-employed and Energy , Direction générale Statistique - Statistics Belgium
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Direction Thématique Economie ( DTE )
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
North Gate III - Blv du roi Albert II 16 - 1000 Bruxelles
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Not applicable
2.1. Metadata last certified
6 March 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
6 March 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
6 March 2026
3.1. Data description
Data on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises are survey data. They are collected by the National Statistical Institutes or Ministries and are in principle based on Eurostat's annual model questionnaires on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises.
The legal basis for ICT enterprise statistics for survey year 2025 is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1883 of 9 July 2024 laying down the technical specifications of data requirements for the topic 'ICT usage and e-commerce' for the reference year 2025. Large part of the data collected is used to support measuring the implementation and monitoring of the EU’s digital targets for 2030, set by the Digital Decade Policy Programme.
Four of the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the current programme stem from the statistics for which the implementing and delegated acts are enclosed for adoption: Artificial Intelligence, cloud, data analytics and the digital intensity index (DII) - a composite indicator reflecting the digital transformation of business
The aim of the European survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises is to collect and disseminate harmonised and comparable information at European level.
Enquête utilisation des TIC dans les entreprises / Enquête gebruik van ICT bij onderneminhen / ENQUÊTE GEBRUIK VAN ICT BIJ ONDERNEMINGEN / Erhebung uber die nutzung von IKT in unternehmen / Survey on ICT usage in enterprises
All economic activities in the scope of Annex of the Commission Regulation are intended to be included in the general survey, covering enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed persons. These activities are:
Section C - “Manufacturing”
Section D, E - “Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply”, “Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities”
Section F - “Construction”
Section G - “Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles”
Section H - “Transportation and storage”
Section I - “Accommodation and food service activities”
Section J - “Information and communication”
Section L - “Real estate activities”
Section M - “Professional, scientific and technical activities”
Section N - "Administrative and support service activities"
Group 95.1 - “Repair of computers and communication equipment”.
For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts in the full metadata view.
3.3.1. Coverage-sector economic activity for micro-enterprises - All NACE Rev. 2 categories are covered
Yes
3.3.2. Coverage sector economic activity for micro-enterprises - If not all activities were covered, which ones were covered?
Not applicable
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The model questionnaire on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides a large variety of variables covering among others the following topics:
Access and use of the Internet
E-commerce sales
Data utilisation and analytics
Use of cloud computing services
Artificial intelligence
ICT and the environment.
The annual model questionnaires and the European businesses statistics compliers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises comprise definitions and explanations regarding the topics of the survey.
As required by Annex of the Commission Implementing Regulation, enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed persons are covered by the survey.
For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts below.
3.6.1. Coverage of micro-enterprises
Yes
3.6.2. Breakdown between size classes [0 to 1] and [2 to 9]
No
3.6.3. If for micro-enterprises different size delimitation was used, please indicate it.
2-9
3.7. Reference area
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“.
All country
3.8. Coverage - Time
Years 2024 and 2025.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable
Percentages of enterprises, Percentages of turnover, Percentages of employees and self-employed persons, Million euro (for selected indicators in some countries).
Where not specified the reference period is current situation (survey period in 2025). Year 2024 for the value or % of sales data and where specified.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Complementary national legislation constituting the legal basis for the survey on the use of ICT in enterprises:
No legal acts and other agreements at national level
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
No Institutional Mandate for data sharing.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
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.
At national level:
No general national privacy policy.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Data are transmitted via eDamis (encrypted) and delivered to a secure environment where they are treated. Flags are added for confidentiality in case results must not be disclosed.
At national level:
The data processing treatments do not pose any confidentiality issues.
8.1. Release calendar
Release calendar and accessibility of calendar = 01 January 2025.
Results for selected variables collected in the framework of this survey are available for all participating countries on Digital economy and society of Eurostat website.
At national level:
no data tables
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
no microdata access
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not requested
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The European businesses statistics compilers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides guidelines and clarifications for the implementation of the surveys.
