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.
Indicator: value added of construction (production in construction). It shows the evolution of gross value added at basic prices. The main source is turnover in construction. Other sources are input and output prices and productive hours in construction.
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev. 2. Statistics Netherlands doesn't use further CC.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The survey covers NACE Rev. 2 Section F.
Size classes covered : The size class to be covered is all units within the framework of the Quarterly and National accounts. All size classes are included.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
For turnover in construction: invoiced amount: total amount invoiced in reference period, valued excluding VAT.
Planned changes in information collected : None
Accounting conventions : Data refers to flows during the calendar month.
3.5. Statistical unit
Turnover in construction is reported by enterprises (legal units).
Observation unit(s) : The observation unit for sales in construction is the enterprise and parts of enterprises (presumed to be KAUs).
3.6. Statistical population
The statistical population comprises the observation units (enterprises) that are economically active in one of the above-mentioned sectors in the period under review.
Statistical population is 243.000 (includes all business units in construction. 5100 of these business units have 10 or more persons employed. 232.000 businessuntits are measured by VAT-data from the tax authorities.
3.7. Reference area
The geographical area covered by the survey is the Netherlands - no regions are excluded.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Date of first use as a source : 1987
3.9. Base period
The base year is at present 2021. Once every five years the index will be revised.
Indices, percentage change (%).
Flows during the calendar month.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Legal basis: Statistics Netherlands is fully independent in terms of its statistical operations with respect to methodology and publications. Independence was granted by the Royal Act of 1899 and reconfirmed by law in 1996 and 2003. The CBS Law of 2003 is available in English and Dutch. The public can find it at the CBS website, (CBS law).
Obligation on units to provide data: The Law of 2003 established the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Central Commission for Statistics. Section 3 states: “The task of the CBS is to carry out statistical research for the government for practice, policy and research purposes and to publish the statistics compiled on the basis of such research". For the surveys carried out under the provisions of the Law of 2003 irregularities with respect the obligation to provide information can be punished with a fine of a maximum of EUR 5,000.
European Business Statistics Regulation
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics, repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics (EBS-Regulation)
Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistic (General Implementing Act)
Commission Implementing Decision 2021/1003 granting derogations to certain Member States with respect to the transmission of statistics pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 (Derogations)
The Law of 2003 established the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Central Commission for Statistics. Section 3 states: “The task of the CBS is to carry out statistical research for the government for practice, policy and research purposes and to publish the statistics compiled on the basis of such research". Sections 33 through 36 describe the collection of information, sections 37 and 38 describe the use of information gathering and sections 39 through 42 the dissemination of results. The most relevant clauses are the following. Section 33: “The director general is authorised to use, for statistical purposes, data from registers (..) the director general is authorised to request, for statistical purposes, data (..) from the categories of companies, independent professionals, institutions and legal persons (..).” Section 37: “The data (..) shall be used solely for statistical purposes. The data (..)shall only be published in such a way that no recognisable data can be derived from them about an individual person, household, company or institution, unless, (..) there are good reasons to assume that the company or institution concerned will not have any objections to the publication.” The CBS Law of 2003 is available in English and Dutch. The public can find it at the CBS website (CBS law).
Further, the same data is also disseminated to the OECD.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Statistics Netherlands is fully independent in terms of its statistical operations with respect to methodology and publications. Independence was granted by the Royal Act of 1899 and reconfirmed by law in 1996 and 2003. Data provision was made compulsory by law in 1936. Confidentiality is guaranteed. Individual data are never published without consent. The Royal Act of 1899 and the Law of 1996 have been repealed by the Law of 20 November 2003. This Law on the Central Bureau of Statistics describes the independence of the director-general of Statistics Netherlands: “The director general shall determine the methods by which the studies included in the work programme and the multi-annual programme will be carried out and the manner in which the results of those studies will be published”. The Law of 2003 established the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Central Commission for Statistics. Section 3 states: “The task of the CBS is to carry out statistical research for the government for practice, policy and research purposes and to publish the statistics compiled on the basis of such research". Sections 33 through 36 describe the collection of information, sections 37 and 38 describe the use of information gathering and sections 39 through 42 the dissemination of results. The most relevant clauses are the following. Section 33: “The director general is authorised to use, for statistical purposes, data from registers (..) the director general is authorised to request, for statistical purposes, data (..) from the categories of companies, independent professionals, institutions and legal persons (..).” Section 37: “The data (..) shall be used solely for statistical purposes. The data (..) shall only be published in such a way that no recognisable data can be derived from them about an individual person, household, company or institution, unless, (..) there are good reasons to assume that the company or institution concerned will not have any objections to the publication.” The CBS Law of 2003 is available in English and Dutch. The public can find it at the CBS website (CBS law).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
There is no risk to reveal information on individual companies or units.
