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.
Foreign Affiliates Statistics (FATS) measure the commercial presence through affiliates in foreign markets.
In country-level business statistics outward foreign affiliates statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of domestic affiliates of every resident ultimate controlling institutional unit which has at least one foreign affiliate and the activity of foreign-controlling enterprises resident in the compiling country (Table 15 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
In statistics on international activities outward foreign affiliates statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of foreign affiliates abroad ultimately controlled by an institutional unit resident in the compiling country (Table 33 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
Variables on country-level business activities in the OFATS data category:
Number of foreign-controlling enterprises (UCI concept) and domestic affiliates
Number of employees and self-employed persons in foreign-controlling enterprises (UCI concept) and domestic affiliates
Net turnover of foreign-controlling enterprises (UCI concept) and domestic affiliates
Variables on the international activities in the OFATS data category:
Number of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Number of employees and self-employed persons in enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Employee benefits expense in enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Gross investment in tangible non-current assets of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Net turnover of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
3.2. Classification system
Classification systems used in the FATS are as follows:
Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community (NACE Rev. 2);
List of 2-digit country codes (ISO 3166-1);
Currency codes (ISO 4217).
3.3. Coverage - sector
Market producers of NACE Sections B to N and P to S.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
In country-level business statistics Outward Foreign Affiliates Statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of domestic affiliates of every resident ultimate controlling institutional unit which has at least one foreign affiliate and the activity of foreign-controlling enterprises resident in the compiling country (Table 15 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
In statistics on international activities Outward Foreign Affiliates Statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of foreign affiliates abroad ultimately controlled by an institutional unit resident in the compiling country (Table 33 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
Foreign affiliate in the framework of outward FATS is an enterprise or branch not resident in the compiling country over which an institutional unit resident in the compiling country has ultimate (direct or indirect) control.
Domestic affiliate shall mean an enterprise resident in the compiling country over which a UCI resident in the same compiling country has control.
Ultimate Controlling Institutional of a foreign affiliate (UCI) shall mean the institutional unit, proceeding up a foreign affiliate’s chain of control, which is not controlled by another institutional unit.
Control is the ability to determine the general policy of the affiliate by choosing appropriate directors, if necessary. In this context, enterprise A is deemed to be controlled by an institutional unit B when B controls, whether directly or indirectly, more than half of the shareholders' voting power or more than half of the shares.
Indirect control means that an institutional unit may have control through another affiliate which has control over enterprise A.
Active enterprise is a statistical units which at any time during the reference period was ‘enterprise’, as defined in Regulation (EEC) No 696/93, and also active during the same reference period. A statistical unit is considered to have been active during the reference period if, in said period, it either realized positive net turnover or produced outputs or had employees or performed investments.
Employees and self-employed persons are persons who work for an observation unit on the basis of a contract of employment and receives compensation in the form of wages, salaries, fees, gratuities, piecework pay or remuneration in kind; and persons who are the sole owners or joint owners of the statistical unit in which they work. Family workers and outworkers, whose income is a function of the value of the outputs of the statistical unit, are also included.
Employee benefits expense contains all expenses arising in relation with employee benefits, recognized by the statistical unit during the reference period. Those are are all forms of consideration given by the statistical unit in exchange for service rendered by employees or for the termination of employment.
Gross investment in tangible non-current assets includes all additions to tangible non-current assets, recognized as such by the statistical unit during the reference period, except any increases from revaluations or reversals of previously recognized impairment losses and from reclassifications (transfers) of other tangible non-current assets.
Net turnover consists of all income arising during the reference period in the course of ordinary activities of the statistical unit, and is presented net of all price reductions, discounts and rebates granted by it.
Description of the coverage of Special Purpose Entities (SPE): For reference year 2023, there were 4 SPEs in the NSBR: all SPEs are classified in NACE activity 64201, and in the size group by persons employed 1-9. NSBR receives information about SPEs from the central bank (Bank of Estonia), which deals with identifying them and determines the kind of activity.
