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 Department of Energy Planning and Statistics (DSPEE) is a core structural unit of the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG). Within the scope of its responsibilities, it is the sector responsible for the implementation of REGULATION (EU) 2016/1952 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 October 2016 on European statistics on natural gas and electricity prices.
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Avenida 5 de Outubro, 208 – Santa Maria Building 1069-039 Lisbon Portugal
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
12 July 2022
2.2. Metadata last posted
9 June 2022
2.3. Metadata last update
9 June 2022
3.1. Data description
European statistics on natural gas prices for household and final non-household customers.
3.2. Classification system
Internal Eurostat classification system based on REGULATION (EU) 2016/1952 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 October 2016 on European statistics on natural gas and electricity prices.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Household sector and final non-household sector (industry, services, offices, agriculture, etc).
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The prices are collected in national currencies per GJ and according to different bands of consumption.
For the households sector, these bands are:
D1: Customers consuming less than 20 GJ.
D2: Customers consuming 20 GJ or more but less than 200 GJ.
D3: Customers consuming 200 GJ or more.
For the final non-households sector, the bands are:
I1: Customers consuming less than 1000 GJ.
I2: Customers consuming 1000 GJ or more but less than 10000 GJ.
I3: Customers consuming 10000 GJ or more but less than 100000 GJ.
I4: Customers consuming 100000 GJ or more but less than 1000000 GJ.
I5: Customers consuming 1000000 GJ or more but less than 4000000 GJ.
I6: Customers consuming 4000000 GJ or more.
There exist 2 different levels of disagregation for semestrial and annual prices:
1- Semestrial prices:
These prices are reported twice a year and are divided in 3 levels:
Level 1 prices: Prices excluding taxes and levies.
Level 2 prices: Prices excluding VAT and other recoverable taxes and levies.
Level 3 prices: Prices including all taxes and levies.
2- Annual prices:
These prices are reported once a year together with the data for the second semester and are divided into the following components and taxes:
Energy and supply: commodity price for natural gas paid by the supplier or the price of natural gas at the point of entry into the transmission system, including, if applicable, the following end-user costs: storage costs plus costs relating to the sale of natural gas to final customers.
Network cost: transmission and distribution tariffs, transmission and distribution losses, network costs, after-sale service costs, system service costs and meter rental and metering costs.
Value added taxes (VAT): as defined in Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
Renewable taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to the promotion of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and CHP generation.
Capacity taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to strategic stockpiles, capacity payments and energy security; taxes on natural gas distribution; stranded costs and levies on financing energy regulatory authorities or market and system operators.
Environmental taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to air quality and for other environmental purposes; taxes on emissions of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. This component includes the excise duties.
All other taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges not covered by any of the previous four categories: support for district heating; local or regional fiscal charges; island compensation; concession fees relating to licences and fees for the occupation of land and public or private property by networks or other devices.
In addition to these elements, the network cost is split into the respective shares of transmission and distribution. The relative share of consumption in the different consumption bands is reported by the countries and used to calculated the single national natural gas prices (weighted averages for consumer bands I1-I6 and D1-D3) but not published because it could be used to re-calculate some confidential values.
Some of the taxes are refundable. Here is a description of them:
Band
Name of the tax
component in which it is reported
Total Recoverable
I1-I6
VAT
VAT
100%
The rate of VAT is 23% totally recoverable by nonhousehold sector
Extraordinary measures implemented:
Application of a supplementary supply (Regulation No. 951/2021, of 2 November, of ERSE - National Regulatory Authority) whose immediate effect is felt on reported prices,
Iberian mechanism for limiting electricity prices, applied since June 15, 2022, an ended in December 2023. The Iberian Mechanism makes it possible to set a reference price for natural gas consumed for the production of electricity, based on which a significantly lower value in the Iberian Electricity Market (MIBEL).
Possibility of returning to the regulated tariff in the gas Market (Since September 7, 2022). Applies to consumers in the domestic sector and small businesses with annual consumption of less than 10 000 m3.
A discount on the price of natural gas for customers with annual consumption exceeding 10 000 m3, only applies to the energy component (Decree-Law no. 84-D/2022, of December 9). The discount covers 80% of each consumer's reference period consumption under this support. Furthermore, regardless of whether that 80% level is reached or not, the discount ends as soon as the amount of 1 000 000 000 euros is exhausted.