The European businesses statistics compliers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides guidelines and standards for the implementation of the surveys. It is updated every year according to the changed contents of the model questionnaires.
The data collection service, in collaboration with the IT department, provides users with an application that enables them to detect and correct errors in order to ensure the highest possible quality of data at the source. A prefill system is also used to guarantee consistency with past data.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
At European level, the recommended use of the annual Eurostat model questionnaire aims at improving comparability of the results among the countries that conduct the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises. Moreover, the European businesses statistics compilers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides guidelines and clarifications for the implementation of the surveys.
At national level:
During the data collection phase, the data are monitored and companies are contacted when necessary. At the results stage, comparisons are made with previous years and across regions.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Consultation of the following organizations for the selection of optional questions :
Flemish Region
E3 - Direction générale de la Réglementation économique (SPF Economie )
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The users have evaluated positively the data quality on the ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises
12.3. Completeness
Detailed information is available in “ Annex I. Completeness “ - related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions, regional data.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Comments on reliability and representativeness of results and completeness of dataset
These comments reflect overall standard errors reported for the indicators and breakdowns in section 13.2.1 (Sampling error - indicators) and the rest of the breakdowns for national and European aggregates, as well as other accuracy measurements. The estimated standard error should not exceed 2pp for the overall proportions and should not exceed 5pp for the proportions related to the different subgroups of the population (for those NACE aggregates for the calculation and dissemination of national aggregates). If problems were found, these could have implications for future surveys (e.g. need to improve sampling design, to increase sample sizes, to increase the response rates).
Detailed information is available in “ Annex II. Accuracy “ - related to European aggregates, comments on reliability and use of flag.
13.2. Sampling error
For calculation of the standard error see concept 13.2.1.1.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Standard error (for selected indicators and breakdowns)
Precision measures related to variability due to sampling, unit non-response (the size of the subset of respondents is smaller than the size of the original sample) and other (imputation for item non-response, calibration etc.) are not (yet) required from the Member States for all indicators.
Detailed information is available in“ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ – worksheets starting with “Standard error".
13.2.1.1. Sampling error indicator calculation
Calculation of the standard error
Various methods can be used for the calculation of the standard error for an estimated proportion. The aim is to incorporate into the standard error the sampling variability but also variability due to unit non-response, item non-response (imputation), calibration etc. In case of census / take-all strata, the aim is to calculate the standard errors comprising the variability due to unit non-response and item non-response.
Name and brief description of the applied estimation approach: The estimation relies on the calibration method, which adjusts the sampling weights so that weighted estimates match known population totals, while correcting for potential biases such as non-response.
How has the stratification been taken into account? Re-weighting by the sampling design.
Which strata have been considered? nace rev.2 / size class of persons employed / NUTS 1-level ( three Belgian regions)
13.3. Non-sampling error
See detailed sections below.
13.3.1. Coverage error
See concept 18.1.1. A) Description of frame population.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not available
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested
13.3.2. Measurement error
No measurement errors detected
13.3.3. Non response error
See detailed sections below.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
See detailed sections below.
13.3.3.1.1. Unit response
The following table contains the number of units (i.e. enterprises), by type of response to the survey and by the percentage of these values in relation to the gross sample size.
Type of response
Enterprises
0-9 (or 2-9) employees and self-employed persons
10 or more employees and self-employed persons
Number
%
Number
%
Gross sample size (as in section 3.1 C)
2597
100%
4779
100%
1. Response (questionnaires returned by the enterprise)
940
37.74%
2756
57.67%
1.1 Used for tabulation and grossing up (Net sample or Final Sample; as in section 3.1 D)
963
37.08%
2717
56.85%
1.2 Not used for tabulation
17
0.65%
39
0.82%
1.2.1 Out of scope (deaths, misclassified originally in the target population, etc.)
17
0.65%
39
0.82%
1.2.2 Other reasons (e.g. unusable questionnaire)
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
2. Non-response (e.g. non returned mail, returned mail by post office)
1617
62.26%
2023
42.33%
Comments on unit response, if unit response is below 60%
As the survey is not mandatory, we undertake follow-up actions to maximize the response rate, including phone calls and direct contact with companies.
