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.
Population, Employment & Cost of Living Statistics Division
Labour Statistics Section
1.3. Contact name
Restricted from publication
1.4. Contact person function
Restricted from publication
1.5. Contact mail address
46, Pireos & Eponiton Str. 18510 - Piraeus
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication
1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication
1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication
2.1. Data description
The survey for the compilation of the Labour Cost Indices is part of the European Labour Market Statistics and measures the impact of “labour” on costs. The data covered by the survey refer to the total average hourly labour costs, the average hourly remuneration (wages and salaries) and the average hourly cost of employers’ social contributions. The above indices are compiled by one-digit codes for sections B-F, G-J, G-N, K-N, O-S, P-S, B-E, B-N and B-S of economic activities of Nace Rev.2. In addition, the indices are compiled without seasonal adjustment, with seasonal adjustment and with working-days adjustment.
The index is a Laspeyres quarterly index with base year 2020.
The indices for the years 2000-2004 were produced on the basis of National Accounts data, while from 2005 onwards the indices are compiled on the basis of the Survey on Labour Cost Indices.
2.2. Classification system
Economic activity
All sections B-S of economic activities of Nace Rev.2 are covered.
More specifically:
For the years 2000-2008 the indices were compiled in accordance with Nace Rev.1.1.
From 2009 onwards, the survey conducted is in line with Nace Rev.2.
In 2009, the indices of the years 2000-2008 were revised according to Nace Rev.2
Geographical coverage
Greece total.
2.3. Coverage - sector
The indices for the years 2000-2008 were compiled in accordance with Nace Rev.1.1 and covered the sections C-K. They were compiled by one-digit code of economic activity and by the following groups of sections: C-E, C-K, G-I, G-K, J-K.
From 2009 onwards the indices are compiled in accordance with Nace Rev.2 and cover sections B-S. They are produced by one-digit code of sections of economic activities and by the following groups of sections: B-F, G-J, G-N, K-N, O-S, P-S, B-E, B-N and B-S.
In 2009, the indices of the years 2000-2008 were revised according to Nace Rev.2
Therefore, there are two different timeseries:
Indices for the years 2000-2008, compiled in accordance with Nace Rev.1.1
Indices from 2009 onwards, compiled is in line with Nace Rev.2.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The concepts and definitions of the basic variables used for the compilation of the Labour Cost Indices are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) 1737/2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 1726/1999 as regards the definition and transmission of information on labour costs.
In the framework of the LCI, total labour costs mean the total expenditure borne by employers in order to employ staff. Labour costs include compensation of employees with wages and salaries in cash or in kind and employers' social contributions and any taxes relating to employment regarded as labour costs. They do not include any subsidies received by the employer. In addition, any expenditure borne by the employer for vocational training, recruitment costs and any expenditure on working clothes provided by the employer are not included.
Employees are all the employed persons who work and receive remuneration in the form of wages or salaries and have a direct employment contract with the enterprise and are remunerated on the basis of the number of hours worked (full-time or part-time) and the duration of the contract (fixed or indefinite). The following are not included:
management personnel whose remuneration wholly takes the form of a share in profits, unpaid family workers, sales representatives who are not included in the payroll, that is they are self-employed.
Gross wages and salaries: the total remuneration in cash or in kind payable by an employer to employees (all the persons included in the payroll, including those working from their home) in return for work during the economic year, calculated on the basis of time worked, output or piecework and irrespective the fact they are paid on a regular basis or not. Gross wages and salaries include basic and regular remuneration and additional payments for overtime, night work, working on Sundays and public holidays and shift work, as well as social contributions paid by the employees (even if they are withheld and paid by the employer to the SSF) and all benefits and allowances (maternity leave, children benefits, workplace bonuses for noise, risk, difficult work, shift or continuous work, night work) Christmas and Easter bonuses, individual performance bonuses, bonuses for output/productivity, severance payments commissions and tips.
Total hours actually worked: represent the sum of all periods spent on direct and ancillary activities to produce goods and services during the reference quarter. This variable includes hours of work during the regular working hours, hours of overtime work, hours of night work and work on Sundays and holidays. In addition, time spent at the place of work during which no work is done owing to, for example, machine stoppages, and accidents. Total hours actually worked does not include hours paid but not worked, for example: paid holidays/vacation, public holidays, absence due to sickness, maternity leave, etc.
Employer’s social contributions: are the total of the social security contributions paid by the employer, including actual and statutory contributions, collectively-agreed contractual, voluntary and imputed social security contributions paid by the employer.