Description of the treatment of equally shared control: Firstly the UCI country of the legal person(s) (or the chain of control) is determined. If an enterprise is controlled by a) a juridical person and a natural person from different countries with equally 50% of the voting rights, and no additional information is available then the UCI is attributed to the UCI unit country of a juridical person. b) two natural persons, one from Estonia and the other from another country with equally 50% of the voting rights, and no additional information is available then the UCI is attributed to Estonia. c) two juridical persons, one from Estonia and the other from another country with equally 50% of the voting rights and no additional information is available, the UCI is attributed to Estonia. d) two juridical persons from different EU Member States with equally 50% of the voting rights and no additional information is available, then the UCI is coded as equally-shared control of UCIs of more than one Member State. e) juridical persons from EU Member State and a juridical person from non-EU Member State with equally 50% of the voting rights and no additional information is available, then the UCI is attributed to EU Member State.
Description of the treatment of multiple minority ownership: In case of absence of the majority ownership (three or more owners), firstly the UCI country of the legal person is determined. Then, a) if the total of voting rights of the Estonian owners is 50% or more and no additional information is available, the UCI is attributed to Estonia; b) if the total of voting rights of owners from one country is more than 50% and no additional information is available, the UCI is attributed to the country. c) if the total of voting rights of owners from different EU Member States is more than 50% and no additional information is available, the UCI is coded as equally-shared control of UCIs of more than one Member State. d) if the total of voting rights of owners from different countries is more than 50% and owners from different EU Member States have majority and no additional information is available, the UCI is coded as equally-shared control of UCIs of more than one Member State. e) if the total of voting rights of owners from different countries is more than 50% and owners from extra –EU Member States have majority and no additional information is available, the UCI is coded as extra EU-27 not allocated.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit of FATS is the enterprise as defined in line with the Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 on the statistical units for the observation and analysis of the production system in the Community.
3.6. Statistical population
Market producers of NACE Sections B to N and P to S (for the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 table 15) and market producers of NACE Sections B to N and P to S abroad (should cover the foreign affiliates of all ultimate controlling institutional units of the reporting country) (for the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 table 33).
3.7. Reference area
Estonia.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Data are available from 2007 till 2023.
From the start of 2018 Statistics Estonia took over responsibility for the economic statistics of foreign subsidiary companies (i.e. OFATS) from Bank of Estonia. Thus, starting from reference year 2017 Statistics Estonia is responsible for the production of Outward FATS.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data are available from 2021.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of enterprises and employment variables are recorded in absolute figures.
Monetary data of enterprises are recorded in thousands of euros.
2023
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided in § 34 and § 35 of the Official Statistics Act.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
According to the Official Statistics Act and the regulation of the Government of the Republic of Estonia, the data are published and transmitted without characteristics that permit identification of the respondents. The data have to be classified into groups of at least three units (primary confidentiality — too few enterprises), while the share of data relating to each unit in aggregate data does not exceed x% (primary confidentiality — one enterprise dominates the data, x denotes dominance limit in Statistics Estonia and its value is confidential). The criteria of dominance for turnover was applied. To protect the primary confidential cells, the secondary confidential cells were determined by using R package sdcTable. Only the number of units is published in case of confidentiality reasons that preclude the publication of the data. The confidential data in the total database is caused by the detailed activity and employment size class breakdown. As Estonia is a small country the rate of confidential cells is considerable.
Please see Table 7.2. in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_1.xlsx" in Annexes.
8.1. Release calendar
National Outward FATS data are published once a year on Statistical Database. Release dates are announced in the release calendar by 1 October each year, which is available on the website of Statistics Estonia.
8.2. Release calendar access
Release calendar can be found at the website of Statistics Estonia.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, Statistics Estonia disseminates national Outward FATS statistics on Statistics Estonia’s website respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.
According to the Official Statistics Act, a producer of official statistics shall disseminate official statistics pursuant to the release calendar published on its website.
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.