3.5. Statistical unit
The data collected are disaggregated into exclusively household consumers and non-household consumers, the latter including sectors such as industry, services, and others. The information is provided by natural gas suppliers in Portugal and recorded by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE).
Unit: EURO/GJ
3.6. Statistical population
Household customers: Data coming from 28 suppliers representing almost 100% of the household customers.
Final non-household customers: Data coming from 32 suppliers representing almost 100% of the final non-household customers.
3.7. Reference area
Whole country
3.8. Coverage - Time
Natural gas prices data for Portugal are available since 2002.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Prices are reported in national currency per GJ. However, Eurostat also calculates and publishes the prices in EURO and PPS (purchasing power parity) and do the conversion to kWh. Relative shares of sub-component of the network component (transmission and distribution) and consumption volumes are reported in percentages.
For semestrial prices, the reference periods are from January to June for 1st semester and from July to December for 2nd semester.
For annual prices, the reference period is the whole calendar year (from January to December).
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
At EU level:
Regulation (EU) 2016/1952 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on European statistics on natural gas and electricity prices and repealing Directive 2008/92/EC (Text with EEA relevance).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2169 of 21 November 2017 concerning the format and arrangements for the transmission of European Statistics on natural gas and electricity prices pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/1952 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance).
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1734 of 14 November 2018 granting derogations to the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Spain, the Italian Republic and the Republic of Cyprus as regards the provision of statistics pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/1952 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2018) 7465) (Text with EEA relevance).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/823 concerning the content of quality reports on European statistics on natural gas and electricity prices pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/1952 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance).
Eurostat does not share the data collected with other organisation appart from its usual dissemination chanel (Eurostat's database, statistic explained articles and press or news release) .
At national level:
Data is sent to Eurostat and IEA (International Energy Agency)
Published on the DGEG website.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
At EU level:
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 11 March 2009, on the transmission of data subject to statistical confidentiality to the Statistical Office of the European Communities.
The collection, processing and dissemination of statistical data is done in accordance with Law No 22/2008 of 13 May (Law of the national statistical sistem), in particular Article 6, which establishes the application of the principle of statistical confidentiality to all information allows individualizing statistical units. In both cases, the breach of statistical confidentiality is punishable not only in disciplinary proceedings but also in criminal terms according to article 32 of Law No 22/2008 of 13 May.
8.1. Release calendar
Statistical releases are based on pre-announced calendars placed on DGEG webpage, according to the annual statistical work programme.
8.2. Release calendar access
The DGEG provides on its portal a calendar with all the publication dates of its statistics, including electricity and natural gas prices: website.
8.3. Release policy - user access
DGEG is an entity with functions entrusted by National Statistics Institute (Statistics Portugal) for producing and disseminating the official statistics defined by the protocol signed on June 1st 2010. The exercise of these competences by DGEG is performed under Statistics Portugal technical-scientific and methodological supervision and with strict compliance with the legislation and rules issued by the National and European Statistical System. Within this functions delegation, DGEG adopted the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Statistics Portugal Confidentiality Charter as well as other Statistics Portugal policies such as Dissemination and Revision policies in particular.
All statistical production by DGEG is based on administrative data available in the area of energy and geological resources, which are collected in the exercise of its competences. DGEG defines the content, form and timing of dissemination of information.
DGEG ensure the equal access to all users and there is no priority entity receiving (previously) information.
Natural Prices prices in Portugal are published on a semestrial basis on Eurostat's website and webpage DGEG.
All statistical information is released in DGEG webpage in the menu: Statistics - Energy Prices - Electricity and Natural Gas Prices.
Natural gas prices (UE-27) are published after the publication of Eurostat (semestrial basis).
The data is also published in EIA (quarterly).
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
We only published on the webpage in the main page.
Energy Numbers - Annual publication that aggregates the most relevant data on the energy sector in Portugal produced by DGEG, as well as other data systematized by ADENE.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The energy statistics (data and work applications) are allocated in excel files and documents, previously created according to the respective methodologies to be applied to each type of statistical operation.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
We don't give access to microdata.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
No other ways for disseminating the data.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
DGEG prepares (and updates) written methodological documents for each delegated statistical operation, based on standard methodological documents defined according to the National Statistical System. These documents present a detailed description of the statistical methodology (transmission, treatment, analysis and dissemination of data), applied regulation and legislation, concepts, definitions and classifications of each statistical operation. All documents, after approval by Statistics Portugal, are published on our webpage (DGEG).