Subsidies received by the employer: These are all amounts received in the form of subsidies of a general nature intended to refund part or all of the cost of direct remuneration but not intended to cover social-security or vocational-training costs. They do not include refunds paid to the employer by social-security institutions or supplementary insurance funds.
Vocational training costs paid by theemployer (excluded from total costs):
These include: expenditure on vocational-training services and facilities (also those for apprentices but not their wages and salaries), small repairs and maintenance of buildings and installations, excluding staff costs; expenditure on participation in courses; the fees of instructors from outside the enterprise; expenditure on teaching aids and tools used for training; sums paid by the enterprise to vocational-training organisations, etc. Subsidies linked to vocational training should be deducted.
Other expenditure paid by the employer: recruitment costs (these are the sums paid to recruitment agencies), expenditure on job advertisements in the press, travel expenses paid to candidates called for interview, installation allowances paid to newly recruited staff, etc. This does not include administrative running costs (office expenses, staff wages, etc.).
Industry of the enterprise (branch of economic activity). Due to the fact that an enterprise may belong to more than one industry, it is classified on the basis of employment, that is the industry in which the biggest share of its employees is employed.
Quarterly Index of total Labour Costs (LCI_Total): it reflects the short-term trend of the average hourly labour costs. It is defined as the quotient of the (total) labor costs during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
Apart from the total LCI, the following indices for the other components of labour costs are also compiled:
Quarterly Index of wages and salaries (LCI_Wages): it reflects the short-term trend of the average wages-salaries. It is defined as the quotient of the total remuneration in cash and in kind payable to employees (gross wages and salaries) during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
Quarterly Index of employer’s social contributions(LCI_Other): it reflects the short-term trend of the average social contributions of the employers. It is defined as the quotient of the total employer’s social contributions (labour costs less wages and salaries) during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
Quarterly Index of total labour costs excluding bonuses and benefits(LCI_TXB): it reflects the short-term trend of the average hourly labour costs excluding bonuses and benefits. It is defined as the quotient of the labour costs (excluding bonuses and benefits) during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
All the above indices are a Laspeyres quarterly Index with base year 2020. For each Section of Nace Rev.2, each variable (hourly labour cost, hourly wage,etc.) is calculated as the ratio of the hourly variable of each reference quarter to the annual average hourly variable of the base year 2020.
For the calculation of the quarterly aggregate Labour Cost Index (LCI) of a group of Sections B-F, G-J, G-N, K-N, O-S, P-S, B-E, B-N and B-S, the LCI of each section is weighted on the basis of the contribution of the annual labour cost of employees of this section in the previous year to the total labour cost of employees of all sections of the group in the above year.
2.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the enterprise employing at least 5 employees and belongs to sections B-S of Nace Rev.2.
2.6. Statistical population
The statistical population is the total of the enterprises employing at least 5 employees and belong to sections B-S of Nace Rev.2.
2.7. Reference area
Greece, total.
2.8. Coverage - Time
The data are available from the 1st quarter 2000 until the 4th quarter 2008 according to Nace Rev.1.1 and from the 1st quarter 2000 onwards according to Nace Rev.2.
2.9. Base period
The year 2020.
3.1. Source data
The Labour Cost Indices are compiled on the basis of a sample drawn from the business register of ELSTAT.
More specifically, for every two-digit code of economic activity a number of enterprises is selected for every one of the following size classes:
Size classes
Annual average employment
1
5-9 persons
2
10-19 persons
3
20-49 persons
4
50-99 persons
5
100-249 persons
6
250-499 persons
7
500-999 persons
8
1,000+ persons
Therefore, all the strata deriving from the combinations of the 2-digit code of economic activity with the size classes are covered.
From 2005, when the survey was first conducted, until 2008 the survey was conducted on a sample of 1,533 enterprises and was designed in accordance with Nace Rev.1.1.
In 2009 the sample was redesigned in order to implement the new Nace Rev.2 and the survey was conducted on a sample of 2,139 enterprises until the 2nd quarter 2013. From the 3rd quarter 2013 until the 4th quarter 2015, the survey was redesigned and it is conducted on a sample of 3,642 enterprises/services.
From the 1st quarter 2016 the survey was conducted on a sample of 4,308 enterprises and from 1st quarter 2018 on a sample of 5,282 enterprises.
From 1st quarter 2023, the sample was redesigned, the new enriched sample amounts to 8,500 enterprises. The sample size of the enterprises was defined in order the relevant standard error (co-efficient of variation CV) to meet the precision targets for the LCI.
3.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected on a quarterly basis.
3.3. Data collection
Since the 3rd quarter 2023 the survey is conducted via web questionnaire (CAWI).
The data are collected through a specially designed questionnaire provided to the respondent with a link.