ESMS (Euro-SDMX Metadata Structure) metadata based on the SDMX Cross-Domain Concepts is published on the Statistics Estonian website in Estonian and English. Including "Financial statistics of foreign affiliates" (statistical activity code 20319), on which Outward FATS is based.
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
Statistics Estonia performs all statistical activities according to an international model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process (this information includes, among other things, feedback from users, process metadata, system metrics and suggestions from employees). This information is used to prepare the evaluation report which outlines all the quality problems related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions. The overall assessment of the quality of FATS data is good. Data quality is in accordance with principles of accuracy and reliability, timeliness and punctuality, coherence and compatibility.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Users of Outward FATS are: European Commission services, international organisations, ministries, chambers of commerce, trade unions, journalists, researches ets.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No consumer research has been conducted.
12.3. Completeness
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Some indicators or groupings are not presented based on the derogation or the 1% rule.
Derogation is according to COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/1003 of 18 June 2021 granting derogations to certain Member States with respect to the transmission of statistics pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197.
This applies to the following variables:
Number of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Number of employees and self-employed persons in enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Net turnover of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
for the geographical breakdown: GEO level 2 and GEO level 3 for ‘Enterprises abroad in EU Member States ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country’.
On the basis of the 1%-rule referred in the EBS Regulation, Statistics Estonia requested for exemption from transmitting the following variables:
Employee benefits expense in enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Gross investment in tangible non-current assets of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
for all activity and geographical breakdowns.
According to ex-ante assessment for Outward FATS carried out by Eurostat, the condition of the 1% rule has been fullfilled.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Please see Table 12.3.1 in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_2.xlsx" in Annexes.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The data is based on a census survey. The survey population comprises enterprises included in the register of economically active enterprises called the Statistical Profile, which have affiliates outside the European Union. The data has been collected on the basis of the annual statistical questionnaire “Financial statistics on foreign affiliates”. An enterprise is included into the survey frame if it owned foreign subsidiary at the end of the reference year and its UCI was Estonian resident at that moment.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
The data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data collected in the framework of the SBS surveys. Among them, non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR has the largest by number of enterprises. The data is obtained by combining the statistical questionnaire and administrative information. For characteristics missing in administrative information model based estimate is used, also donor imputation and mean value imputation methods are applied. The most important sources of errors are nonresponse and modelling errors when using administrative information.
The information of foreign-controlling enterprises and domestic affiliates under domestic control is received from statistical business register.
13.1.1. Use of residual geographic codes (Extra EU-27 not allocated, etc.)
The residual geographic codes are not used.
Please see Table 13.1. in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_3.xlsx" in Annexes.
13.1.2. Use of residual activity codes (NACE activity “not allocated”)
The residual NACE activity codes are not used.
Please see Table 13.1. in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_3.xlsx" in Annexes.
13.1.3. Comments on the Extra EU-27 not allocated and on the Activity “not allocated”
The residual geographic and NACE activity codes are not used.
13.1.4. UCI Approach applied to identify the relevant population of reporting units
The UCI approach applied to identify the relevant population of reporting units. The main data sources used to identify the reporting units (UCIs) are Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the Enterprise Group Register held by Statistics Estonia.
13.1.5. Update date (or frequency of updates) of the information regarding the country of the UCI by the “source administration”
The ownership information in the enterprise group register (held by Statistics Estonia) is updated regularly and allows to identify UCI-s at the end of the reference year. It does not delay the compilation process for Outward FATS.
13.2. Sampling error
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The sampling error is not applicable. Data is based on a census survey.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Sampling is not used. Data on country-level business statistics are compiled from the SBS surveys, which are comprehensive surveys (data are obtained from a statistical questionnaire and administrative sources).
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Data is based on a census survey.
Data is available for all active enterprises:
collected with the statisticat questionnaire or
imputed (based on the information from previous year or from over the previous year, group mean imputation).
The influence of non-sampling error is small.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data produced in the framework of the SBS surveys (non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR, surveys for insurance companies, surveys for financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities enterprises) are used to produce OFATS.
