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 statisticsoutward 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 statisticsOutward 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.
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
Finland
3.8. Coverage - Time
Time series onwards from statistical year 2021. Before that: The statistics on Finnish affiliates abroad are comparable from 2013 onwards, following the commissioning of the YTY enterprise data system. However, comparable data are available from 2007 to 2012. Their comparability over time is weakened by changes in the industry structure, for example.
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 EUR.
2023
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice. Statistics Finland disseminates national OFATS statistics on website respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
online publication t + 14. Online publication includes national publication and data base.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
statistical yearbook is yearly ebook available online. Printed book is no longer available.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
online database includes 3 tables (finnish affiliates abroad by countrygroup, country and nace classification)
Specific tool (Edamis) maintained by Eurostat for validation of OFATS-series. All enterprises go through automatic data validation and enterprises with biggest errors are manually corrected. Also biggest companies are manually checked. The quality management framework of the field of statistics is the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP). The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice. Further information: Quality management | Statistics Finland(stat.fi) The quality of OFATS is examined as the data accumulate. At aggregate level, the data are compared with the previous year and the most significant changes are examined.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality of the statistics on Finnish affiliates abroad is examined as the data accumulate. At aggregate level, the data are compared with the previous year and the biggest differences are explained. In addition, Eurostat also assesses the quality of the statistics in connection with data transmission.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Main users of the data are
internal: research services, other departments in our institution, enterprises, media, ministries, etc
external: eurostat, oecd.
National data also includes enterprises which are linked abroad via Finland.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Finland does not systematically collect feedback from end users of outward FATS data. Cooperation with internal users is at a preliminary stage (national accounts, international trade in services, profiling of large enterprise groups, business register).
The following end user groups have requested outward FATS data:
1) Industry Confederations and Labour Unions. The objective of the use is typically a comparison of Finnish enterpise groups' activities in Finland to their activities outside Finland. Characteristics of interest are number of enterprises, number of employees, turnover, gross investments, number of R&D personnel and R&D expenditure (which have been collected from the statistical year 2008 onwards) classified by economic activity and geographical location. Often the use of the economic activity of the enterprise group is preferred to the outward FATS definition of the economic activity, i.e. that of the affiliate.
2) Association of internationalization expertise of Finnish companies (Finpro). Enquiries typically concern the quantity and location of Finnish enterprise groups in specific geographical areas. Characteristics of interest are number of enterprises, number of employees, turnover and gross investments. Also, experts of specific regions have commented the accuracy of data published.
3) Firms including management consulting firms. Enquiries typically concern the number and location of Finnish enterprise groups in specific geographical areas. Number of enterprises, number of employees and turnover have been characteristics of interest. Often motivation behind these enquiries is strategic planning of one's own business activities (lawyer's offices, employment agencies and other business service providers). More recently, the objective of some requests has been a comparison of inward and outward FATS data between Nordic countries. Some of these requests have been redirected to Eurostat FATS databases.
4) Researchers and university students. Enquiries typically concern general indicators of progress of globalisation process of specific industries. Characteristics of interest are number of enterprises, number of employees, turnover and gross investments.
12.3. Completeness
We are providing all the relevant data required by FATS regulations.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Please see Table 12.3.1 in the Annex
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The statistics represent total data, with the following notes: (1) Reporting units, i.e. parent companies located in Finland, are retrieved from Statistics Finland’s Enterprise Group Register, which can be considered comprehensive concerning enterprises that have had numerous affiliates abroad already for a longer period of time. On the other hand, the coverage is slightly weaker for smaller groups with only a few affiliates or more recent groups. Smaller groups (measured by the number of affiliates located abroad) and more recent groups are typically displayed in the Enterprise Group Register after a couple of years. The significance of this under-coverage of smaller and more recent enterprise groups is almost negligible at an aggregated level (number of employees, personnel costs, gross investments in tangible assets and turnover). (2) The completion and revision of missing or otherwise incomplete data is a particular challenge in these statistics, because the statistical units, i.e. affiliates and branches, are located in many different countries and operate in many different industries. The accuracy of the data has been checked by comparing the characteristics with the corresponding data from previous years and the data published in annual reports. Imputation has not been used in statistics. However, the response rate of statistics is remarkably high, so there is no significant under-coverage in this respect.
No sampling is done. For all other characteristics except for number of enterprises, the only source is the survey. The target population of reporting units as well as the target population of statistical units are obtained from the enterprise group register.
Overall accuracy of data should be very good. If there are found misclassifications between national publication and eurostat data, all the corrections are made to eurostat data. National data final lockdown date is in end of march, one month prior to national publication taking place 30th April 2025.
13.1.1. Use of residual geographic codes (Extra EU-27 not allocated, etc.)
Please see Table 13.1.in the Annex
13.1.2. Use of residual activity codes (NACE activity “not allocated”)
Please see Table 13.1. in the Annex
13.1.3. Comments on the Extra EU-27 not allocated and on the Activity “not allocated”
Not applicable: data contains all available country and activity codes.