8.1. Release calendar
A rolling 5 months-ahead release calendar is published in the schedule by date of Statistics Netherlands (Publication Calendar). When approximate release dates are given, the precise dates are announced on the last working day of the week prior to the release.
Simultaneous release to all interested parties : The data are released simultaneously to all interested parties by loading them into the on-line database StatLine on the internet website of Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and posting a notification under “updates” on the home-page of the website.
Identification of internal government access to data before release : There is no government access to the data before their release to the public.
Transmission to Eurostat and further use of the statistics : Data are transmitted to Eurostat within 45 days from the end of the reference month. The transmission is done by use of Edamis using the Gesmes coding system.
Monthly
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Ministerial commentary and data from Statistics Netherlands are fully separated. There is no news release.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Name of national paper publications : Not available.
Name of national electronic dissemination : The data are published on the CBS Website (CBS) in Statline.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The data are published on the CBS website (CBS) in Statline.
Description of standard tables produced : Monthly volume production as an index (2021=100) and as a month-on-same-month-of-previous-year growth rate of NACE Rev. 2 Section F, total and gross. Working day adjusted data are compiled for Eurostat only.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
There are internal quality reports that are used for the validation of the data to be published every month/quarter. There is no general report available describing the different quality indicators of these statistics.
11.1. Quality assurance
The weighted response rate has to be above a certain percentage if figures are to be published.
There are different policies and procedures guarantying quality. Statical improvements are reviewed by an independent department. There is also a list of methods that have been accepted as best practice. New statistics should use these methods or only deviate with good reasons. Every month the results of BCS statistics are validated by a independent ststistician.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality of the BCS statistics are considered good. All quality aspects for BCS statistics have been covered.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
BCS provide statistical information necessary to monitor the competitiveness and performance of the business community in the EU. The BCS are used by different users (European Commission and ECB, national governments and central banks, economic analysts in private companies and financial institutions) and serve different purposes.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available
12.3. Completeness
The index is complete. There are no gaps or missing data parts.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The output indicator on construction reflects the volume development of the value added (basic prices) in the sector construction according to the Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities 2008 (SIC 41, 42 and 43). Statistics Netherlands usually publishes the first results 45 days after the end of the reference period. The figures are consistent with the Quarterly accounts and the National accounts and corrected for price changes. This means that the figures retain the status 'provisional' for quite a long time. Consistency with the National accounts implies consistency with the provisional, adjusted provisional and the definite estimates, and subsequent revisions. The value added in construction is calculated every month and based on the following sources: monthly survey of turnover in construction, productive hours in construction and various price data of construction. Changes in the data can be caused by the availability of new statistical source information, or by adjustments to the data in the yearly National Accounts and in the Quarterly Accounts. The primary input for the production-index is turnover. The monthly survey of turnover in construction are taken from tax registrations for enterprises 1 to 9 employees. In addition, enterprises with 10 to 49 employees receive a questionnaire on a sample basis, and enterprises with 50 employees or more are all included in the survey. The statistical errors as a result of a lack of response are considered small. As response increases in the course of the time, the accuracy of the figures also increases. The same is true for VAT information; there is more information on a quarterly basis compared to a monthly basis, where the response rate reaches approximately 95-100%. No model assumptions are made. In case of non response, missing data values are imputed automatically. The effect of imputation methodology on the quality of the data is considered to be minor, especially after data analysis and validation.
13.2. Sampling error
not applicable
13.3. Non-sampling error
The production index uses primary turnover development information. The effect of non-response is generally small. The response rate of turnover in construction reaches approximately 80% at the time of the first publication. After 4 months the response rate has gradually grown to a rate of approximately 90% . E-mail reminders and telephone contacts ensure the increase of response rate. Missing values for enterprises are imputed. A few large companies (429 digit group) give an estimate for the turnover for the first few months. These estimates are later (when quarterly results are available) replaced by realisations. Therefore the adjustments of turnover development for the 429 digit group are sometimes larger than other 3-digit groups. For enterprises where VAT information is used on a monthly basis (enterprise 1 to 9 employees) the turnover development for the first two months is based on the information of only monthly respondents (missing records are imputed). The turnover response rate (25-30%) is much lower for these first two months, compared with the publication of the quarterly results where information of monthly and quarterly respondents is used (95-100%). The first estimates have no or only little bias. This mainly due to a high respondents rate.
QPI - size-weighted unit response rate of first estimates (SWURR) As requested a weighted unit response rate of the data at the time of each reporting period's first delivery to Eurostat has been calculated. This was done for each month since 2020.