Webpage - Statistics - Energy - Calendar, MetaInformation, Other Documentation - Methodological Documents - Statistics on Prices Relative to Electricity and Natural Gas Prices
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The availability of all quality related documents is according with the National Statistical System Law and the protocol signed with Statistics Portugal
However, we don´t have specific quality documents available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Within the framework of its competences and according with the National Statistical System Law and the protocol signed with Statistics Portugal, DGEG regulates itself, by quality standards on the statistical data produced and a Quality Commitment Statement is under approval.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Strength: Statistical production is of responsibility of a specific and independent department in DGEG, which guaranties higher specialization and a focus on statistical matters and professional independence.
Weakness: Short budget to develop specific surveys on energy creates problems on the implementation of improvements.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The Users of the data include Governament, ERSE (National Regulatory Authority), operators, energy stakeholders, media/Press, embassies, universities, customers and general population.
Regarding the use that entities make of statistics, for example the government uses for political decisions, ERSE for Price and consumption analysis and tariff implications, the Companies for price comparison and analysis;
Regarding energy stakeholders,media/Press, embassies, universities, customers and general population for analysis and evolution of the electricity market.
The main products analyzed are the prices and the associated taxes and fees.
Users only have access to information published by DGEG.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
DGEG does not have any specific satisfaction survey to the users of statistical information.
12.3. Completeness
The dataset transmitted to Eurostat comply with the Regulation 2016/1952.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The use of time series, specially for the last three years, allows checking the consistency of data. If errors are detected in filling, unreasonable values, series breaks or any other reason that undermines the quality of statistical information, the source of information is always questioned.
We don´t have examples of errors.
13.2. Sampling error
No sampling error, almost 100% of the population is covered.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Information is included in the sub-concepts S.13.3.1-S.13.3.5.
13.3.1. Coverage error
There are 28 suppliers reporting household prices, and 32 reporting nonhousehold prices, which 12 of them in each category (household and nonhouseld) correpond to regulated market and the others to liberalized market. We think it is a good thing and a good way of “looking” to the market and see it evolution
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not aware of any coverage of the data
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
We do not use administrative sources, 100% of the data is covered by the survey.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Our analysis system takes into account the historic value series sent by the suppliers and our analysis verify the deviation of the values sent.
Data are also validated in coordination with the regulatory authority (ERSE).
13.3.3. Non response error
Not available.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
We can say that, in general around 90% of suppliers answer to the required information
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
0%
13.3.4. Processing error
The use of time series, especially for the last three years, allows checking the consistency of data .
If errors are detected in filling out fields, unreasonable values, series breaks or any other reason that undermines the quality of statistical information, the operator is always questioned
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Natural gas operators that participate in the national data collection are requested to provide the natural gas prices within the following: the first semester has to be sent until august and the second semester until february.Then, the statistical office checks the micro-data for correctness, consistency and completeness, and national averages are calculated and reported to Eurostat during the third month.
The suppliers have two months to send the informations.
After receiving the information, DGEG, in collaboration with the regulatory authority, validates the data over the course of one month to ensure that the data are properly verified.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
The first version of the electricity price questionnaire for households and non-households for the 1st semester and 2nd semester of 2022,2023 and 2024 was sent 0 days after the deadline.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable
14.2. Punctuality
The legal deadline for submitting the questionnaires is the third month after the reference period.
The main reasons that affect the punctuality on the release of statistical information is the timing and quality of data provided by the sources of information, which sometimes requires to wait for rectification of the information before the dissemination.
But DGEG has complied with the submission deadlines.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
We have observed that there is still no harmonization of the data reported by all Member States, as well as difficulties in understanding the methodologies applied, especially in recent years, during which extraordinary measures have been implemented.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
There have been some changes but not enough to warrant about a break in series.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The data is comparable since 2nd semester 2007, when eurostat methodology changed.
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
The annual prices are coherent with the semestrial prices.
Is not measured.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The main revisons result of new information or data correction provided by the operators.
Every time a revision occurs, a new document (with the last revision date) replaces the old version.
17.2. Data revision - practice
We make revision when the operators send new information changing the data sent.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
not avaible
18.1. Source data
The data are based on a survey addressed to natural gas suppliers operating in the liberalised and regulated markets, registered with ERSE, covering 100% of the market. The target population consists of active suppliers.
The main variables collected include:
consumption volumes,
number of customers,
prices by consumption band.
