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.
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.
Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
Transport
Travel
Construction
Insurance and pension services
Financial services
Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
Telecommunications, computer, and information services
Other business services
Research and development services
Professional and management consulting services
Technical, trade-related, and other business services
Personal, cultural and recreational services
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
Hungary.
3.8. Coverage - Time
STEC data are available for years 2018-2023.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The data are transmitted to Eurosta in thousands of national currency (HUF).
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
As regards STEC data, Hungarian Central Statistical Office is responsible for the production and for the dissemination of the national statistics and also for the transmission of the datasets to Eurostat.
The datasets are not sent to any other bodies of the Hungarian statistical system. The National Bank of Hungary can be consulted, but only on an ad hoc basis (f.ex. for supplementary information in case of data reconciliation between HCSO and Eurostat).
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
STEC data are compiled taking into account the confidentiality policy of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. The framework of the confidentiality policy of the HCSO is determined by the professional independence of the institution, the Act No. CLV of 2016 on Official Statistics.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The rules applied by HCSO to ensure confidentiality of STEC data:
1. Primary confidentiality: data is confidential, if it consists of data from only one or two data provider(s).
2. Secondary confidentiality: it is applied to ensure the confidentiality of data flagged due to primary confidentiality.
Confidential flags are applied only on the aggregate outputs. When using secondary confidentiality, the aim is to minimise the value of encrypted data.
8.1. Release calendar
STEC data is disseminated on the website of Hungarian Central Statistical Office, in Summary tables (STADAT). The release calendar is publicly accessible.
Datasets are disseminated on the website of Hungarian Central Statistical Office in Summary tables (detailed tables, time series format). The release dates are available on the HCSO website, in the publication calendar.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
There was no press releases linked to the STEC-data over the past year.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
There was no publications linked to the STEC-data over the past year.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
STEC data are not avalaible in online databases, data series are published in excel tables.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Microdata are not disseminated.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
STEC data is transmitted to Eurostat via Edamis, according to Eurostat's technical documents and the legal requirements.
Quality of STEC-data is assured by the application of the EU regulation 2020/1197.
Self-assessment: international trade in services data production processes are reviewed by the statistician colleagues every year and improved, if necessary.
Peer review: all processes of international trade in services data production was described and overviewed in the framework of ESR's Peer Review in 2023.
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 13% of the dataset was flagged as confidential.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main user of STEC data is Eurostat.
STEC data is disseminated also on the website of HCSO. Here only the number of downloads of each table is available, but not detailed information about the users.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction is not measured.
12.3. Completeness
The Hungarian STEC data meet completely the requirements of the EU-regulation 2020/1197, 100% of the required cells are sent to Eurostat.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
STEC, year 2023, all breakdowns: 100%
13.1. Accuracy - overall
STEC data are calculated from quarterly international trade in services datasets.
As regards services data, about 3000 resident enterprises are selected for data supply, they account for the 75-80% of the total services data. The main source of errors is the incorrect report of data providers. In order to correct these errors, statisticians have regular contact with the data providers, data are cross-checked with VAT data and data correction made, if necessary.
13.2. Sampling error
Sampling error is not relevant.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Non-sampling errors are not relevant.
13.3.1. Coverage error
As regards services data, about 3000 resident enterprises are selected for data supply, they account for the 75-80% of the total services data.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
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
Processing errors are not relevant.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
According to the requirements of the EU-regulation No 2020/1197, STEC datasets are reported to Eurostat 18 months after the end of the reference period.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Publication of first results on the website of HCSO: 14,5 months after the reference period. Transmission to Eurostat: 18 months after the end of the reference period.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final results are transmitted to Eurostat 20,5 months after the reference period (it depends from the transmission date of revised data by the National Bank of Hungary to Eurostat).
14.2. Punctuality
Data were transmitted punctual.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
STEC data are compiled in accordance with the methodology set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/2152, ensuring a high degree of geographical comparability across reporting countries.