The monthly average SWURR of our first estimates over 2023 was 90,6% for the whole construction section (categories 41100 through 43999X). It should be noted however that all periods are analyzed multiple additonal times in subsequent periods, with new responses coming in over time. After our annual revision the final weighted respons rate generally reaches close to 98%. It should also be noted the response rates are weighted by the turnover at 4-digit NACE-level, but not within each group. With the bigger companies responding more often than smaller ones the weighted response rate within each group, and thus also the overall response rate, should be higher in general.
14.1. Timeliness
Timeliness : The first publication is made about 45 days after the end of the reference period. The production index is final after three years, when National Accounts are final.
Timetable of data collection : Questionnaires are sent to the reporting unit at the end of the reference month.
14.2. Punctuality
All releases are published according to the release calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The STS Regulations and the STS methodological guidelines are applied by the countries transmitting STS data. This ensures a good comparability between national data and good-quality European aggregates. However, the data are not 100% comparable with other countries. Each country may apply different collection methods (surveys, use of administrative sources) and different calculation procedures for the data. Within the Netherlands, no seperate geographical data is compiled, thus there is no comparability between regions.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The time series from 2000 till now are comparable over time. Only small adjustments have been implemented in that period.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Dissemination of information that supports statistical cross-checks and provides assurance of reasonableness: Compilation of data is based on the Standard Corporation Classification 2008 (Standaard Bedrijfs Indeling; SBI). The 'Standaard Bedrijven Indeling, SBI' is the Dutch equivalent of the NACE coding. In this classification some NACE 4th digits have been subdivided in several 5th digit groups.
Confrontation with other data sets: The turnover generated in the wood and building material industry is confronted with the turnover generated in the total construction sector. It is observed that the wood and building material industry benefits from positive developments in the construction sector. Furthermore, the turnover of building construction companies is compared to the production of building projects. The latter concerns the part of the dwelling and commercial and industrial building projects and is expressed in a corresponding part of the total building costs. The cross-checks are not used to re-estimate the figures, but are merely used as an instrument to detect similar patterns in the data sets. If substantial differences are observed between the patterns for the invoiced turnover data in the wood and building material industry and the invoiced turnover data on total construction, we will examine those differences. We also try to link the production of building projects to the invoiced turnover data on construction of buildings. Since the production of building projects is based on building licences, time lag-effects have to be included in our analyses. As more information becomes available, we try to get more insight on possible significant correlations and time lag-effects between the two indicators on construction of buildings.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The NACE areas 41, 42 and 43 are all internally consistent, and with the total section F as well. Coherence is achieved partially through benchmarking with quarterly National Accounts data. As per usual this only fully applies to non-calendar and seasonally adjusted data, with the adjusted series there will be small inconsistencies, but within the acceptable margins.
The persons hour per year for Statistics Netherlands is about 4000 hours. The respondents burden is estimated at 6000 hours per year.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The Statistical office release policy makes a distinction between adjustments, corrections and revisions. The published results can be changed over time due to several reasons:
Adjustments are changes due to extra information from enterprises, due to working day adjustment and adjustment to be consistent with the quarterly and annual national accounts
Corrections for large, apparent mistakes (for example serious editing or processing errors): This type of change is applied very rarely
Revisions are due to the change of methodology or base year
Vintages are stored but not published, they can be provided upon request.
The same revision policy is applied to data released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
The National and STS revision strategy is the same. New figures are published once a month for STS purposes. Figures of preceding periods can/will be adjusted in these releases only.
The revision policy is described in the explanation of the online database tables. In case of changes in methodology or major changes in the data, the public will be informed on the internet website of Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Data and outcomes are benchmarked against National Accounts data (quarterly) and the construction turnover STS.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Adjustments
Possible adjustments to first releases are due to better response, working day adjustment and adjustment to be consistent with the quarterly and annual national accounts.
The figures are published about seven weeks after the end of the month under review. The figures are consistent with the Quarterly accounts and the National accounts. This means that the figures retain the status 'provisional' for quite a long time.
Consistency with the National accounts implies consistency with the provisional, adjusted provisional and the definite estimates, and subsequent revisions.
The figures are consistent with the results of the first (flash) estimates for the Quarterly accounts, six weeks after the quarter under review. Later on the figures are adjusted to the regular estimates, published approximately 3 months after the quarter under review.
The adjustments are published at the moment the new monthly figure is added to the series.
Errors
Revisions due to errors haven't occured for a long time.