Data is available for all active enterprises:
received from administrative source or
collected with the statistical questionnaire or
imputed (mean value imputation, donor imputation)
The influence of non-sampling error is small.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Not applicable.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data collected in the framework of the SBS surveys. The data source is statistical survey combined with administrative information. The main administrative source is companies’ annual reports from Commercial Register (under Ministry of Justice). For SBS, non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR has the largest by number of enterprises. Annual reports are used in the pre-filling of statistical questionnaires in the data collection system eSTAT. Non-financial enterprises that submitted a statistical questionnaire EKOMAR and also had submitted an annual report (%).
2021
90.3
2022
93.5
2023
92.3
13.3.1.3. Misclassification errors
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Misclassification could be in kind of activity or country of location. To mimimize the problem this information also asked by questionnaire. Mostly kind of activity and country of location was prefilled in questionnaires, if it was not correct, the data providers have the possibility to correct it.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Not applicable.
13.3.1.4. Under- and over-coverage problems
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The over-coverage has been minimized due to the harmonized approach to the UCI-s with the inward FATS. Both statistical activities (OFATS and IFATS) use the same business register for frames. The under-coverage problems are linked with the use of reporting unit. The UCI unit can be legal or natural person. In case the UCI is natural person, the OFATS data collection is hampered as according to the Official Statistics Act natural persons are not (always) obliged to submit data.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not available.
13.3.3. Non response error
Unit non-response occurs when not all the reporting units in the sample participate in the survey.
Item non-response occurs when a respondent provides some, but not all, of the information requested or if the information reported is unusable (note that entirely unusable questionnaires are already counted in the unit non-response).
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Please see Table 13.3.3. in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_4.xlsx" in Annexes.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Please see Table 13.3.3. in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_4.xlsx" in Annexes.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Outward FATS statistics are calculated annually for reference year T.
Data transmission to Eurostat takes place at t+20 months.
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Data collection takes place at t+11 months after the end of the reference period.
Data dissemination at national level takes place at t+20 months.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data collection takes place at t+6 months after the end of the reference period (SBS data).
Data are not disseminated at national level.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
T+20 months.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
T+20 months.
14.2. Punctuality
The punctuality of the data collection and dissemination were respected. The time lag between the actual delivery of the data and the target date when it should have been delivered - 0 days.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Outward FATS data were transmitted to Eurostat on time, on August 29 (T+20 months).
The table EM062: OUTWARD FOREIGN AFFILIATES STATISTICS (OFATS) was published in the statistical database, which is on the Estonian statistics website, on the date specified in the release calendar, August 29 (T+20 months).
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Not applicable.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The length of the time series: 2007 - 2023.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data are available starting from 2021.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Length of time series: 2007 - 2023.
Length of comparable time series: 2007 - 2023.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data are available starting from 2021.
15.2.2. Reasons and differences in concepts and measurement methods for breaks in time series
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
From the start of 2018 Statistics Estonia took over responsibility for the economic statistics of foreign subsidiary companies (i.e. OFATS) from Bank of Estonia. Thus, starting from reference year 2017 Statistics Estonia is responsible for the production of Outward FATS.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Outward FATS uses UCI information from the national statistical business register (NSBR). This has created coherence between OFATS and NSBR.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
The data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. variable values are the same in both data set. The main stratification indicators - UCI country, kind of activity, employment size class - are obtained from the National Statistics Business Register (NSBR). This has created coherence between OFATS, SBS and NSBR.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not available.
15.3.3. Coherence – Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Not available.
15.3.4. Coherence – EuroGroups Register (EGR)
Outward FATS uses UCI information from the national statistical business register (NSBR). There may be inconsistencies between NSBR and EGR. NSBR uses EGR to verify the information on GGH and GDC country, but not always can data from EGR be accepted. In some cases data in NSBR is more up-to-date.
15.4. Coherence - internal
No inconsistencies.
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The data has been collected on the basis of the annual statistical web based questionnaire “Financial statistics on foreign affiliates”.