The enterprise receives an email informing it of the purpose of the survey, the legal framework and the deadline for submitting the questionnaire.
External survey workers (statistical interviewers) provide telephone support and contact enterprises to remind them of their obligation to complete the questionnaire.
In cases where the enterprise refuses to cooperate with the statistical interviewers, or refuses to respond, delays or in case there are particularities, an employee form the Labour Section of ELSTAT calls to the enterprise and provide clarifications.
In some cases (due to lack of time) the questionnaire may be delivered in printed format (pdf) and collected by e-mail.
Non-response is addressed through telephone contact with the enterprise and reminders sent by e-mail.
3.4. Data validation
The data are validated by means of a series of logical checks. During data processing, the data are checked in order to identify and duly correct any errors. For every enterprise the data are cross-checked with the data of the previous quarter and with the data of the corresponding quarter of the previous year. In addition, the indices are checked by employment stratum and by 2-digit branch of economic activity. In case big differences are observed, all the enterprises belonging in the same stratum are investigated. Once identified, the errors are further investigated in cooperation with the enterprise in order to confirm that it is an error or it is just about an unusual value.
3.5. Data compilation
The variables of labour cost are measured in euro.
The Labour Cost Indices are compiled by section of economic activity and by group of sections. For the calculation of the quarterly aggregate LCI, of a group of Sections, the LCI of each Section is weighted based on the contribution of the annual labour cost of employees of this Section in the previous year, to the total labour cost of employees of all Sections in the group, in the above year. The same principle applies for the other types of labour cost (Wages and
Salaries, Employer’s Social Contributions and TXB). For the estimations of weights (in million euros) for each section the most recent yearly data from National Accounts and Labour Cost survey (LCS) were used.
3.6. Adjustment
All the Labour Cost Indices are working-day adjusted (WDA) both at one-digit level of sections of economic activity and at the level of groups of sections.
4.1. Quality assurance
Correctness and completeness checks, as well as quality checks are carried out during the whole process of the compilation of the indices: from the data collection stage to the final compilation of the indices.
First of all, well-trained and experienced staff is utilized for all the stages of the compilation of the indices, namely for data collection- including communication with the enterprise- initial checks, checks for outliers and final checks concerning the longitudinal characteristics of every enterprise.
Data are validated either before or after data entry by means of logical checks. During data processing the data are checked in order to identify and correct any errors. When an error is identified, the data are further investigated, in cooperation with the enterprises in order to confirm that it is an error or it is just an unusual value. At the same time, data are checked for completeness, accuracy and consistency of the correlating variables.
The use of web questionnaire (CAWI) accelerates the production of the survey results and enhances the quality of the data, since logical checks are conducted during the filling in of the questionnaires by the respondents.
ELSTAT is also exploring the possibility to collect the relevant data from administrative sources (agencies of the National Insurance Institute- EFKA), thus, increasing the size of the sample and at the same time reducing the administrative burden of enterprises.
The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) aims to ensure and further improve the quality of statistics produced and maintain the confidence of users in them. This is achieved through the Quality Policy and Quality Guidelines of ELSTAT, which are posted on the website of ELSTAT and are available at the following links:
The Labour Cost Indices are reliable, they are transmitted to Eurostat on a quarterly basis, where they are assessed and validated.
5.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of the Labour Cost Indices are international organizations (Eurostat, OECD, European Central Bank, IMF), as well as many national authorities, services and institutions (government Ministries, banks, universities, research institutes, etc.). Furthermore, among the users are the press, researchers and the general public. Moreover, the enterprises that have the obligation to fill in the questionnaire are at the same time users of these data. They request relevant data in order to draw their remuneration policy, estimate the costs of contractual agreements and study competitiveness in the branch of economic activity where they belong.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User Satisfaction Survey
ELSTAT conducts a user satisfaction survey every semester. The results of this survey are published in the Library’s Newsletter (published in Greek and English) which is issued by the Library and the Section of Statistical Dissemination of ELSTAT, drawing information from the user’s questionnaire. This publication presents data on the number of users in relation with other variables, such response rate to users’ requests, the kind of requested data, as well as the dissemination mode of statistical information. These characteristics are tabulated and are presented in absolute values and percentages.
Users Conference
Pursuant to its annual statistical work programme, ELSTAT has been conducting since 2010, on a yearly basis,the Users Conference with the participation of representatives of the public and private sector, academics and research institutes.
The Users Conferences offer ELSTAT the opportunity to gather comments and proposals made by users of statistics pertaining to the dissemination of statistical information, access to statistical data and any shortcomings in the produced statistics.