Major revision due methodology change
In 2014, Statistics Netherlands has conducted a major revision on their macro-economic data. The national accounts have been compiled in accordance with the guidelines and concepts of the new European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 2010). In addition, new statistical sources and estimation methods have been used during the revision. This has its consequences for the index and changes in value added of the construction industry. The monthly figures about the value added of the construction industry have been adjusted to fit the Revision 2010 and the results of the National accounts 2013 and related Quarterly accounts.
In the revision of July 2015 the year on year adjustments changed between -1.2 and 1.2 percent.
QPIs:
As requested the MR (Mean Revision) and MAR (Mean Absolute Revision) has been calculated for construction using year-on-year growth rates for the calendar adjusted data over the 2020-2022 period, comparing the data from the first made delivery of every month to the latest one. For the calendar-adjusted series the MR is equal to 0,6 and the MAR equal to 1,1. We have updated and improved the models for the working-day adjustments.
As discussed, due to the change in base year to 2021=100 and the switch from CC1 & CC2 to NACE 41, 42 & 43 it is not possible to calculate the MR and MAR this year.
18.1. Source data
Type of source : Statistical surveys: Survey on sales in construction.
Frame on which the source is based : The General Business Register (Algemeen Bedrijfsregister - ABR).
Sample or census : The survey on which sales in construction are based is a sample of reporting units (within NACE Rev. 2 Divisions 41-43) with 10 to 99 persons employed. Reporting units with 100 persons employed or more are covered in an exhaustive fashion. Units with 1 to 9 persons employed are covered with VAT-information.
Criteria for stratification : Sales in construction: 5 digit level of the national activity classification and size-classes measured by the number of persons employed. ; Threshold values and percentages : Sales in construction: Number of persons employed; Sample rate (%):17; 20-49: 28; 50-99; 100; 100-199: 100; 200-499: 100; 500 or more:100
Frequency of updating the sample : Yearly, in January. Moreover there is a monthly refreshment for enterprise death and births.
The sample is 2.000 business units of the 6.000 business units in the population.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data collection is monthly
18.3. Data collection
Questionnaires used in the survey: Monthly questionnaire on sales and some additional branch-specific information such as purchase value of commodities.
Planned changes in national questionnaires: No changes in national questionnaires are planned.
Data collection media: Most of the data collection is done by electronic means, both e-mail and direct connection, after receiving a log-in code by mail. A small part of the collection is by postal questionnaire and other means. Quarterly VAT-data (census approach) are used to calibrate the quarterly survey results.
Planned changes in data collection methodology: None
18.4. Data validation
Data validation of turnover in constructiom is performed as a final step before releasing/disseminating the data. The validation is performed by an independent statistician.
The data file structure is validated in the program Genedi. The results of STS construction are presented in excel-datatables and graphs. The validity of the results is done by examing the tables and graphs.
18.5. Data compilation
Estimates for non-response:
the last response is used for estimation by using the trend of the responding units in the same stratum up to 6 months in the past;
if there is no recent response the average of responding units in the same activity and size-class is used.
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: The grossing up is based on the latest completed monthly total number of enterprises per stratum in the General Business Register adjusted for population errors (such as non-active enterprises). The ratio of the total number of enterprise (N) within a given stratum to the corresponding number of enterprises (n) of the sample gives the grossing-up factor for the stratum.
Type of index: A simple Laspeyres index is used. Statistics Netherlands calculates the production in construction index as a chain index. ; according to the National Accounts 2010.
Method of weighting and chaining: The indices of building and civil engineering are weighted with the gross value added at basic prices
Planned changes in production methods: None
18.6. Adjustment
WDA, SA and other calculations: Production of construction is estimated mainly by using deflated turnover.; Sales of building work is deflated by the production price-index of building. Sales of civil engineering work is deflated by the input price-index of civil engineering. The production index is adjusted afterwards to the Quarterly Accounts. Working day adjusted figures (X12-Arima) are transmitted to Eurostat only. Production of building and civil engineering are compiled for Eurostat only and transmitted as confidential. The disintegration to underlying levels is ensured to the use of a uniform set of weights.
In general Statistics Netherlands does follow all the ESS guidelines for Working Day and Seasonal Adjustment (option A for wd&sa).
With regard to construction during the prior adjustment with X-12 regARIMA, the working day calendar is adjusted for leapyears, official Dutch holidays and also moving holidays of the construction sector itself. Thereby we also model the production-index for temperature influences based on the Royal Dutch wheather institute (KNMI) and also for other incidental outliers, from the additive type. In this way the WDA also enhance the quality of the seasonal pattern extracted afterwards, which Statistics Netherlands does no publish up to date.
Nor do we publish temperature adjusted data and outlier adjusted outcomes.