13.1.4. UCI Approach applied to identify the relevant population of reporting units
UCI is applied as required in EBS regulation. UCI information is from administrative data and same sourse as SBS/IFATS. Data is obtained from administrative data and if needed updated using most reliable source (for example enterprise online page, annual reports, EGR etc).
13.1.5. Update date (or frequency of updates) of the information regarding the country of the UCI by the “source administration”
annual
13.2. Sampling error
Small. No sampling was carried out.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Even though no sampling was carried out, there may be certain differences between the actual target population and the frame. The actual target population of outward FATS consists of all UCIs locating in Finland who either directly or indirectly control affiliates abroad. Since the survey was addressed to the whole target population of reporting units as identified by the enterprise group register, the frame may be interpreted to be that part of the actual target population that the enterprise group register recognizes. There is likely to be a certain divergence between the actual target population and this frame on small fairly recent enterprise groups. The divergence is due to the lag in updating the register on the part of relatively small enterprises that have acquired their first affiliates abroad during the reference year or the reference year minus some 12 months.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Besides the divergence described in 13.3. , possible under-coverage of Finnish-owned affiliates abroad is due to affiliates not known to the enterprise group register and thus not prefilled in the survey questionnaire. However, respondents were encouraged to correct any deficiencies in the prefilled depiction of their group structure. Many respondents added affiliates, and provided the requested data on them.
Possible over-coverage is due to duplications of affiliates, i.e., affiliates co-owned by two or more Finnish groups. However, an identifying code is given to each affiliate abroad by the enterprise group register. Based on these codes, duplicates of co-owned companies (known to the register) are eliminated from the data.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not available
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not available.
13.3.1.3. Misclassification errors
Some possible error concerning misclassification is due consolidated data.
Affiliates and branches who were reported to have been active even though, for the reason of consolidation, all variable values were zero, are included in the data. As the data are compiled per geographical area and per economic activity for Eurostat, the data are for the majority of geographical and activity breakdown correct except for turnover which lacks the eliminated inter-unit part. Only in cases, where active units with reported zero values locate in a different country or operate in a different economic activity from the unit on which the values are reported, the data transmitted to Eurostat contain errors.
In 2018 survey we added consolidated data button, so respondents can easily tell if they have consolidated affiliates data. Before that we had empty text field, where you could leave additional information and some respondents stated there if they had been using consolidating.
This has little or no effect on quality on data. Share of consolidated data is less than 2%.
13.3.1.4. Under- and over-coverage problems
Besides the divergence described above, possible under-coverage of Finnish-owned affiliates abroad is due to affiliates not known to the enterprise group register and thus not prefilled in the survey questionnaire. However, respondents were encouraged to correct any deficiencies in the prefilled depiction of their group structure. Many respondents added affiliates, and provided the requested data on them.
Possible over-coverage is due to duplications of affiliates, i.e., affiliates co-owned by two or more Finnish groups. However, an identifying code is given to each affiliate abroad by the enterprise group register. Based on these codes, duplicates of co-owned companies (known to the register) are eliminated from the data.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
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
See Table 13.3.3 in the Annex
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
See Table 13.3.3 in the Annex
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
OFATS statistics are calculated annually for reference year T.
Data collection takes place at t+10 months after the end of the reference period.
Data transmission to Eurostat takes place at t+20 months.
Data dissemination at national level takes place at t+16 months.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
National dissemination takes place t + 16. This is also final result. No preliminary data is published before national dissemination.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
National dissemination t + 16.
14.2. Punctuality
Data transmitted on time.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Data is transmitted on time.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Not applicable
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable
15.2. Comparability - over time
The statistics on Finnish affiliates abroad are comparable from 2013 onwards, following the commissioning of the YTY enterprise data system. However, comparable data are available from 2007 to 2012. Their comparability over time is weakened by changes in the industry structure, for example.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Length of time series: 2007-2023
Length of comparable time series: 2007-2012, 2013-2020, 2021-2023
15.2.2. Reasons and differences in concepts and measurement methods for breaks in time series
The Bank of Finland has been responsible for the compilation and transmission of the outward FATS data for reference years 1997 to 2006. Statistics Finland is responsible for the compilation and transmission of the outward FATS data from the reference year 2007 onwards. The main differences that are known to Statistics Finland are:
for years 1997 to 2006, affiliates of all resident owners are considered, irrespective of whether they are controlled by another foreign entity (domestic and foreign controlled). From year 2007 onwards only Finnish-controlled affiliates (UCI approach) are considered.
for years 1997 to 1999, only affiliates whose balance sheet totals are EUR 8.4 million or more are considered. The equivalent threshold for years 2000 to 2006 is EUR 5 million. From year 2007 onwards no thresholds are in use.
the target population of reporting units is different for years 1996 to 2006 compared to years starting from 2007: only a part of resident owners were surveyed for years 1996 to 2006 whereas all Finnish UCIs were surveyed for years starting from 2007. Neither the Bank of Finland (years 1997 to 2006) or Statistics Finland (from year 2007 onwards) has carried out imputation of missing responses.
Statistics Finland renewed its production of business statistics from the statistical reference year 2013. In the review, the production of business statistics was harmonised.