The Users Conferences help ELSTAT to draw useful conclusions on the areas of statistical production that need to be improved in order to better fulfill the changing needs of users. Such conclusions are integrated in the annual and short-tem statistical programmes of ELSTAT.
More information on a) the results of the User Satisfaction Survey and b) on the Users Conferences are available on the portal of ELSTAT, the following website: User-conference.
5.3. Completeness
The survey on the Labour Cost Indices covers all the variables set out in the relevant EU Regulations.
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%.
6.1. Accuracy - overall
The errors that have an impact on the accuracy of the indices are:
sampling errors and;
non-sampling errors.
Sampling errors are due to the fact that the survey is not conducted on all the enterprises of the target population but on a sample of these enterprises.
The sample size ensures high accuracy estimations as regards both the general indices and the indices for the groups of sections of economic activities at the level of Greece total.
Non-sampling errors mostly refer to measurement errors and non-response errors, on account of non-response of the sample enterprises.
Any measurement errors during data collection are identified by means of quality checks and are duly corrected.
As regards non-response errors, all efforts are made for contacting the enterprises that have not responded by phone or by other means of communication,
in order to persuade them to cooperate and give the necessary information.
6.2. Sampling error
The survey on the Labour Cost Indices is a sample survey and therefore sampling errors are observed in the estimations of the general indices and the indices for the groups of sections of economic activities.
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
The CV of quarterly change for Nace Rev.2: B-S, Year: 2023 are:
Coverage errors: errors due to divergences existing between the target population and the sampling frame.
Measurement errors: errors that occur at the time of data collection. There are a number of sources for these errors such as the survey instrument of collection, the information system.
Processing errors: errors in post-data-collection processes such as data entry, keying, editing and weighting.
Non-response errors: errors due to an unsuccessful attempt to obtain the desired information from an eligible unit.
6.3.1. Coverage error
The survey covers the enterprises employing more than 5 employees.
During the time between the drawing of the sample and the conduct of the survey some sampling units (enterprise) changed the designing of the strata after data collection.
These units were allocated to new strata (employment size classes, branch of economic activity) maintaining their initial probability of selection.
This fact changed the initial variation of data, the initial allocation of the sample enterprises, thus inflating the variation of estimations.
Therefore, the coefficient of variation of the produced statistics was higher than the coefficient of variation which had been calculated on the basis of the sample design.
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Some enterprises, that had been included in the sample, had been selected in the sample and yet they did not exist during the survey conduct
(closed enterprises, enterprises out of scope, e.g., enterprises employing less than 5 employees). These enterprises reduced the initial size of the sample.
In addition, some enterprises, even though they satisfied the inclusion criteria, were not included in the sample because they started operating in a later stage.
This resulted in under coverage and underestimation of the produced statistics.
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
The indices are compiled on the basis of a common sample of enterprises used for every quarter and which is, normally, renewed with the change of the base year. Therefore, the proportion of common enterprises of the sample between the quarters is 100%. In addition, in order to estimate the indices for the first quarter of the base year, the survey was also conducted on the enterprises of the new sample for the fourth quarter of the previous year. Consequently, the proportion of the common units of the sample between two successive quarters amounts to 100%. The only exception in the renewal practice, is for the year 2013 when the 3rd and 4th quarters were based on a new sample which was used until the 4th quarter of 2015 for the compilation of the indices. It should be noticed that the main reason for renewing the sample was to improve data quality, because in the previous sample the share of closed, non-operating or out-of-scope enterprises increased and as a result the actual number of surveyed enterprises decreased. Finally, it should also be noted that several enterprises changed stratum on account of the decrease in the number of their employees.
6.3.2. Measurement error
The structure and the size of the questionnaire make it friendly to respondents. The questions are clearly stated using the appropriate language and terminology,
furthermore, the compiled guidelines cover analytically all the survey variables.
All the above ensure the fact that the collected questionnaires are complete and correctly filled in, thus eliminating any measurement errors.
Any measurement errors which make take place during data collection, are identified by means of quality checks and are duly corrected.
6.3.3. Non response error
Non-response of the enterprises is addressed by sending reminder letters via e-mail or by calling the enterprises.
Response rate as regards employment size classes and the total population was quite satisfactory.
In the census strata, where all the population units had been included in the sample, unit response was sometimes quite high, but not 100% for all the combinations of sections and size classes,
on account of non-response of some enterprises.
Consequently, some census strata became sampling strata, thus increasing sampling error for the survey characteristics.
In order to address non-response, imputation was used since the compilation of indices necessitates data from consecutive quarters.
