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.
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
Legal unit
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
Norway as geographical area.
All geographical regions of the mainland are included in addition to Svalbard, Jan Mayen etc. for NACE categories.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Year 2023.
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
The data is solely compiled by Statistics Norway.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The policy statement of Statistics Norway, states the following:
Official statistics must be published in such a way that the data cannot be traced back to the supplier of any data or to any other identifiable individual.
Exceptions may be made where this is not to the detriment of persons or to the unreasonable detriment of an establishment (ref. Statistics Act Section 2-6).
Data on individuals and establishments (where the identity is concealed) may be loaned for research purposes, but only under strict conditions, where privacy is protected.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Statistics Norway does not publish figures if there is a risk of the respondent’s contribution being identified. This means, as a general rule, figures are not published if fewer than three units form the basis of a cell in a table or if the contribution of one or two respondents constitutes a very large part of the cell total.
In the case of STEC statistics, three or less entities (enterprises) per cell is applied.
In addition, secondary confidentiality is practised to maintain confidentiality.
8.1. Release calendar
There is a release calendar for upcoming statistics, where you will find our upcoming publications and statistics releases for most of the statistics published by Statistics Norway.
The main principles of Statistics Norway’s communication and dissemination are transparency, accessibility, comprehensibility, independence and confidentiality.
Ssb.no, including StatBank, is the main channel for the dissemination of statistics and analyses based on Statistics Norway’s statistical production and own research. The dissemination principles apply to statistics and analyses regardless of funding source.
Statistics Norway aims to be open about all aspects of statistics and analyses. Any errors in published material must be rectified as soon as possible, with clearly marked corrections.
Planned revisions of the statistics must be accounted for, and users must be alerted in advance of any major changes. Information on the quality of statistics and analyses is openly available in documentation (metadata).
No external users have access to the statistics and analyses before they are published and accessible simultaneously for everyone on ssb.no. However, there are a few exceptions to this principle of equal treatment of users.
The scope of exceptions should be limited and illuminated through documentation in About the statistics. Clients can access publications and other analyses before publication where this is part of a professional cooperation/quality assurance, but only for internal use. The media never have access to content prior to release, nor are given a press embargo.
Statistics and analyses must be notified well in advance in the Statistics Release Calender, and made available for everyone simultaneously, i.e. 8 o'clock on weekdays.
Possible deviations from the notification date are marked in the calendar and the statistics’ home page.
The system for assuring the quality of Norwegian official statistics is based on the Statistics Act and in the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Annually, Statistics Norway prepares a report on the quality of all official statistics requested by Ministry of Finance. This report covers:
Coordination of official statistics
Quality evaluations of official statistics
Quality reviews of individual statistics
Recommendations for improvements
Follow up of quality reporting
Quality in administrative information systems
User orientation
Development of the quality assurance system
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 26% of the dataset was flagged as confidential.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The detailed statistical tables are disseminated to Eurostat only.
We have published one article for the reference year of 2019. We have not received any feedback regarding this publication so far.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
We currently don't collect any information on user satisfaction.
12.3. Completeness
We have included the most important statistics in the compilation.
Some fringe statistics, of minor importance, are currently not included in the data.
We plan on extending the scope of data included for the next dissemination.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
The indicator refers to data sent to Eurostat, which means that this indicator can be compiled by Eurostat.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Various challenges exist in terms of data compilation due to discrepancies between national accounts data and microdata.
National accounts data (ITSS) are in some instances higher and in other instances lower, compared to source data (ETS) .
These deviations are being adjusted in the compilation process.
13.2. Sampling error
The sample for ETS is a combination of full count stratum and stratified simple random sample.
This means that External Trade in Services uses probability sampling and sample variance is relevant.
The sample variance (and the coefficient of variation) is calculated in the estimation program.
In the calculations of the sample variance, we disregard the uncertainty that comes from any unit deviations, measurement errors or deviant observations.
It's likely that there's some sampling error; which is the difference between the sample's reported values and the values that would be if the whole population was investigated.
To reduce this problem we try to make sure that the largest companies are included in the sample.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
The figures the enterprises report to SSB, should only concern external trade in services.
There might be some difficulties in differentiating between goods and services, and between a Norwegian unit and a foreign unit.
This might lead to weakness for the statistics, since errors and ommission may occur in the reporting.
A weakness of the external trade in services statistics may be related to non-response. To overcome this problem; both partial- and total missing data, missing values are imputed.
Another possible error is the sampling error; which is the difference between the sample's reported values and the values that would be if the whole population was investigated.
To reduce this problem we try to make sure that the largest companies are included in the sample.
13.3.1. Coverage error
The population concerning external trade in services for non-financial enterprises includes all enterprises.
The population excludes small enterprises which have no or just a small amount of external trade in services. To join this very limited population, the rest of the enterprises must fulfill at least one of the following five criteria:
Total ingoing and outgoing cash flow transactions exceeding NOK 500 000, or outgoing transactions concerning import of services exceeding NOK 50 000 based on cash flow statistics
FATS (Foreign-controlled enterprises in Norway/ Norwegian controlled enterprises abroad)
The enterprise has been in the sample for at least four years, and has reported figures on external trade in services
Enterprises within the quarrying and mining industry, which has joined VAT number with an enterprise which fulfill the first criteria
The enterprise is within the external ocean transport industry, and has a turnover of at least NOK 5 000 000 .
When all enterprises not fulfilling at least one of these five criteria are excluded, one is left with around 33 000 enterprises.