13.3.3.1.2. Methods used for minimizing unit non-response
We try to minimize unit non-response by sending reminder letters and contacting no-responding by phone.
Use of information available in the past and deducing the missing response from another response.
13.3.3.1.3. Methods used for unit non-response treatment
1. No treatment for unit non-response
2.1 Treatment by re-weighting: Re-weighting by the sampling design strata considering that non-response is ignorable inside each stratum (the naïve model)
x
2.2 Treatment by re-weighting: Re-weighting by identified response homogeneity groups (created using sample-level information)
2.3 Treatment by re-weighting: Re-weighting through calibration/post-stratification (performed using population information) by the groups used for calibration/post-stratification
x
3. Treatment by imputation (done distinctly for each variable/item)
x
4. Method(s) and the model(s) corresponding to the above or other method(s) used for the treatment of unit non-response. (e.g. Re-weighting using Horvitz-Thompson estimator, ratio estimator or regression estimator, auxiliary variables)
weight by the number of enterprises for results published by as a pecentage of the number of entreprises
weight by the number of persons employed for employment related issues
weight by the total turnover if the variable is percentage of turnover
13.3.3.1.4. Assessment of unit non-response bias
Not available
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not available
13.3.3.2.1. Methods used for item non-response treatment
1. No treatment for item non-response
2. Deductive imputation An exact value can be derived as a known function of other characteristics.
x
3. Deterministic imputation (e.g. mean/median, mean/median by class, ratio-based, regression-based, single donor nearest-neighbour) Deterministic imputation leads to estimators with no random component, that is, if the imputation were to be re-conducted, the outcome would be the same.
4. Random imputation (e.g. hot-deck, cold-deck) Random imputation leads to estimators with a random component, that is, if the imputation were re-conducted, it would have led to a different result.
5. Re-weighting
x
6. Multiple imputation In multiple imputation each missing value is replaced (instead of a single value) with a set of plausible values that represent the uncertainty of the right value to impute. Multiple imputation methods offer the possibility of deriving variance estimators by taking imputation into account. The incorporation of imputation into the variance can be easily derived based on variability of estimates among the multiply imputed data sets.
7. Method(s) and the model(s) corresponding to the above or other method(s) used for the treatment of item non-response.
13.3.3.2.2. Questions or items with item response rates below 90% and other comments
Other comments relating to the item non-response
Additional issues concerning "item non-response" calculation (e.g. method used in national publications): imputation and re-weighting are used.
Questions and items with low response rates (cut-off value is 90%) and item non-response rate: imputation and re-weighting are used.
13.3.4. Processing error
Correct the processing error by :
delete the respondent in case of total data incompatibility
complete the logical situations in the questionnaire
use the Eurostat program validation
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested
14.1. Timeliness
See detailed sections below.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Data are to be delivered to Eurostat in the fourth quarter of the reference year (due date for the finalised dataset is 5th October). European results are released before the end of the survey year or in the beginning of the year following the survey year (T=reference year, T+0 for indicators referring to the current year, T+12 months for other indicators referring to the previous year e.g. e-commerce).
At national level:
December of the reference year. T+0 for indicators referring to the current year, T+12 months for other indicators referring to the previous year.
14.2. Punctuality
See detailed section in the full metadata view.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Data were delivered to Eurostat on 3 october 2025; 2 days before the deadline.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The model questionnaire is generally used by the countries that conduct the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises. Due to (small) differences in translation, in the used survey vehicle, in non-response treatment or different routing through the questionnaire, some results for some countries may be of reduced comparability. In these cases, notes are added in the data.
Detailed information on differences in the wording of the questions in the national questionnaires is available in “ Annex I. Completeness “ - worksheets related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions.