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Table: LCI2023 Unit non-response rate
Number of enterprises in the sampling frame
Number of ineligible enterprises*
Number of eligible enterprises
Actual number of responding enterprises
Unit non-response rate
2023Q1
8.500
427
8.073
2.379
70,5%
2023Q2
8.500
396
8.104
2.042
74,8%
2023Q3
8.500
466
8.034
1.754
78,2%
2023Q4
8.500
570
7.930
2.157
72,8%
* Ineligible (out-of-scope) e.g. selected enterprise is not in the target population (without employees),
Other ineligible e.g. no enterprise exists at the selected address or selected enterprise disappeared between the reference information from the sampling frame and the moment of the interview.
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not available.
6.3.4. Processing error
Once collected, the data are processed in order to compile the indices.
More specifically, the following statistical actions take place: codification, logical checks, data entry and comparison with other sources of statistical information.
After the completion of all the final checks in order to identify any non-sampling errors, the following actions take place:
The data are compared with the data of the corresponding quarter of the previous year
Quality checks on the collected data in order to identify any outliers. Any outliers and errors are identified and are duly corrected.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate
Given the fact that the compilation of indices necessitates enterprises data from subsequent quarters, imputation was used to address non-response of some enterprises.
The share of enterprises whose values were imputed amounts approximately to 21,1% for the year 2023.
6.3.5. Model assumption error
No model is used for the compilation of the indices.
6.4. Seasonal adjustment
All the Labour Cost Indices are seasonally adjusted (SA) both at one-digit level of sections of economic activity and at the level of groups of sections. The +JDEMETRA software is used.
The data are not subject to revisions after their publication, since they are final and are not based on estimates. Only the data on the Index of Wages and Salaries are subject to revision (not on a permanent basis)
which is published in the relevant Press Release where, sometimes, there are estimates for a small share of enterprises that have not responded in time.
Every four years all the indices are revised as regards their base year, after the completion of the Labour Cost Survey. In 2023 the indices are revised with base year the year 2020
(reference year of the latest Labour Cost Survey).
At the same time as the revision of the base year, the methodology for calculating the indicators was revised in order to achieve full harmonization with Regulation.
So far, each index reflected the growth rate of the current quarter in comparison with the pervious quarter.
From 2015 onwards, the following method was applied:
For each Section of NACE Rev.2, each variable (hourly labour cost, hourly wage,etc.) is calculated as the ratio of the hourly variable of each reference quarter to the annual average hourly variable of the base year 2020.
For the calculation of the quarterly aggregate Labour Cost Index (LCI) of a group of Sections B-F, G-J, G-N, K-N, O-S, P-S, B-E, B-N and B-S,
the LCI of each Section is weighted on the basis of the contribution of the annual labour cost of employees of this section in the previous year to the total labour cost of employees of all sections of the group in the above year.
Also, from the 1st quarter of 2013 and thereafter the severance payments are not included in the gross earnings
More information on the revision policy implemented by ELSTAT is available at the following website: Statistics policies.
6.6. Data revision - practice
In case that the Index of Wages and Salaries is revised, users are duly informed through the relevant Press Release. In 2009, the indices for the years 2000- 2008 were revised with base year the year 2008.
and were compiled in accordance with Nace Rev.2. In 2019, the indices for the years 2000- 2019 were revised with base year 2016.
In 2023, the indices for the years 2000- 2023 were revised with base year 2020.
6.6.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
7.1. Timeliness
The Labour Cost Indices are available 70 days after the end of the corresponding reference period.
7.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not available.
7.1.2. Time lag - final result
The results of the survey are transmitted on time except 2023Q1 (48-days delay).
Quarter
Transmission Date to Eurostat
2023Q1
27 July 2023 (Deadline: 09 June 2023)
2023Q2
08 September 2023 (Deadline: 08 September 2023)
2023Q3
08 December 2023 (Deadline: 09 December 2023)
2023Q4
08 March 2024 (Deadiline: 10 March 2024)
7.2. Punctuality
The Press Release on the quarterly results of the Index of wages and salaries was published in line with the release dates stipulated in the Press Releases Calendar of ELSTAT.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
8.1. Comparability - geographical
The collected survey variables are fully in line with the relevant definitions laid down in Regulation (EC) 450/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council, thus ensuring comparability of statistics among Member States.
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time
The Labour Cost Indices are comparable over time. There are available data from the 1st quarter 2000 until the 4th quarter 2008 (according to Nace Rev.1.1) and from the 1st quarter 2000 onwards (according to Nace Rev.2).
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
8.3. Coherence - cross domain
The data are compared with the data of the labour cost survey and the survey on structural statistics on earnings and on labour costs. Moreover, the data on the number of employees and the hours worked are compared with the corresponding data from the Labour Force Survey. In addition, the data are also compared by Eurostat with the corresponding data from Structural Business Statistics (SBS).