Indicator: value added of construction (production in construction). It shows the evolution of gross value added at basic prices. The main source is turnover in construction. Other sources are input and output prices and productive hours in construction.
27 May 2025
For turnover in construction: invoiced amount: total amount invoiced in reference period, valued excluding VAT.
Planned changes in information collected : None
Accounting conventions : Data refers to flows during the calendar month.
Turnover in construction is reported by enterprises (legal units).
Observation unit(s) : The observation unit for sales in construction is the enterprise and parts of enterprises (presumed to be KAUs).
The statistical population comprises the observation units (enterprises) that are economically active in one of the above-mentioned sectors in the period under review.
Statistical population is 243.000 (includes all business units in construction. 5100 of these business units have 10 or more persons employed. 232.000 businessuntits are measured by VAT-data from the tax authorities.
The geographical area covered by the survey is the Netherlands - no regions are excluded.
Flows during the calendar month.
The output indicator on construction reflects the volume development of the value added (basic prices) in the sector construction according to the Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities 2008 (SIC 41, 42 and 43). Statistics Netherlands usually publishes the first results 45 days after the end of the reference period. The figures are consistent with the Quarterly accounts and the National accounts and corrected for price changes. This means that the figures retain the status 'provisional' for quite a long time. Consistency with the National accounts implies consistency with the provisional, adjusted provisional and the definite estimates, and subsequent revisions. The value added in construction is calculated every month and based on the following sources: monthly survey of turnover in construction, productive hours in construction and various price data of construction. Changes in the data can be caused by the availability of new statistical source information, or by adjustments to the data in the yearly National Accounts and in the Quarterly Accounts. The primary input for the production-index is turnover. The monthly survey of turnover in construction are taken from tax registrations for enterprises 1 to 9 employees. In addition, enterprises with 10 to 49 employees receive a questionnaire on a sample basis, and enterprises with 50 employees or more are all included in the survey. The statistical errors as a result of a lack of response are considered small. As response increases in the course of the time, the accuracy of the figures also increases. The same is true for VAT information; there is more information on a quarterly basis compared to a monthly basis, where the response rate reaches approximately 95-100%. No model assumptions are made. In case of non response, missing data values are imputed automatically. The effect of imputation methodology on the quality of the data is considered to be minor, especially after data analysis and validation.
Indices, percentage change (%).
Estimates for non-response:
the last response is used for estimation by using the trend of the responding units in the same stratum up to 6 months in the past;
if there is no recent response the average of responding units in the same activity and size-class is used.
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: The grossing up is based on the latest completed monthly total number of enterprises per stratum in the General Business Register adjusted for population errors (such as non-active enterprises). The ratio of the total number of enterprise (N) within a given stratum to the corresponding number of enterprises (n) of the sample gives the grossing-up factor for the stratum.
Type of index: A simple Laspeyres index is used. Statistics Netherlands calculates the production in construction index as a chain index. ; according to the National Accounts 2010.
Method of weighting and chaining: The indices of building and civil engineering are weighted with the gross value added at basic prices
Planned changes in production methods: None
Type of source : Statistical surveys: Survey on sales in construction.
Frame on which the source is based : The General Business Register (Algemeen Bedrijfsregister - ABR).
Sample or census : The survey on which sales in construction are based is a sample of reporting units (within NACE Rev. 2 Divisions 41-43) with 10 to 99 persons employed. Reporting units with 100 persons employed or more are covered in an exhaustive fashion. Units with 1 to 9 persons employed are covered with VAT-information.
Criteria for stratification : Sales in construction: 5 digit level of the national activity classification and size-classes measured by the number of persons employed. ; Threshold values and percentages : Sales in construction: Number of persons employed; Sample rate (%):17; 20-49: 28; 50-99; 100; 100-199: 100; 200-499: 100; 500 or more:100
Frequency of updating the sample : Yearly, in January. Moreover there is a monthly refreshment for enterprise death and births.
The sample is 2.000 business units of the 6.000 business units in the population.
Monthly
Timeliness : The first publication is made about 45 days after the end of the reference period. The production index is final after three years, when National Accounts are final.
Timetable of data collection : Questionnaires are sent to the reporting unit at the end of the reference month.
The STS Regulations and the STS methodological guidelines are applied by the countries transmitting STS data. This ensures a good comparability between national data and good-quality European aggregates. However, the data are not 100% comparable with other countries. Each country may apply different collection methods (surveys, use of administrative sources) and different calculation procedures for the data. Within the Netherlands, no seperate geographical data is compiled, thus there is no comparability between regions.
The time series from 2000 till now are comparable over time. Only small adjustments have been implemented in that period.