Cost and burden - not available.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
There are no separate questionnaires for data on country-level business statistics data collection. Data are a subset of SBS data i.e. data collected in the framework of the SBS surveys (non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR, surveys for insurance companies, surveys for financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities enterprises) are used to produce statistics. The information of foreign-controlling enterprises and domestic affiliates under domestic control is received from statistical business register.
Regular revisions are not forseen. Irregular revisions are unplanned and are made to correct significant errors.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for total NACE activities (BTSXO) and the partner Rest of the World (W1).
ENT
EMPL
EXPN_SAL_BEN
GRSINV_TNCA
TOVT
2020
0.0
0.0
0.0
2021
0.0
0.0
x
x
0.0
2022
0.0
0.0
x
x
0.0
x – Not applicable. 1% rule (Eurostat ref. no. Ares(2023)192192 – 12 January 2023).
Please see Table 17.2. in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_5.xlsx" in Annexes.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for total NACE activities (BTSXO).
ENT
EMPL
TOVT
2020
x
x
x
2021
13.8
3.1
0.0
2022
0.0
0.0
0.0
x – Not applicable. 2021 is the first reference year.
The NACE K data for the reference year 2021 have been revised when compiling the data for the reference year 2022. The data of other activities remained unchanged and thus the entire change comes from the activity NACE K.
Please see Table 17.2. in the file "EBSFATS_OUTWNSI_A_EE_2023_0000_an_5.xlsx" in Annexes.
18.1. Source data
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The data is based on a census survey. The survey population comprises enterprises included in the register of economically active enterprises called the Statistical Profile, which have affiliates outside the European Union. The data has been collected on the basis of the annual statistical questionnaire “Financial statistics on foreign affiliates”. An enterprise is included into the survey frame if it owned foreign subsidary at the end of the reference year and its UCI was Estonian resident at that moment.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
The data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data collected in the framework of the SBS surveys (non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR, surveys for insurance companies, surveys for financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities enterprises) are used to produce OFATS.
The information of foreign-controlling enterprises and domestic affiliates under domestic control is received from statistical business register.
18.1.1. Methodological approach
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Business Register (for statistical purposes) — 100% (UCI information).
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Dependence on: SBS — 100% (economic information), Business Register (for statistical purposes) — 100% (information of foreign-controlling enterprises and domestic affiliates under domestic control).
18.1.2. Use of cut-off thresholds
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The survey population comprises enterprises included in the register of economically active enterprises called the Statistical Profile, which have affiliates outside the European Union. Data is collected only about subsidiaries outside European Union countries.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
No thresholds are used.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
Statistics Estonia uses the web-based electronic data collection system eSTAT. Statistical questionnaires are prefilled with data from different administative sources. Variables that are not available in administrative sources are added by data providers. eSTAT gives to data provider a possibility before submission of questionnaire to check the correctness of data and correct the errors. There are mostly arithmetical checks - completeness, internal consistency, plausibility checks.
Source to define your population:
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
... % census survey
0%
0%
... % sample survey
0%
0%
... % Structural Business Statistics (SBS)
0%
100%
... % Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
0%
0%
... % EuroGroups Register (EGR)
0%
0%
... % Statistical Business Register (SBR)
100%
0%
... % Administrative sources
0%
0%
... % Private data sources
0%
0%
... % Publicly available sources
0%
0%
... % Other data sources (indication of the sources: ...)
0%
0%
Economic data obtained using:
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
... % census survey
100%
0%
... % sample survey
0%
0%
... % Structural Business Statistics (SBS)
0%
100%
... % Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
0%
0%
... % EuroGroups Register (EGR)
0%
0%
... % Statistical Business Register (SBR)
0%
0%
... % Administrative sources
0%
0%
... % Private data sources
0%
0%
... % Publicly available sources
0%
0%
... % Other data sources (indication of the sources: ...)
0%
0%
18.4. Data validation
Statistics Estonia uses the web-based electronic data collection system eSTAT which gives to data provider a possibility before submission of report to check the correctness of data and correct the errors. There are mostly arithmetical checks.