Due to the difficulties in distinguishing between the frame population and target population, there may be some undercoverage. We try to handpick other enterprises to be able to get closer to the target population.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
12.22
13.3.2. Measurement error
Error in reading, calculating or recording numerical value. This kind of error is minimal, if it happens, it is resolved before publishing.
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
Not-existent.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Regarding External Trade in Services: Since the estimation is not based on any model assumption, we do not have model assumption errors.
14.1. Timeliness
18 months (t +18 m.)
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
18 months (t+ 18)
14.2. Punctuality
The STEC tables were transmitted before the transmission deadline.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
From a methodological point of view, the comparability across countries is ensured by the implementation of the concepts and definitions set up by the EU legislation and by the application of the complementary guidelines provided by the European business statistics Compilers guide for statistics on services trade by enterprise characteristics (STEC).
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The methods and compilations done for each year previous to 2022 data, may have had varied compilation methods.
Thus, the comparisons over time should be done on the basis of aggregates if this is strictly necessary.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Trade flows regarding travel services and financial services cannot be allocated to individual enterprises.
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.
Please refer to the annex in pragaraph 18.3
Since STEC provides additional information on international trade of services thru use of existing data at Statistics Norway's several departments, it does not bring additional burden to the respondents.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not relevant at the moment.
17.2. Data revision - practice
One of the sources for STEC is External Trade of Services Statistics (ETS) .
ETS does not publish annual data separately. Quarterly data for ETS is usually revised 5 quarters back in time.
For ITSS >
The routine revisions are in line with CMFB TF's recommendations. In the 1st quarter the first preliminary annual figures for t-1 are published and these are revised in the 2nd quarter. All preliminary annual figures are calculated as the sum of the quarterly figures. The main publication of annual figures are in the 3rd quarter, then final annual figures for year t-2, and revised, will come preliminary figures for t-1.
In adddition, benchmark revisions are done according to Eurostat's reccommendations.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
The data is largely based on ETS , which is a sample survey. Administrative data (the Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CREE)) is also used by linking the enterprises to the NACE.
Structural business statistics as well as quarterly travel survey are also used in addition to FATS data ; so one can refer to the STEC compilation as a multisource process.
Enclosed please find the methodological document that is drafted in connection with the 2019 STEC-compilation.
The ETS is based on a sample survey, covering approximately 2500 - 2800 non-financial enterprises, out of an estimated target population of about 33 000 enterprises.
The sample is drawn from the statistical business register and it revolves once a year. It is a quartely survey.
2. Travel survey
Statistical Norway’s quarterly travel survey is used as a source for travel services. The travel survey covers a sample of the Norwegian populations’ travels both within Norway and abroad.
3. Administrative data source : Statistic Norway's Business Register : the Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CREE) - continous testing is done by several departments.
For other issues please refer to the annex.
18.4. Data validation
Coverage and response rates are contiously checked and data is compared regulary with data for previous cycles and with expectations in terms of External Trade in Services Statistics.
18.5. Data compilation
ETS (External trade statistics in services) is one of the main sources of ITSS and cover mainly non-financial enterprises.
From the population, a sample of enterprises is drawn stratified simply by chance. To allocate the sample between the strata, optimal allocation has been used.
Many of the reporting enterprises are involved in huge projects, this can affect the data collected, especially when large projects are created and are completed.
A weakness of the statistic can be due to non-response. To overcome this problem with both partial- and total missing data, missing values are imputed.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
This rate can only be calculated for External Trade in Services, not yet calculated.
18.6. Adjustment
ETS (External trade statistics in services ) and ITSS-figures are not subjected to any seasonal adjustments at the moment.
(Only external trade statistcs in goods are seasonally adjusted separately and also as a part of the quarterly national accounts calculations.)
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
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.
Legal unit
The activity breakdown covers NACE sections from A to U.
The product breakdown covers EBOPS 2010 main items.
Norway as geographical area.
All geographical regions of the mainland are included in addition to Svalbard, Jan Mayen etc. for NACE categories.
Calendar year.
Various challenges exist in terms of data compilation due to discrepancies between national accounts data and microdata.
National accounts data (ITSS) are in some instances higher and in other instances lower, compared to source data (ETS) .
These deviations are being adjusted in the compilation process.
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.
ETS (External trade statistics in services) is one of the main sources of ITSS and cover mainly non-financial enterprises.
From the population, a sample of enterprises is drawn stratified simply by chance. To allocate the sample between the strata, optimal allocation has been used.
Many of the reporting enterprises are involved in huge projects, this can affect the data collected, especially when large projects are created and are completed.
A weakness of the statistic can be due to non-response. To overcome this problem with both partial- and total missing data, missing values are imputed.
The data is largely based on ETS , which is a sample survey. Administrative data (the Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises (CREE)) is also used by linking the enterprises to the NACE.
Structural business statistics as well as quarterly travel survey are also used in addition to FATS data ; so one can refer to the STEC compilation as a multisource process.
Enclosed please find the methodological document that is drafted in connection with the 2019 STEC-compilation.
From a methodological point of view, the comparability across countries is ensured by the implementation of the concepts and definitions set up by the EU legislation and by the application of the complementary guidelines provided by the European business statistics Compilers guide for statistics on services trade by enterprise characteristics (STEC).
The methods and compilations done for each year previous to 2022 data, may have had varied compilation methods.
Thus, the comparisons over time should be done on the basis of aggregates if this is strictly necessary.