Comparability between regions:
Not applicable
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“ – worksheets related to regional data.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable
15.2. Comparability - over time
See detailed section in the full metadata view.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The length of comparable time series depends on the module and the variable considered within each survey module. Additional information is available in annexes attached to the European metadata.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable
Restricted from publication
17.1. Data revision - policy
No national practice but by particular situation
17.2. Data revision - practice
No national practice but by particular situation
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not requested
18.1. Source data
A) Frame population description and distribution
For more information see concept 18.1.1.
B) Sampling design - Sampling method
Description of the sampling method used (e.g. stratified random sample, quota sampling, cluster sampling; one-stage or two-stage sampling) and information which variables were used to stratify, the categories of those variables, in particular for the NACE Rev. 2 categories related to the "possible calculation of European aggregates", and the final number of strata:
Stratified random sample : nace rev.2 / size class of persons employed / NUTS 1-level ( three Belgian regions)
C) Gross sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: GROSS SAMPLE)
D) Net sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: NET SAMPLE)
18.1.1. Sampling design & Procedure frame
A) Description of frame population
a) When was the sample for the ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprise survey drawn?
February 24, 2025
b) Last update of the Business register that was used for drawing the sample of enterprises for the survey:
February 4, 2025
c) Indication if the frame population is the same as, or is in some way coordinated with, the one used for the Structural Business Statistics (different snapshots):
negative coordination
d) Description if different frames are used during different stages of the statistical process (e.g. frame used for sampling vs. frame used for grossing up):
no difference
e) Indication the shortcomings in terms of timeliness (e.g. time lag between last update of the sampling frame and the moment of the actual sampling), geographical coverage, coverage of different subpopulations, data available etc., and any measures taken to correct it, for this survey.
no shortcomings
B) Frame population distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: FRAME POPULATION)
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3. Data collection
See detailed sections below.
18.3.1. Survey period
Survey / Collection
Date of sending out questionnaires
Date of reception of the last questionnaire treated
General survey
March 23, 2025
September 15, 2025
Micro-enterprises
March 23, 2025
September 15, 2025
18.3.2. Survey vehicle – general survey
General survey - Stand-alone survey
18.3.3. Survey vehicle – micro-enterprises
The collection of micro-enterprises was integrated with the general survey
18.3.4. Survey type
Web survey, telephone interview
18.3.5. Survey participation
Voluntary
18.4. Data validation
Data has been validated by server based EDIT validation and by the internal validation service.
18.5. Data compilation
Grossing-up procedures
Production of a 'RATE' table based on response rates by STRATE, NET sample division, and Population for the variables ENT, TURN, and EMP
unit_rate = Number of responding enterprises / Number of enterprises in the Population turn_rate = Sum of TURN of responding enterprises / Sum of TURN of enterprises in the Population emp_rate = Sum of employees of responding enterprises / Sum of employees of enterprises in the Population
General breakdowns: Production of a 'STRATE_GEN' table that summarizes the total number of responses by Strate.
Response(STRATE_GEN) / unit_rate(RATE) (or turn_rate OR emp_rate) = … grossed up ANSWER
Special Breakdowns:
A new table, 'STRATE_SPEC', is systematically produced after filtering responses upstream based on the criteria of the special breakdown.
The calculations remain the same as for the general breakdowns.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Imputation is based on previously available information or by deducing the missing response from another response.
the rate is not available.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable
Problems encountered and lessons to be learnt:
no comment.
19.1. Documents
Questionnaire in national language
x
Questionnaire in English (if available)
National reports on methodology (if available)
Analysis of key results, backed up by tables and graphs in English (if available)
Data on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises are survey data. They are collected by the National Statistical Institutes or Ministries and are in principle based on Eurostat's annual model questionnaires on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises.
The legal basis for ICT enterprise statistics for survey year 2025 is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1883 of 9 July 2024 laying down the technical specifications of data requirements for the topic 'ICT usage and e-commerce' for the reference year 2025. Large part of the data collected is used to support measuring the implementation and monitoring of the EU’s digital targets for 2030, set by the Digital Decade Policy Programme.
