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 data collection provides information and comparable measurements on the different aspects of the quality of urban life in cities.
3.2. Classification system
Specific classification and coding systems have been developed for the spatial units and for the variables and indicators. For the description of the coding system and the list of indicators and variables see the City statistics manual.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The indicators and variables cover several aspects of quality of life, for e.g. demography (population, nationality, household structure), social aspects (housing, health), crime, economic aspects (labour market, economic activity, income disparities and poverty), education and training (education and training provision, educational qualifications), environment, travel and transport, and culture and recreation (culture and recreation and tourism).
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
For most variables the definitions of the City statistics manual existing international standards have been followed. For additional information on the deviating definitions used in the collection please see Annex "Deviating definitions".
3.5. Statistical unit
Statistical units are mostly persons. Few variables are collected on households, enterprises, dwellings, cities, etc. For the complete description of variables see the City statistics manual.
3.6. Statistical population
For most variables the target statistical population was the usual residents of a geographical area (city or FUA). For the detailed description of variables see the City statistics manual.
3.7. Reference area
Spatial Units are listed in the annex of the City statistics manual.
Data were provided for the following spatial units:
City level – data of 3 Estonian cities (Tallinn, Tartu and Narva)
Functional Urban Area (FUA) – data of 2 Estonian cities (Tallinn FUA and Tartu FUA).
3.8. Coverage - Time
The data collection is organized in data collection rounds. Data are available from 1991. The latest data collection covers reference year 2023.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit of measurement varies from indicator to indicator; from variable to variable. In most cases the unit of measurement is included in the label.
2001, 2004, 2008 and 2011 were the reference years for the main data collection. 1991 and 1996 were the reference years for the "historical" data collection. Fewer variables have been collected on annual bases for the reference years 2005–2007, 2009, 2010, 2012–2014.
Since then data collection has been annual.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
All data supply of urban statistics is based on a voluntary agreement, as there is no Community legislation yet on this topic.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
8.1. Release calendar
Please see point 8.2.
8.2. Release calendar access
Release calendar is available on the Statistics Estonia website.
8.3. Release policy - user access
The tables in the Statistical Database, news releases and publications are published at 8 a.m.
The periodicity of the data is 1 year.
The database is updated continually the first day of every month, depending on the data availability of new and revised data.
No special data set or database is developed for Urban Audit data. Main data can be found in the Statistics Estonia database.
All data are available in Eurostat database, Database by themes / General and regional statistics / City statistics (urb).
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not available.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
For most variables the definitions given in the City statistics manual have been followed. Information on the deviating definitions used in the collection is available in annexes "Basic information on data sources 2010-2023" and "Methodology EE 2023".
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality assurance procedures detailed in the City statistics manual have been applied. Information on additional quality documentation relevant to the UA project is provided in Annex "Quality documentation".
11.1. Quality assurance
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, EU Statistics Code of Practice and the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements provided for in § 7 „Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Data are only published when they have a high degree of consistency. After passing the validation procedure the information is considered to be of a good quality.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
User needs and stakeholder requirements are collected at several forums.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User feedback is collected at several forums.
12.3. Completeness
Overview of data availability is provided in Annex "Data availability", information about missing variables is provided in Annex "Missing variables".
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Meta information and quality aspects of the variables collected in Urban Audit is provided in Annex "Basic information on data sources".
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Depends on the domain and individual indicator. As a general rule, timeliness is about 24 months.
14.2. Punctuality
Data is generally submitted within 12 months after reference year
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Due to the some deviating definitions and different data sources used the comparability of data is limited to some extent. Detailed information on data sources and deviating definitions is available in Annexes “Deviating definitions” and “Basic information on data sources”.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Breaks in the time series are flagged accordingly (Flag b) if applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Information obtained in the frames of Urban Audit data collection is fully consistent with the national data because for one and the same variable one and the same data source at national and sub-national level is used.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence (e.g. between spatial levels, between indicators like total, male, female population) is ensured through the application of multivariable and univariable validation controls.
The data collection is based on administrative data so the main burden is on the Statistical Institute.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Detailed information about data sources is available in the Annex “Basic information on data sources”.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The Urban Audit is a multiannual data collection. The reference period of the current data collection is 2023
18.3. Data collection
Data is mainly collected from various departments of Statistics Estonia. Some variables are provided by external partners.
18.4. Data validation
Basic information on data validation is described in Annex "Data validation".
18.5. Data compilation
Annex "Basic informaton on data sources 2010-2023"
The data collection provides information and comparable measurements on the different aspects of the quality of urban life in cities.
3 October 2024
For most variables the definitions of the City statistics manual existing international standards have been followed. For additional information on the deviating definitions used in the collection please see Annex "Deviating definitions".
Statistical units are mostly persons. Few variables are collected on households, enterprises, dwellings, cities, etc. For the complete description of variables see the City statistics manual.
For most variables the target statistical population was the usual residents of a geographical area (city or FUA). For the detailed description of variables see the City statistics manual.
Spatial Units are listed in the annex of the City statistics manual.
Data were provided for the following spatial units:
City level – data of 3 Estonian cities (Tallinn, Tartu and Narva)
Functional Urban Area (FUA) – data of 2 Estonian cities (Tallinn FUA and Tartu FUA).
2001, 2004, 2008 and 2011 were the reference years for the main data collection. 1991 and 1996 were the reference years for the "historical" data collection. Fewer variables have been collected on annual bases for the reference years 2005–2007, 2009, 2010, 2012–2014.
Since then data collection has been annual.
Meta information and quality aspects of the variables collected in Urban Audit is provided in Annex "Basic information on data sources".
The unit of measurement varies from indicator to indicator; from variable to variable. In most cases the unit of measurement is included in the label.
Annex "Basic informaton on data sources 2010-2023"
Detailed information about data sources is available in the Annex “Basic information on data sources”.
The periodicity of the data is 1 year.
The database is updated continually the first day of every month, depending on the data availability of new and revised data.
Depends on the domain and individual indicator. As a general rule, timeliness is about 24 months.
Due to the some deviating definitions and different data sources used the comparability of data is limited to some extent. Detailed information on data sources and deviating definitions is available in Annexes “Deviating definitions” and “Basic information on data sources”.
Breaks in the time series are flagged accordingly (Flag b) if applicable.
