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.
Statistics Denmark Sankt Kjelds Plads 11 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
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
9 August 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
9 August 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
3 September 2025
3.1. Data description
Services Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (STEC) statistics provide information on the types of enterprises engaged in international trade in services and show how enterprises in different industries supply services and how this relates to their primary activity. STEC disclose additional insights into trade statistics, by allowing the profiling of the enterprises according to selected characteristics such as number of employees, type of ownership and economic activity.
A+B - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing; mining and quarrying,
D+E - Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities,
I+L+O+P+Q+R+S+T+U - Accommodation and food service activities; real estate activities; public administration, defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities; other services.
NACE Sections:
C - Manufacturing,
F - Construction,
G - Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,
H - Transportation and storage,
J - Information and communication,
K - Financial and insurance activities,
M - Professional, scientific, and technical activities,
N - Administrative and support service activities.
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
3. Transport
4. Travel
5. Construction
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e.
3.5. Statistical unit
Enterprise.
3.6. Statistical population
The activity breakdown covers NACE sections from A to U.
The product breakdown covers EBOPS 2010 main items.
3.7. Reference area
Denmark
3.8. Coverage - Time
From 2022 as reference year.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
All data sent to Eurostat are in Thousands of Euro for Euro Area countries and in Thousands of National currency for non-Euro Area countries. The unit of dissemination is Euro.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics sets the data requirements in the field of services trade by enterprise characteristics for the EU Member States and EFTA countries. The exact technical specifications are listed in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197, table 17 "Country-level business statistics on trade in services by enterprise characteristics (STEC) – annual data".
The variable must be reported annually with first reference year 2022.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
STEC statistics follows the confidentiality policy of Statistics Denmark (DST website).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
To ensure that no confidential data is disseminated, confidential data is clearly flagged, when transmitting it to Eurostat. Before transmitting the data confidential procedures are performed to ensure that data comply with the confidentiality policy. This includes secondary confidentiality and inter-table checks to make sure no confidential cells can be deduced between tables.
8.1. Release calendar
The publication date appears in the release calendar. The date is confirmed in the weeks before.
STEC statistics are transmitted for the reference period t+18 months. The transmission of STEC for the given reference period are based on the nationally disseminated ITSS data.
Data is disseminated nationally to the public with no distinctions as to when it is available to users. If the user has an account for our national statbank (this feature is also public available) for STEC tables, the user is also directly informed when new data is available. When data is released a newsletter is released, highlighting some of the main findings of the new data
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
STEC data disseminated at national level
When annual data is released a news release is also published describing main findings in the data.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
STEC data disseminated at national level
National data is used for various annual publications and ad hoc analyses describing international trade in services for Denmark.
It is possible to get access to anonymised ITGS and Business register micro-data through Statistics Denmark’s research scheme. Furthermore, Statistics Denmark’s Customer Centre can carry out special data extractions.
Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Eurostat assessed the completeness and accessibility of the 2023 dataset by evaluating the proportion of mandatory cells reported and the extent of confidentiality.
All mandatory cells across all tables were fully reported (100%), while approximately 22% of the dataset was flagged as confidential.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
STEC is for various analysis’ of the international trade in services. STEC is used to analyse globalisation and the enterprises which contribute to this increased globalisation.
Users are public authorities, private organizations and firms, international organizations, embassies, the media and private individuals.
Timeliness and the level of detail is always a concern for users and these are frequently assessed to better meet user needs.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No user satisfaction survey has been carried out.
12.3. Completeness
The content requirements in the field of services trade by enterprise characteristics as outlined in Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics are being supplied to Eurostat in tables STEC01, STEC02 and STEC03.
The exact technical specifications are listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197.
However, there can be data which cannot be published due to confidentiality policies.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100% of the legally required data cells are available.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Based on the sources for this statistics the overall accuracy is considered high for these statistics. There is a higher uncertainty related to the latest published year, since some sources are still being validated, while others have been subject to imputation. The uncertainty related to STEC is highly related to the uncertainty for ITSS. On the aggregated level ITSS is accurate, due to the large share of the trade that is directly reported, but on more detailed service items levels, the variance of the uncertainty is larger, mainly due sampling error.