Four of the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the current programme stem from the statistics for which the implementing and delegated acts are enclosed for adoption: Artificial Intelligence, cloud, data analytics and the digital intensity index (DII) - a composite indicator reflecting the digital transformation of business
The aim of the European survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises is to collect and disseminate harmonised and comparable information at European level.
Enquête utilisation des TIC dans les entreprises / Enquête gebruik van ICT bij onderneminhen / ENQUÊTE GEBRUIK VAN ICT BIJ ONDERNEMINGEN / Erhebung uber die nutzung von IKT in unternehmen / Survey on ICT usage in enterprises
6 March 2026
The model questionnaire on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides a large variety of variables covering among others the following topics:
Access and use of the Internet
E-commerce sales
Data utilisation and analytics
Use of cloud computing services
Artificial intelligence
ICT and the environment.
The annual model questionnaires and the European businesses statistics compliers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises comprise definitions and explanations regarding the topics of the survey.
As required by Annex of the Commission Implementing Regulation, enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed persons are covered by the survey.
For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts below.
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“.
All country
Where not specified the reference period is current situation (survey period in 2025). Year 2024 for the value or % of sales data and where specified.
Comments on reliability and representativeness of results and completeness of dataset
These comments reflect overall standard errors reported for the indicators and breakdowns in section 13.2.1 (Sampling error - indicators) and the rest of the breakdowns for national and European aggregates, as well as other accuracy measurements. The estimated standard error should not exceed 2pp for the overall proportions and should not exceed 5pp for the proportions related to the different subgroups of the population (for those NACE aggregates for the calculation and dissemination of national aggregates). If problems were found, these could have implications for future surveys (e.g. need to improve sampling design, to increase sample sizes, to increase the response rates).
Detailed information is available in “ Annex II. Accuracy “ - related to European aggregates, comments on reliability and use of flag.
Percentages of enterprises, Percentages of turnover, Percentages of employees and self-employed persons, Million euro (for selected indicators in some countries).
Grossing-up procedures
Production of a 'RATE' table based on response rates by STRATE, NET sample division, and Population for the variables ENT, TURN, and EMP
unit_rate = Number of responding enterprises / Number of enterprises in the Population turn_rate = Sum of TURN of responding enterprises / Sum of TURN of enterprises in the Population emp_rate = Sum of employees of responding enterprises / Sum of employees of enterprises in the Population
General breakdowns: Production of a 'STRATE_GEN' table that summarizes the total number of responses by Strate.
Response(STRATE_GEN) / unit_rate(RATE) (or turn_rate OR emp_rate) = … grossed up ANSWER
Special Breakdowns:
A new table, 'STRATE_SPEC', is systematically produced after filtering responses upstream based on the criteria of the special breakdown.
The calculations remain the same as for the general breakdowns.
A) Frame population description and distribution
For more information see concept 18.1.1.
B) Sampling design - Sampling method
Description of the sampling method used (e.g. stratified random sample, quota sampling, cluster sampling; one-stage or two-stage sampling) and information which variables were used to stratify, the categories of those variables, in particular for the NACE Rev. 2 categories related to the "possible calculation of European aggregates", and the final number of strata:
Stratified random sample : nace rev.2 / size class of persons employed / NUTS 1-level ( three Belgian regions)
C) Gross sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: GROSS SAMPLE)
D) Net sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: NET SAMPLE)
Annual
See detailed sections below.
The model questionnaire is generally used by the countries that conduct the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises. Due to (small) differences in translation, in the used survey vehicle, in non-response treatment or different routing through the questionnaire, some results for some countries may be of reduced comparability. In these cases, notes are added in the data.
Detailed information on differences in the wording of the questions in the national questionnaires is available in “ Annex I. Completeness “ - worksheets related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions.
Comparability between regions:
Not applicable
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“ – worksheets related to regional data.
