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 European 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, place of residence, household structure), social conditions (housing, health, crime), economic aspects (labour market, economic activity), education and training (participation in education and training, educational attainment level), environment (waste management), transport and travel patterns, as well as culture and recreation statistics.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The definitions in the City Statistics Manual have been followed as far as possible. For additional information on deviating definitions used in the data collection, please see Annex I.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is mostly persons, but can, depending on the variable, also be percentage, households, dwellings, houses, jobs etc. For the complete description of variables, please see the City Statistics Manual.
3.6. Statistical population
For most variables the target statistical population is the usual residents of a geographical area (city). For the complete description of variables, please see the City Statistics Manual.
3.7. Reference area
The spatial units in the data collection are defined according to the City Statistics Manual. In Finland data is collected for nine cities and seven Functional Urban Areas (FUA). A list of the cities and FUAs can be found in Annex I. Note that the FUA classification for Finland has been updated and implemented in the statistics for the reference year 2024. Changes were made to four FUAs. For these FUAs there is a break in the time series for all statistics in the data collection 2024.
3.8. Coverage - Time
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2008, 2004 and 2001 are the reference years for the main data collections. 1996 and 1991 were the reference years for the "historical" data collection. The current data collection covers the years 2023-2025.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit of measurement varies from indicator to indicator and from variable to variable. In most cases the unit of measurement is included in the label.
The reference period for this metadata is 2024.
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.
The legal framework for the geo-spatial definitions is the TERCET Regulation.
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.
The quality assurance procedures detailed in the City Statistics Manual have been applied.
11.1. Quality assurance
The principles of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM principles) are employed by Statistics Finland as it is the overall framework for quality management. The quality management framework of the field of statistics is the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP). The frameworks complement each other. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are also compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
When compiling statistics, Statistics Finland observes the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP) and the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) based on them.
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
Data availability differs depending on the variable and spatial level. An overview of data availability is provided in Annex I.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Metainformation and quality aspects of the variables are provided in Annex I.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Depends on the domain and individual variable. As a general rule, timeliness is from 12 to 22 months.
14.2. Punctuality
All requested available data has been delivered to Eurostat.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Due to some deviating definitions and different data sources the comparability of data is limited to some extent.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Most of the data are comparable over time. Where the comparability is not assured, flags and suitable notes are added in the data file. The time series for all the nine Finnish Sub National Statistics (Urban Audit) cities start from the year 2010.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Data collected at sub-national level is coherent with the data collected at national level to a limited extent due to the different data sources 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 multivariate and univariate validation controls.
The compilation of these city statistics has been coordinated by Statistics Finland, where the National Urban Audit Coordinator (NUAC) is located. The work has been done in close cooperation with the cities of Espoo, Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Lahti, Oulu, Tampere, Turku and Vantaa.
17.1. Data revision - policy
For a few variables preliminary data has been delivered. These variables are marked with appropriate flags. The final data for these variables will be delivered as soon as it is available.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Detected errors will be corrected.
18.1. Source data
In Finland most of the statistical data are based on registers. For the source of each variable, please see Annex I.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data is collected annually.
18.3. Data collection
Data has been collected by the National Urban Audit Coordinator (NUAC) in Finland on behalf of Eurostat. The NUAC has collected data from available sources in the national statistical office, other state agencies or ministries and from the cities concerned.
18.4. Data validation
Data is checked at Statistics Finland and in the cities concerned.
18.5. Data compilation
Statistics Finland compiles most of the data delivered. Some variables have been compiled by the cities concerned.
The data collection provides information and comparable measurements on the different aspects of the quality of urban life in European cities.
26 March 2026
The definitions in the City Statistics Manual have been followed as far as possible. For additional information on deviating definitions used in the data collection, please see Annex I.
The statistical unit is mostly persons, but can, depending on the variable, also be percentage, households, dwellings, houses, jobs etc. For the complete description of variables, please see the City Statistics Manual.
For most variables the target statistical population is the usual residents of a geographical area (city). For the complete description of variables, please see the City Statistics Manual.
The spatial units in the data collection are defined according to the City Statistics Manual. In Finland data is collected for nine cities and seven Functional Urban Areas (FUA). A list of the cities and FUAs can be found in Annex I. Note that the FUA classification for Finland has been updated and implemented in the statistics for the reference year 2024. Changes were made to four FUAs. For these FUAs there is a break in the time series for all statistics in the data collection 2024.
The reference period for this metadata is 2024.
Metainformation and quality aspects of the variables are provided in Annex I.
The unit of measurement varies from indicator to indicator and from variable to variable. In most cases the unit of measurement is included in the label.
Statistics Finland compiles most of the data delivered. Some variables have been compiled by the cities concerned.
In Finland most of the statistical data are based on registers. For the source of each variable, please see Annex I.
Annually.
Depends on the domain and individual variable. As a general rule, timeliness is from 12 to 22 months.
Due to some deviating definitions and different data sources the comparability of data is limited to some extent.
Most of the data are comparable over time. Where the comparability is not assured, flags and suitable notes are added in the data file. The time series for all the nine Finnish Sub National Statistics (Urban Audit) cities start from the year 2010.