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
The data are compared with the data of the Survey on Labour Cost and the survey on structural statistics on earnings and on labour costs, which are conducted every 4 years. In addition, the data on the number of employees are compared with the corresponding data from the Labour Force Survey on a quarterly basis.
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts
The data are compared with National Accounts by ELSTAT and Eurostat.
8.6. Coherence - internal
All data are checked for internal coherence by ELSTAT and Eurostat.
9.1. Dissemination format - News release
Quarterly results of the Index of Wages Cost.
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications
There are no publications.
9.3. Dissemination format - online database
There is no online database for the results of the Labour Cost Indices 2023.
9.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available.
9.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Microdata, if not confidential, are made available to users after their submitting a request to the:
Division of Statistical Information and Publications
For confidential reasons, users can have access to micro-data, only under a confidentiality contract and with respect to the valid process.
9.5. Dissemination format - other
Tabulated data on the Labour Const Index concerning the years 2000 onwards are made available through the digital library of ELSTAT, at the following website: (DLIB Statistics - ESYE).
9.6. Documentation on methodology
The methodology concerning the compilation of the indices is laid down in Regulation (EC) No 450/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
From the 2nd quarter 2013 onwards the survey is conducted on a sample of enterprises and services (amounting to 3,642) and covers sections B-S of Nace Rev.2.
From the 1st quarter 2016 the survey was conducted on a sample of 4,308 enterprises.
From 1st quarter 2018, the survey was conducted on a sample of 5,282 enterprises.
From 1st quarter 2023, the sample was redesigned, the new enriched sample amounts to 8,500 enterprises.
9.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not available.
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations
Not available.
The questionnaire which is used for the survey on Labour Cost Indices is a joint questionnaire also used for the Jobs Vacancy Survey and the survey on Short-Term Statistics. Therefore, the administrative burden of respondents is significantly reduced, since many of the questions are common for the three abovementioned surveys.
The total time needed for the completion of the questionnaire ranges from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the enterprise.
Efforts are made to collect the required data from administrative sources (National Insurance Foundation –EFKA), in order to reduce the administrative burden of the enterprises.
11.1. Confidentiality - policy
The issues concerning the observance of statistical confidentiality by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) are arranged by articles 7, 8 and 9 of the Law 3832/2010 as in force, by Articles 8, 10 and 11(2) of the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System and by Articles 10 and 15 of the Regulation on the Operation and Administration of ELSTAT.
More precisely, ELSTAT disseminates the statistics in compliance with the statistical principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice and in particular with the principle of statistical confidentiality.
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
ELSTAT protects and does not disseminate data it has obtained or it has access to, which enable the direct or indirect identification of the statistical units that have provided them by the disclosure of individual information directly received for statistical purposes or indirectly supplied from administrative or other sources. ELSTAT takes all appropriate preventive measures so as to render impossible the identification of individual statistical units by technical or other means that might reasonably be used by a third party. Statistical data that could potentially enable the identification of the statistical unit are disseminated by ELSTAT if and only if:
these data have been treated, as it is specifically set out in the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System (ELSS), in such a way that their dissemination does not prejudice statistical confidentiality or
the statistical unit has given its consent, without any reservations, for the disclosure of data.
The confidential data that are transmitted by ELSS agencies to ELSTAT are used exclusively for statistical purposes and the only persons who have the right to have access to these data are the personnel engaged in this task and appointed by an act of the President of ELSTAT.
ELSTAT may grant researchers conducting statistical analyses for scientific purposes access to data that enable the indirect identification of the statistical units concerned. The access is granted provided the following conditions are satisfied:
an appropriate request together with a detailed research proposal in conformity with current scientific standards have been submitted;
the research proposal indicates in sufficient detail the set of data to be accessed, the methods of analyzing them, and the time needed for the research;
a contract specifying the conditions for access, the obligations of the researchers, the measures for respecting the confidentiality of statistical data and the sanctions in case of breach of these obligations has been signed by the individual researcher, by his/her institution, or by the organization commissioning the research, as the case may be, and by ELSTAT.
Issues referring to the observance of statistical confidentiality are examined by the Statistical Confidentiality Committee (SCC) operating in ELSTAT. The responsibilities of this Committee are to make recommendations to the President of ELSTAT on:
the level of detail at which statistical data can be disseminated, so as the identification, either directly or indirectly, of the surveyed statistical unit is not possible;
the anonymization criteria for the microdata provided to users;
the granting to researchers access to confidential data for scientific purposes.