In data processing phase (using data processing information system VAIS) the data editing continues by using a lot of arithmetical — completeness, internal consistency, plausibility — checks.
18.5. Data compilation
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Estonian Outward FATS is a census survey. The data has been collected on the basis of the annual statistical questionnaire “Financial statistics on foreign affiliates”. The data of non-responded enterprises were imputed. Thus, grossing-up methods are not necessary.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
The data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data produced in the framework of the SBS surveys (non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR, surveys for insurance companies, surveys for financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities enterprises) are used to produce statistics.
Starting from reference year 2019 SBS data is available for all active enterprises at individual level.
The methodology to obtain the data for non-financial enterprises (survey EKOMAR) is sample survey combined with administrative information. For imputation the available information from administrative source i.e. in annual reports are used. For characteristics missing in annual reports model based estimate is used. In case of absence of annual reports also donor imputation and mean value imputation methods are applied.
All insurance companies (NACE 65) are surveyed.
Methodology for obtaining financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities’ enterprises is sample survey combined with administrative information. Data on central banking (NACE 6411)are received from the annual report. Data on other monetary intermediation (NACE 6419) are received from Bank of Estonia. For other financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities’ enterprises data on received from statistical surveys and from administrative source i.e. in annual reports are used.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Number of enterprises
Number of employees and self-employed persons
Net turnover
Statistical questionnaire
96.3%
97.2%
98.3%
Imputed data
3.7%
2.8%
1.7%
18.5.2. Use of a method to deal with non-response (both unit and item non-response)
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Missing variables are imputed based on the information from previous year or from over the previous year. If not available, then turnover and number of employees were imputed using the group mean imputation or donor imputation. For missing kind of activity the activity of the subsidiary indicated in the annual report of the parent company or the acitvity of the parent company indicated in the annual report was used, exceptions are activities of holding companies (NACE 6420) and activities of head offices (NACE 7010).
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
For imputation the available information from administrative source i.e. in annual reports is used. For characteristics missing in annual reports model based estimate is used. In case of absence of annual reports also donor imputation and mean value imputation methods are applied.
18.5.3. Share of estimated values
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Number of enterprises
Number of employees and self-employed persons
Net turnover
Statistical questionnaire
96.3%
97.2%
98.3%
Imputed with previous year data
1.2%
1.5%
0.6%
Imputed with over the previous year data
0.7%
0.1%
0.2%
Donor imputation
1.0%
0.5%
0.3%
Group mean imputation
0.8%
0.7%
0.6%
18.6. Adjustment
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Not available.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data produced in the framework of the SBS surveys (non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR, surveys for insurance companies, surveys for financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities enterprises) are used to produce OFATS.
SBS data refer to a calendar year (or in some exceptional cases, a 12-month period beginning or ending in the reporting year).
Foreign Affiliates Statistics (FATS) measure the commercial presence through affiliates in foreign markets.
In country-level business statistics outward foreign affiliates statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of domestic affiliates of every resident ultimate controlling institutional unit which has at least one foreign affiliate and the activity of foreign-controlling enterprises resident in the compiling country (Table 15 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
In statistics on international activities outward foreign affiliates statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of foreign affiliates abroad ultimately controlled by an institutional unit resident in the compiling country (Table 33 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
Variables on country-level business activities in the OFATS data category:
Number of foreign-controlling enterprises (UCI concept) and domestic affiliates
Number of employees and self-employed persons in foreign-controlling enterprises (UCI concept) and domestic affiliates
Net turnover of foreign-controlling enterprises (UCI concept) and domestic affiliates
Variables on the international activities in the OFATS data category:
Number of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Number of employees and self-employed persons in enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Employee benefits expense in enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Gross investment in tangible non-current assets of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
Net turnover of enterprises abroad ultimately controlled by institutional units of the reporting country
29 October 2025
In country-level business statistics Outward Foreign Affiliates Statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of domestic affiliates of every resident ultimate controlling institutional unit which has at least one foreign affiliate and the activity of foreign-controlling enterprises resident in the compiling country (Table 15 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
In statistics on international activities Outward Foreign Affiliates Statistics (OFATS) describe the activity of foreign affiliates abroad ultimately controlled by an institutional unit resident in the compiling country (Table 33 of the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197).