13.2. Sampling error
The sampling error for the ITS survey is calculated with a CV value of the 0,6 pct. for exports and 0,8 pct. for imports.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
it must be considered that the concepts being employed in the statistics are rather complicated. Accordingly misunderstandings in the reports leading to inaccurate compilations are unavoidable. This problem is constantly addressed by contacting the reporters when suspicions of misunderstandings are raised. Special analyses have been conducted on the items sea transport, travel, insurance, merchanting, government services (n.i.e.), construction services, and services between affiliated enterprises (n.i.e.) and most lately on intellectual property services.
The travel item entails some difficulty, especially travel debits. It is compiled using different information on consumption by Danes abroad, number of nights abroad, and transport abroad from statistics from other countries; but the risk of error is fairly big, particularly concerning small partner countries. This error margin can, however not be calculated.
International Trade in Services is an important source of information and this source has some uncertainty about the coverage. The main uncertainty in the coverage is related to the population from which the statistic is sampled. Missing reporting can also be an source of coverage error.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
An enterprise can only appear once in the population for International Trade in Services. Thus, there can be no common units in the statistics.
13.3.2. Measurement error
All statistics are subject to a validation process before publication which rules out most measurement errors.
13.3.3. Non response error
For the latest year there can be enterprise characteristics which are not available. Thus some trade might be part of the group unknown for the latest year, but be in the correct enterprise group for later years.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Data is grossed up to the total population, assumed to consist of about 50.000 units. The grossing up routine is dynamic as the weights are recalculated when new data are available. The 325 monthly reporters are allotted with weight 1, while the 2.600 annual reporters are allotted with weights larger than 1 (or 1). The final weights are based on the design weights, which are calibrated according to some stratum totals.
If information about affiliates (IFATS and OFATS) is not available for the present year, the latest available year will be used to compile the statistics as we assume there are no large changes from year to year.
14.1. Timeliness
These statistics are reported 18 months after the reference period. They are published without any delays.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
The ITSS follows the revision policy of national accounts and is thus disseminated two years and six months after the reference period. Therefore, STEC statistic follows the national revision policy and is published nationally 22 months after reference period, while STEC is submitted to Eurostat 18 months after the reference period.
14.2. Punctuality
The STEC tables were transmitted before the transmission deadline.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
These statistics are comparable over time (with first reference year 2022).
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
STEC is fully comparable with the compiled services in the ITSS and Balance of payments statistics. Comparability with other statistics, such as the business statistics can be limited due to different coverages.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
There were no reported inconsistencies with integrity rules for the STEC data transmitted.
All STEC tables (STEC01, STEC02, STEC03) are internally consistent.
Not relevant for STEC as its is based on already collected data.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.
As STEC is only exceptionally revised, there is no official policy for revising STEC.
17.2. Data revision - practice
These statistics are revised by each publication date for the latest 2 year. This follows the revision policy of International Trade in Services and National Accounts.
Cross table differences between ITS and STEC data for a given reference year can be found, since STEC data submitted at time T is compared to ITS data submitted at T-1 for the same given reference year due to revision of trade data.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
The sources used to compile the statistics are International Trade in Services Statistics (ITSS), the Business Register, the statistics for foreign owned enterprises (IFATS) and the statistics for Danish Foreign affiliates (OFATS).
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
The statistics are based on information from other statistical domains. This information is combined to form an independent statistic.
18.4. Data validation
The total International Trade and total trade on service codes is compared between International Trade in Service Statistics and International Trade in Service by Enterprise Characteristics statistics to ensure consistency. Also the total trade on economic sectors, service type etc. is compared between tables in international trade in service by enterprise characteristics, to ensure internal consistency within this domain.
18.5. Data compilation
ITSS is mainly based on a sample survey (ITS survey) where around 2.900 units are surveyed, representing the full population of around 50.000 units. The grossing up procedure is fully dynamic and recalculated for each production cycle. Around 325 units are reporting monthly and are only representing themselves in the statistics, and around 2.600 is surveyed yearly and represents the rest of the enterprises in the population. The directly reported trade cover more 90 pct. of the total trade from the ITS survey.