These variables are weighted semestral and annual basis. To ensure data consistency, the survey data are complemented with information from the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE), notably a detailed breakdown of the price composition, which enhances the reliability of the results.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Semestrial prices.
18.3. Data collection
Portugal uses the Eurostat template and receive the information by email
18.4. Data validation
All steps in the production of statistics are analysed in relation to coherence and consistency mainly through the identification of breaks in a time series or the analysis of geographic scope and refrence period.
If any outlier is detected the provider of the information is required to provide clarifications/justifications to explain the situation.
It is also analyzed jointly with the Regulatory Authority, which provides us with a detailed breakdown of all components of the electricity price.
18.5. Data compilation
The production of the Statistics of the Prices related to Natural Gas and Electricity is therefore the result of the use of information of an administrative date, which has historically been in the possession of the DGEG in the scope of its competences, at national level, european and international representation, to produce information on the energy and geology.
The statistical operation applies to natural gas and electricity trading companies located in Portugal and active in the reference period.
The information obtained is covered by validation rules (such as coherence and consistency) and for this purpose there are templates in excel sent by Eurostat, gathering the information obligations of the operators. The fulfillment of the data follows a specific structure. DGEG when receiving the information compiles the data that once loaded is manually validated. In case of errors the responsible entity is contacted.
The data sent (semester) is compared with the previous period.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Seasonable adjustments are not carried out.
Area of responsability of the senior technicians:
Ensure the production, reporting and dissemination of information statistics in the energy sector
Ensure the production, reporting and dissemination of information statistics in the energy sector namely:
Analysis statistics of the evolution of energy prices (petroleum products, coal, natural gas, eletricity and biomass), in particular on import and export energy products, analysis of international reference energy markets, and energy prices for final consumers;
Ensure the dissemination of the statistical information produced in the area of energy, drawing up and publishing periodic statistical reports to ensure that the dissemination of available statistical information and a knowledge of the characterization and evolution of the sector;
Management of the website fuel prices online (www.precoscombustiveis.dgeg.gov.pt);
Analysis of all legislation related to energy sector
Make the communications to the European Commission, the IEA and other bodies international agreements on energy statistics.
European statistics on natural gas prices for household and final non-household customers.
9 June 2022
The prices are collected in national currencies per GJ and according to different bands of consumption.
For the households sector, these bands are:
D1: Customers consuming less than 20 GJ.
D2: Customers consuming 20 GJ or more but less than 200 GJ.
D3: Customers consuming 200 GJ or more.
For the final non-households sector, the bands are:
I1: Customers consuming less than 1000 GJ.
I2: Customers consuming 1000 GJ or more but less than 10000 GJ.
I3: Customers consuming 10000 GJ or more but less than 100000 GJ.
I4: Customers consuming 100000 GJ or more but less than 1000000 GJ.
I5: Customers consuming 1000000 GJ or more but less than 4000000 GJ.
I6: Customers consuming 4000000 GJ or more.
There exist 2 different levels of disagregation for semestrial and annual prices:
1- Semestrial prices:
These prices are reported twice a year and are divided in 3 levels:
Level 1 prices: Prices excluding taxes and levies.
Level 2 prices: Prices excluding VAT and other recoverable taxes and levies.
Level 3 prices: Prices including all taxes and levies.
2- Annual prices:
These prices are reported once a year together with the data for the second semester and are divided into the following components and taxes:
Energy and supply: commodity price for natural gas paid by the supplier or the price of natural gas at the point of entry into the transmission system, including, if applicable, the following end-user costs: storage costs plus costs relating to the sale of natural gas to final customers.
Network cost: transmission and distribution tariffs, transmission and distribution losses, network costs, after-sale service costs, system service costs and meter rental and metering costs.
Value added taxes (VAT): as defined in Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
Renewable taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to the promotion of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and CHP generation.
Capacity taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to strategic stockpiles, capacity payments and energy security; taxes on natural gas distribution; stranded costs and levies on financing energy regulatory authorities or market and system operators.
Environmental taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to air quality and for other environmental purposes; taxes on emissions of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. This component includes the excise duties.
All other taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges not covered by any of the previous four categories: support for district heating; local or regional fiscal charges; island compensation; concession fees relating to licences and fees for the occupation of land and public or private property by networks or other devices.
In addition to these elements, the network cost is split into the respective shares of transmission and distribution. The relative share of consumption in the different consumption bands is reported by the countries and used to calculated the single national natural gas prices (weighted averages for consumer bands I1-I6 and D1-D3) but not published because it could be used to re-calculate some confidential values.