Foreign affiliate in the framework of outward FATS is an enterprise or branch not resident in the compiling country over which an institutional unit resident in the compiling country has ultimate (direct or indirect) control.
Domestic affiliate shall mean an enterprise resident in the compiling country over which a UCI resident in the same compiling country has control.
Ultimate Controlling Institutional of a foreign affiliate (UCI) shall mean the institutional unit, proceeding up a foreign affiliate’s chain of control, which is not controlled by another institutional unit.
Control is the ability to determine the general policy of the affiliate by choosing appropriate directors, if necessary. In this context, enterprise A is deemed to be controlled by an institutional unit B when B controls, whether directly or indirectly, more than half of the shareholders' voting power or more than half of the shares.
Indirect control means that an institutional unit may have control through another affiliate which has control over enterprise A.
Active enterprise is a statistical units which at any time during the reference period was ‘enterprise’, as defined in Regulation (EEC) No 696/93, and also active during the same reference period. A statistical unit is considered to have been active during the reference period if, in said period, it either realized positive net turnover or produced outputs or had employees or performed investments.
Employees and self-employed persons are persons who work for an observation unit on the basis of a contract of employment and receives compensation in the form of wages, salaries, fees, gratuities, piecework pay or remuneration in kind; and persons who are the sole owners or joint owners of the statistical unit in which they work. Family workers and outworkers, whose income is a function of the value of the outputs of the statistical unit, are also included.
Employee benefits expense contains all expenses arising in relation with employee benefits, recognized by the statistical unit during the reference period. Those are are all forms of consideration given by the statistical unit in exchange for service rendered by employees or for the termination of employment.
Gross investment in tangible non-current assets includes all additions to tangible non-current assets, recognized as such by the statistical unit during the reference period, except any increases from revaluations or reversals of previously recognized impairment losses and from reclassifications (transfers) of other tangible non-current assets.
Net turnover consists of all income arising during the reference period in the course of ordinary activities of the statistical unit, and is presented net of all price reductions, discounts and rebates granted by it.
Description of the coverage of Special Purpose Entities (SPE): For reference year 2023, there were 4 SPEs in the NSBR: all SPEs are classified in NACE activity 64201, and in the size group by persons employed 1-9. NSBR receives information about SPEs from the central bank (Bank of Estonia), which deals with identifying them and determines the kind of activity.
Description of the treatment of equally shared control: Firstly the UCI country of the legal person(s) (or the chain of control) is determined. If an enterprise is controlled by a) a juridical person and a natural person from different countries with equally 50% of the voting rights, and no additional information is available then the UCI is attributed to the UCI unit country of a juridical person. b) two natural persons, one from Estonia and the other from another country with equally 50% of the voting rights, and no additional information is available then the UCI is attributed to Estonia. c) two juridical persons, one from Estonia and the other from another country with equally 50% of the voting rights and no additional information is available, the UCI is attributed to Estonia. d) two juridical persons from different EU Member States with equally 50% of the voting rights and no additional information is available, then the UCI is coded as equally-shared control of UCIs of more than one Member State. e) juridical persons from EU Member State and a juridical person from non-EU Member State with equally 50% of the voting rights and no additional information is available, then the UCI is attributed to EU Member State.
Description of the treatment of multiple minority ownership: In case of absence of the majority ownership (three or more owners), firstly the UCI country of the legal person is determined. Then, a) if the total of voting rights of the Estonian owners is 50% or more and no additional information is available, the UCI is attributed to Estonia; b) if the total of voting rights of owners from one country is more than 50% and no additional information is available, the UCI is attributed to the country. c) if the total of voting rights of owners from different EU Member States is more than 50% and no additional information is available, the UCI is coded as equally-shared control of UCIs of more than one Member State. d) if the total of voting rights of owners from different countries is more than 50% and owners from different EU Member States have majority and no additional information is available, the UCI is coded as equally-shared control of UCIs of more than one Member State. e) if the total of voting rights of owners from different countries is more than 50% and owners from extra –EU Member States have majority and no additional information is available, the UCI is coded as extra EU-27 not allocated.