Back to year 2018, data of European Union is calculated without Great Britain.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
STEC data are generally considered highly comparable over time.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
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
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data revision takes place about 20,5 months after the reference period (the exact date depends from the transmission date of revised ITSS data by the National Bank of Hungary to Eurostat). ITSS data are transmitted according to the scheduled revision date and after that, STEC data is also recalculated.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data revision takes place about 20,5 months after the reference period (the exact date depends from the transmission date of revised ITSS data by the National Bank of Hungary to Eurostat). ITSS data are transmitted according to the scheduled revision date and after that, STEC data is also recalculated.
Revised STEC data for year 2023 is transmitted in September 2025.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
STEC data is calculated from quarterly international trade in services data; its main sources are:
direct data collection: quarterly data collection of business and transportation services by the HCSO,
other main data sources:
border surveys for travel (HCSO),
illegal services (HCSO),
external trade in goods statistics relating to manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others,
bank card transaction data from the National Bank of Hungary,
sale and purchase data of non-produced non-financial assets from the National Bank of Hungary,
register of the direct costs of Hungarian film production from the National Film Office,
VAT and corporate tax data.
VAT data are used for estimation. The data of the other data sources are used directly.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
STEC data is compiled and disseminated annual, but the source data (international trade in services) are collected and disseminated quarterly.
18.3. Data collection
1. Direct data collection
Quarterly data collection of business and transportation services: detailed informations about data sources, data collection, compilation methods, estimation methods, imputation can be found in the annex.
b. Illegal services are calculated and transmitted by the colleagues of the National Accounts Department of HCSO.
c. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others: data is transmitted from external trade in goods statistics.
3. Other data sources
a. Sale and purchase data of non-produced non-financial assets from the National Bank of Hungary (R11 and R18) Documents for data suppliers are available here: Data reporting list (mnb.hu)
b. Bank card transaction data from the National Bank of Hungary: data is transmitted to HCSO quarterly; it is used for the estimation of digital consumption of households (only for imports).
c. Register of the direct costs of Hungarian film production from the National Film Office: data is transmitted to HCSO quarterly in excel format.
d. VAT and corporate tax data Data are transmitted from the National Tax and Customs Administration by HCSO and loaded into a common database. For ITSS validation and grossing-up purposes, data are downloaded from this common database.
18.4. Data validation
Quarterly data collection of business and transportation services: detailed informations about data sources, data collection, compilation methods, estimation methods, imputation can be found in the annex.
18.5. Data compilation
Quarterly data collection of business and transportation services: detailed informations about data sources, data collection, compilation methods, estimation methods, imputation can be found in the annex.
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.
Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
Transport
Travel
Construction
Insurance and pension services
Financial services
Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
Telecommunications, computer, and information services
Other business services
Research and development services
Professional and management consulting services
Technical, trade-related, and other business services
Personal, cultural and recreational services
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.
Hungary.
Calendar year.
STEC data are calculated from quarterly international trade in services datasets.
As regards services data, about 3000 resident enterprises are selected for data supply, they account for the 75-80% of the total services data. The main source of errors is the incorrect report of data providers. In order to correct these errors, statisticians have regular contact with the data providers, data are cross-checked with VAT data and data correction made, if necessary.
The data are transmitted to Eurosta in thousands of national currency (HUF).
Quarterly data collection of business and transportation services: detailed informations about data sources, data collection, compilation methods, estimation methods, imputation can be found in the annex.
STEC data is calculated from quarterly international trade in services data; its main sources are:
direct data collection: quarterly data collection of business and transportation services by the HCSO,
other main data sources:
border surveys for travel (HCSO),
illegal services (HCSO),
external trade in goods statistics relating to manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others,
bank card transaction data from the National Bank of Hungary,
sale and purchase data of non-produced non-financial assets from the National Bank of Hungary,
register of the direct costs of Hungarian film production from the National Film Office,
VAT and corporate tax data.
VAT data are used for estimation. The data of the other data sources are used directly.
Annual.
According to the requirements of the EU-regulation No 2020/1197, STEC datasets are reported to Eurostat 18 months after the end of the reference period.
STEC data are compiled in accordance with the methodology set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/2152, ensuring a high degree of geographical comparability across reporting countries.
Back to year 2018, data of European Union is calculated without Great Britain.
STEC data are generally considered highly comparable over time.