More specifically, as regards the dissemination of LCI data, the rules for ensuring non-authorized notification are implemented at the following levels:
Greece total;
One-digit code of Nace Rev.2.
No comments.
The survey for the compilation of the Labour Cost Indices is part of the European Labour Market Statistics and measures the impact of “labour” on costs. The data covered by the survey refer to the total average hourly labour costs, the average hourly remuneration (wages and salaries) and the average hourly cost of employers’ social contributions. The above indices are compiled by one-digit codes for sections B-F, G-J, G-N, K-N, O-S, P-S, B-E, B-N and B-S of economic activities of Nace Rev.2. In addition, the indices are compiled without seasonal adjustment, with seasonal adjustment and with working-days adjustment.
The index is a Laspeyres quarterly index with base year 2020.
The indices for the years 2000-2004 were produced on the basis of National Accounts data, while from 2005 onwards the indices are compiled on the basis of the Survey on Labour Cost Indices.
Not Applicable
The concepts and definitions of the basic variables used for the compilation of the Labour Cost Indices are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) 1737/2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 1726/1999 as regards the definition and transmission of information on labour costs.
In the framework of the LCI, total labour costs mean the total expenditure borne by employers in order to employ staff. Labour costs include compensation of employees with wages and salaries in cash or in kind and employers' social contributions and any taxes relating to employment regarded as labour costs. They do not include any subsidies received by the employer. In addition, any expenditure borne by the employer for vocational training, recruitment costs and any expenditure on working clothes provided by the employer are not included.
Employees are all the employed persons who work and receive remuneration in the form of wages or salaries and have a direct employment contract with the enterprise and are remunerated on the basis of the number of hours worked (full-time or part-time) and the duration of the contract (fixed or indefinite). The following are not included:
management personnel whose remuneration wholly takes the form of a share in profits, unpaid family workers, sales representatives who are not included in the payroll, that is they are self-employed.
Gross wages and salaries: the total remuneration in cash or in kind payable by an employer to employees (all the persons included in the payroll, including those working from their home) in return for work during the economic year, calculated on the basis of time worked, output or piecework and irrespective the fact they are paid on a regular basis or not. Gross wages and salaries include basic and regular remuneration and additional payments for overtime, night work, working on Sundays and public holidays and shift work, as well as social contributions paid by the employees (even if they are withheld and paid by the employer to the SSF) and all benefits and allowances (maternity leave, children benefits, workplace bonuses for noise, risk, difficult work, shift or continuous work, night work) Christmas and Easter bonuses, individual performance bonuses, bonuses for output/productivity, severance payments commissions and tips.
Total hours actually worked: represent the sum of all periods spent on direct and ancillary activities to produce goods and services during the reference quarter. This variable includes hours of work during the regular working hours, hours of overtime work, hours of night work and work on Sundays and holidays. In addition, time spent at the place of work during which no work is done owing to, for example, machine stoppages, and accidents. Total hours actually worked does not include hours paid but not worked, for example: paid holidays/vacation, public holidays, absence due to sickness, maternity leave, etc.
Employer’s social contributions: are the total of the social security contributions paid by the employer, including actual and statutory contributions, collectively-agreed contractual, voluntary and imputed social security contributions paid by the employer.
Subsidies received by the employer: These are all amounts received in the form of subsidies of a general nature intended to refund part or all of the cost of direct remuneration but not intended to cover social-security or vocational-training costs. They do not include refunds paid to the employer by social-security institutions or supplementary insurance funds.
Vocational training costs paid by theemployer (excluded from total costs):
These include: expenditure on vocational-training services and facilities (also those for apprentices but not their wages and salaries), small repairs and maintenance of buildings and installations, excluding staff costs; expenditure on participation in courses; the fees of instructors from outside the enterprise; expenditure on teaching aids and tools used for training; sums paid by the enterprise to vocational-training organisations, etc. Subsidies linked to vocational training should be deducted.
Other expenditure paid by the employer: recruitment costs (these are the sums paid to recruitment agencies), expenditure on job advertisements in the press, travel expenses paid to candidates called for interview, installation allowances paid to newly recruited staff, etc. This does not include administrative running costs (office expenses, staff wages, etc.).
Industry of the enterprise (branch of economic activity). Due to the fact that an enterprise may belong to more than one industry, it is classified on the basis of employment, that is the industry in which the biggest share of its employees is employed.