The statistical unit of FATS is the enterprise as defined in line with the Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 on the statistical units for the observation and analysis of the production system in the Community.
Market producers of NACE Sections B to N and P to S (for the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 table 15) and market producers of NACE Sections B to N and P to S abroad (should cover the foreign affiliates of all ultimate controlling institutional units of the reporting country) (for the EBS Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 table 33).
Estonia.
2023
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The data is based on a census survey. The survey population comprises enterprises included in the register of economically active enterprises called the Statistical Profile, which have affiliates outside the European Union. The data has been collected on the basis of the annual statistical questionnaire “Financial statistics on foreign affiliates”. An enterprise is included into the survey frame if it owned foreign subsidiary at the end of the reference year and its UCI was Estonian resident at that moment.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
The data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data collected in the framework of the SBS surveys. Among them, non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR has the largest by number of enterprises. The data is obtained by combining the statistical questionnaire and administrative information. For characteristics missing in administrative information model based estimate is used, also donor imputation and mean value imputation methods are applied. The most important sources of errors are nonresponse and modelling errors when using administrative information.
The information of foreign-controlling enterprises and domestic affiliates under domestic control is received from statistical business register.
Number of enterprises and employment variables are recorded in absolute figures.
Monetary data of enterprises are recorded in thousands of euros.
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Estonian Outward FATS is a census survey. The data has been collected on the basis of the annual statistical questionnaire “Financial statistics on foreign affiliates”. The data of non-responded enterprises were imputed. Thus, grossing-up methods are not necessary.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
The data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data produced in the framework of the SBS surveys (non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR, surveys for insurance companies, surveys for financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities enterprises) are used to produce statistics.
Starting from reference year 2019 SBS data is available for all active enterprises at individual level.
The methodology to obtain the data for non-financial enterprises (survey EKOMAR) is sample survey combined with administrative information. For imputation the available information from administrative source i.e. in annual reports are used. For characteristics missing in annual reports model based estimate is used. In case of absence of annual reports also donor imputation and mean value imputation methods are applied.
All insurance companies (NACE 65) are surveyed.
Methodology for obtaining financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities’ enterprises is sample survey combined with administrative information. Data on central banking (NACE 6411)are received from the annual report. Data on other monetary intermediation (NACE 6419) are received from Bank of Estonia. For other financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities’ enterprises data on received from statistical surveys and from administrative source i.e. in annual reports are used.
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The data is based on a census survey. The survey population comprises enterprises included in the register of economically active enterprises called the Statistical Profile, which have affiliates outside the European Union. The data has been collected on the basis of the annual statistical questionnaire “Financial statistics on foreign affiliates”. An enterprise is included into the survey frame if it owned foreign subsidary at the end of the reference year and its UCI was Estonian resident at that moment.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
The data on country-level business statistics are a subset of SBS data i.e. data collected in the framework of the SBS surveys (non-financial enterprises survey EKOMAR, surveys for insurance companies, surveys for financial service and auxiliary to financial services activities enterprises) are used to produce OFATS.
The information of foreign-controlling enterprises and domestic affiliates under domestic control is received from statistical business register.
Annual.
Outward FATS statistics are calculated annually for reference year T.
Data transmission to Eurostat takes place at t+20 months.
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
Data collection takes place at t+11 months after the end of the reference period.
Data dissemination at national level takes place at t+20 months.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
Data collection takes place at t+6 months after the end of the reference period (SBS data).
Data are not disseminated at national level.
Not applicable.
Data on the international activities in the OFATS (Table 33)
The length of the time series: 2007 - 2023.
Data on country-level business activities in the OFATS (Table 15)