Through a common ID-variable data from the Business register, ITSS, IFATS and OFATS are linked. The information from all these statistics are then used to form a variety of tables which can be found in the statbank. If a link cannot be established between the data sources, the legal unit in question will be a part of the group unknown for business related variables. In addition only directly reported trade is linked with the business statistics, and thus the grossed up figures, which cannot be directly linked to an enterprise, are a part of the unknown.
If information about affiliates (IFATS and OFATS) is not available for the present year, the latest available year will be used to compile the statistics.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
ITSS is mainly based on a sample survey (ITS survey) where around 2.900 units are surveyed, representing the full population of around 50.000 units. The grossing up procedure is fully dynamic and recalculated for each production cycle. Around 325 units are reporting monthly and are only representing themselves in the statistics, and around 2.600 is surveyed yearly and represents the rest of the enterprises in the population. The directly reported trade cover more 90 pct. of the total trade from the ITS survey.
Through a common ID-variable data from the Business register, ITSS, IFATS and OFATS are linked. The information from all these statistics are then used to form a variety of tables which can be found in the statbank. If a link cannot be established between the data sources, the legal unit in question will be a part of the group unknown for business related variables. In addition only directly reported trade is linked with the business statistics, and thus the grossed up figures, which cannot be directly linked to an enterprise, are a part of the unknown.
If information about affiliates (IFATS and OFATS) is not available for the present year, the latest available year will be used to compile the statistics.
18.6. Adjustment
Not measured.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No comments.
Services Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (STEC) statistics provide information on the types of enterprises engaged in international trade in services and show how enterprises in different industries supply services and how this relates to their primary activity. STEC disclose additional insights into trade statistics, by allowing the profiling of the enterprises according to selected characteristics such as number of employees, type of ownership and economic activity.
A+B - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing; mining and quarrying,
D+E - Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities,
I+L+O+P+Q+R+S+T+U - Accommodation and food service activities; real estate activities; public administration, defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities; other services.
NACE Sections:
C - Manufacturing,
F - Construction,
G - Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,
H - Transportation and storage,
J - Information and communication,
K - Financial and insurance activities,
M - Professional, scientific, and technical activities,
N - Administrative and support service activities.
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
3. Transport
4. Travel
5. Construction
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e.
Enterprise.
The activity breakdown covers NACE sections from A to U.
The product breakdown covers EBOPS 2010 main items.
Denmark
Calendar year.
Based on the sources for this statistics the overall accuracy is considered high for these statistics. There is a higher uncertainty related to the latest published year, since some sources are still being validated, while others have been subject to imputation. The uncertainty related to STEC is highly related to the uncertainty for ITSS. On the aggregated level ITSS is accurate, due to the large share of the trade that is directly reported, but on more detailed service items levels, the variance of the uncertainty is larger, mainly due sampling error.
All data sent to Eurostat are in Thousands of Euro for Euro Area countries and in Thousands of National currency for non-Euro Area countries. The unit of dissemination is Euro.
ITSS is mainly based on a sample survey (ITS survey) where around 2.900 units are surveyed, representing the full population of around 50.000 units. The grossing up procedure is fully dynamic and recalculated for each production cycle. Around 325 units are reporting monthly and are only representing themselves in the statistics, and around 2.600 is surveyed yearly and represents the rest of the enterprises in the population. The directly reported trade cover more 90 pct. of the total trade from the ITS survey.
Through a common ID-variable data from the Business register, ITSS, IFATS and OFATS are linked. The information from all these statistics are then used to form a variety of tables which can be found in the statbank. If a link cannot be established between the data sources, the legal unit in question will be a part of the group unknown for business related variables. In addition only directly reported trade is linked with the business statistics, and thus the grossed up figures, which cannot be directly linked to an enterprise, are a part of the unknown.
If information about affiliates (IFATS and OFATS) is not available for the present year, the latest available year will be used to compile the statistics.
The sources used to compile the statistics are International Trade in Services Statistics (ITSS), the Business Register, the statistics for foreign owned enterprises (IFATS) and the statistics for Danish Foreign affiliates (OFATS).
Annual.
These statistics are reported 18 months after the reference period. They are published without any delays.