Quarterly Index of total Labour Costs (LCI_Total): it reflects the short-term trend of the average hourly labour costs. It is defined as the quotient of the (total) labor costs during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
Apart from the total LCI, the following indices for the other components of labour costs are also compiled:
Quarterly Index of wages and salaries (LCI_Wages): it reflects the short-term trend of the average wages-salaries. It is defined as the quotient of the total remuneration in cash and in kind payable to employees (gross wages and salaries) during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
Quarterly Index of employer’s social contributions(LCI_Other): it reflects the short-term trend of the average social contributions of the employers. It is defined as the quotient of the total employer’s social contributions (labour costs less wages and salaries) during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
Quarterly Index of total labour costs excluding bonuses and benefits(LCI_TXB): it reflects the short-term trend of the average hourly labour costs excluding bonuses and benefits. It is defined as the quotient of the labour costs (excluding bonuses and benefits) during the reference quarter and the total number of hours actually worked during the same period.
All the above indices are a Laspeyres quarterly Index with base year 2020. For each Section of Nace Rev.2, each variable (hourly labour cost, hourly wage,etc.) is calculated as the ratio of the hourly variable of each reference quarter to the annual average hourly variable of the base year 2020.
For the calculation of the quarterly aggregate Labour Cost Index (LCI) of a group of Sections B-F, G-J, G-N, K-N, O-S, P-S, B-E, B-N and B-S, the LCI of each section is weighted on the basis of the contribution of the annual labour cost of employees of this section in the previous year to the total labour cost of employees of all sections of the group in the above year.
The statistical unit is the enterprise employing at least 5 employees and belongs to sections B-S of Nace Rev.2.
The statistical population is the total of the enterprises employing at least 5 employees and belong to sections B-S of Nace Rev.2.
Greece, total.
Not Applicable
The errors that have an impact on the accuracy of the indices are:
sampling errors and;
non-sampling errors.
Sampling errors are due to the fact that the survey is not conducted on all the enterprises of the target population but on a sample of these enterprises.
The sample size ensures high accuracy estimations as regards both the general indices and the indices for the groups of sections of economic activities at the level of Greece total.
Non-sampling errors mostly refer to measurement errors and non-response errors, on account of non-response of the sample enterprises.
Any measurement errors during data collection are identified by means of quality checks and are duly corrected.
As regards non-response errors, all efforts are made for contacting the enterprises that have not responded by phone or by other means of communication,
in order to persuade them to cooperate and give the necessary information.
Not Applicable
The variables of labour cost are measured in euro.
The Labour Cost Indices are compiled by section of economic activity and by group of sections. For the calculation of the quarterly aggregate LCI, of a group of Sections, the LCI of each Section is weighted based on the contribution of the annual labour cost of employees of this Section in the previous year, to the total labour cost of employees of all Sections in the group, in the above year. The same principle applies for the other types of labour cost (Wages and
Salaries, Employer’s Social Contributions and TXB). For the estimations of weights (in million euros) for each section the most recent yearly data from National Accounts and Labour Cost survey (LCS) were used.
The Labour Cost Indices are compiled on the basis of a sample drawn from the business register of ELSTAT.
More specifically, for every two-digit code of economic activity a number of enterprises is selected for every one of the following size classes:
Size classes
Annual average employment
1
5-9 persons
2
10-19 persons
3
20-49 persons
4
50-99 persons
5
100-249 persons
6
250-499 persons
7
500-999 persons
8
1,000+ persons
Therefore, all the strata deriving from the combinations of the 2-digit code of economic activity with the size classes are covered.
From 2005, when the survey was first conducted, until 2008 the survey was conducted on a sample of 1,533 enterprises and was designed in accordance with Nace Rev.1.1.
In 2009 the sample was redesigned in order to implement the new Nace Rev.2 and the survey was conducted on a sample of 2,139 enterprises until the 2nd quarter 2013. From the 3rd quarter 2013 until the 4th quarter 2015, the survey was redesigned and it is conducted on a sample of 3,642 enterprises/services.
From the 1st quarter 2016 the survey was conducted on a sample of 4,308 enterprises and from 1st quarter 2018 on a sample of 5,282 enterprises.
From 1st quarter 2023, the sample was redesigned, the new enriched sample amounts to 8,500 enterprises. The sample size of the enterprises was defined in order the relevant standard error (co-efficient of variation CV) to meet the precision targets for the LCI.
Not Applicable
The Labour Cost Indices are available 70 days after the end of the corresponding reference period.
The collected survey variables are fully in line with the relevant definitions laid down in Regulation (EC) 450/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council, thus ensuring comparability of statistics among Member States.
The Labour Cost Indices are comparable over time. There are available data from the 1st quarter 2000 until the 4th quarter 2008 (according to Nace Rev.1.1) and from the 1st quarter 2000 onwards (according to Nace Rev.2).