Some of the taxes are refundable. Here is a description of them:
Band
Name of the tax
component in which it is reported
Total Recoverable
I1-I6
VAT
VAT
100%
The rate of VAT is 23% totally recoverable by nonhousehold sector
Extraordinary measures implemented:
Application of a supplementary supply (Regulation No. 951/2021, of 2 November, of ERSE - National Regulatory Authority) whose immediate effect is felt on reported prices,
Iberian mechanism for limiting electricity prices, applied since June 15, 2022, an ended in December 2023. The Iberian Mechanism makes it possible to set a reference price for natural gas consumed for the production of electricity, based on which a significantly lower value in the Iberian Electricity Market (MIBEL).
Possibility of returning to the regulated tariff in the gas Market (Since September 7, 2022). Applies to consumers in the domestic sector and small businesses with annual consumption of less than 10 000 m3.
A discount on the price of natural gas for customers with annual consumption exceeding 10 000 m3, only applies to the energy component (Decree-Law no. 84-D/2022, of December 9). The discount covers 80% of each consumer's reference period consumption under this support. Furthermore, regardless of whether that 80% level is reached or not, the discount ends as soon as the amount of 1 000 000 000 euros is exhausted.
The data collected are disaggregated into exclusively household consumers and non-household consumers, the latter including sectors such as industry, services, and others. The information is provided by natural gas suppliers in Portugal and recorded by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE).
Unit: EURO/GJ
Household customers: Data coming from 28 suppliers representing almost 100% of the household customers.
Final non-household customers: Data coming from 32 suppliers representing almost 100% of the final non-household customers.
Whole country
For semestrial prices, the reference periods are from January to June for 1st semester and from July to December for 2nd semester.
For annual prices, the reference period is the whole calendar year (from January to December).
The use of time series, specially for the last three years, allows checking the consistency of data. If errors are detected in filling, unreasonable values, series breaks or any other reason that undermines the quality of statistical information, the source of information is always questioned.
We don´t have examples of errors.
Prices are reported in national currency per GJ. However, Eurostat also calculates and publishes the prices in EURO and PPS (purchasing power parity) and do the conversion to kWh. Relative shares of sub-component of the network component (transmission and distribution) and consumption volumes are reported in percentages.
The production of the Statistics of the Prices related to Natural Gas and Electricity is therefore the result of the use of information of an administrative date, which has historically been in the possession of the DGEG in the scope of its competences, at national level, european and international representation, to produce information on the energy and geology.
The statistical operation applies to natural gas and electricity trading companies located in Portugal and active in the reference period.
The information obtained is covered by validation rules (such as coherence and consistency) and for this purpose there are templates in excel sent by Eurostat, gathering the information obligations of the operators. The fulfillment of the data follows a specific structure. DGEG when receiving the information compiles the data that once loaded is manually validated. In case of errors the responsible entity is contacted.
The data sent (semester) is compared with the previous period.
The data are based on a survey addressed to natural gas suppliers operating in the liberalised and regulated markets, registered with ERSE, covering 100% of the market. The target population consists of active suppliers.
The main variables collected include:
consumption volumes,
number of customers,
prices by consumption band.
These variables are weighted semestral and annual basis. To ensure data consistency, the survey data are complemented with information from the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE), notably a detailed breakdown of the price composition, which enhances the reliability of the results.
Natural Prices prices in Portugal are published on a semestrial basis on Eurostat's website and webpage DGEG.
All statistical information is released in DGEG webpage in the menu: Statistics - Energy Prices - Electricity and Natural Gas Prices.
Natural gas prices (UE-27) are published after the publication of Eurostat (semestrial basis).
The data is also published in EIA (quarterly).
Natural gas operators that participate in the national data collection are requested to provide the natural gas prices within the following: the first semester has to be sent until august and the second semester until february.Then, the statistical office checks the micro-data for correctness, consistency and completeness, and national averages are calculated and reported to Eurostat during the third month.
The suppliers have two months to send the informations.
After receiving the information, DGEG, in collaboration with the regulatory authority, validates the data over the course of one month to ensure that the data are properly verified.
We have observed that there is still no harmonization of the data reported by all Member States, as well as difficulties in understanding the methodologies applied, especially in recent years, during which extraordinary measures have been implemented.
There have been some changes but not enough to warrant about a break in series.