As assumed, different composition of OFATS total in NACE REV 2 and NACE rev 1.1 has minimum effect when compared X9994 and 9994. There are no important changes.
renewal of methodologies 2021 (EBS).
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Statistics Finland has renewed the production of its business statistics. The reform covered more than ten statistics and harmonised the production of business statistics. The most significant changes related to the handling of industrial classification, enterprise data (e.g. turnover and personnel data) and corporate restructuring. The concepts, definitions and classifications of the statistics are consistent with other business statistics from the 2013 reference year onwards. The reference period of the statistics is usually 12 months. However, it should be noted that the reference year of the statistics on Finnish affiliates abroad is not always the same as the calendar year.
The number of employees is the annual average. Turnover includes both internal and external turnover. The definition of “investments” also differs slightly from that commonly used in other statistics: investments only include gross investments in tangible assets.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
not applicable
15.3.3. Coherence – Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
not applicable
15.3.4. Coherence – EuroGroups Register (EGR)
Only small enterprises might have uncoherence between EGR and administative source. Uncoherence is not significant.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The aggregates are always consistent with their main sub-aggregates
The reliability of the statistics is influenced by the quality of the data collected by the electronic survey. The survey was improved through usability tests aimed at respondents during 2009/2010, which examined the ambiguity of the survey questions and the usability of the electronic application.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The statistics are revised if errors are found. There is a procedure at Statistics Finland according to which this is done.
17.2. Data revision - practice
See Table 17.2. in the Annex
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not available
18.1. Source data
the main data sources used to identify UCI such as:
administrative sources,
statistical business register,
EuroGroups Register (if UCI is missing in NSBR).
18.1.1. Methodological approach
Statistics Finland receives information on around 200 - 400 changes in UCIs from administrative sources annually. All the information is verified by Statistics Finland before incorporating it into the enterprise group register. In practise, the validated data are incorporated into the register at the latest by the reference year + 7 months, i.e., by August following the reference year.
The compilation of outward FATS data is not delayed due to the UCI update process since, for the national interest, Finland collects data on all affiliates abroad whose control chain either originates in or traverses Finland, i.e. all affiliates abroad that have a direct or indirect parent company in Finland, irrespective of whether the UCI locates in Finland or outside Finland. Before compiling the outward FATS data for Eurostat, the updated information on the UCIs is available at the enterprise group register and is linked to the outward FATS data. Only the data on affiliates abroad of Finnish UCIs are delivered to Eurostat.
18.1.2. Use of cut-off thresholds
no thresholds are used
18.2. Frequency of data collection
annual
18.3. Data collection
Source to define your population:
5 % census survey
… % sample survey
… % Structural Business Statistics (SBS)
… % Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
… % EuroGroups Register (EGR)
95 % Statistical Business Register (SBR)
… % Administrative sources
… % Private data sources
… % Publicly available sources
… % Other data sources (indication of the sources: ...)
Economic data obtained using:
98 % census survey
… % sample survey
… % Structural Business Statistics (SBS)
… % Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
1 % EuroGroups Register (EGR)
… % Statistical Business Register (SBR)
… % Administrative sources
… % Private data sources
1 % Publicly available sources
… % Other data sources (indication of the sources: online web pages, annual reports...)
18.4. Data validation
The quality of the statistics on Finnish affiliates abroad is examined as the data accumulate. At aggregate level, the data are compared with the previous year and the biggest differences are explained. Top 30 reporting units and it's affiliates are checked manually.
In addition, validation are made with Eurostat data validation tool.
18.5. Data compilation
Imputation methods: No data imputations are made.
Survey data is checked on aggregate level using sql analysis cube. Also manual checks are performed on top 30 reporting units and it's affiliates.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Neither imputation nor inflations are used in the statistics.
18.5.2. Use of a method to deal with non-response (both unit and item non-response)
Respondents are given three weeks to reply to the survey (mail and e-mail). Then the first reminder is sent by post and e-mail to the non-responded, and the second reminder follows in two weeks' time. Right after the second reminder is sent every respondent who has not replied is contacted by phone. Legal measures are mentioned to respondents in order to emphasize the mandatory nature of the inquiry. However, Statistics Finland has not undertaken any legal measures against the non-responded in recent years.
18.5.3. Share of estimated values
not available
18.6. Adjustment
The accounting year is not necessarily same as the calendar year. Corrections are made to convert accounting year data to calendar year data if the accounting year is longer than calendar year.
Foreign Affiliates Statistics (FATS) measure the commercial presence through affiliates in foreign markets.
In country-level business statisticsoutward 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
30 October 2025
In country-level business statisticsOutward 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.
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).
Finland
2023
The statistics represent total data, with the following notes: (1) Reporting units, i.e. parent companies located in Finland, are retrieved from Statistics Finland’s Enterprise Group Register, which can be considered comprehensive concerning enterprises that have had numerous affiliates abroad already for a longer period of time. On the other hand, the coverage is slightly weaker for smaller groups with only a few affiliates or more recent groups. Smaller groups (measured by the number of affiliates located abroad) and more recent groups are typically displayed in the Enterprise Group Register after a couple of years. The significance of this under-coverage of smaller and more recent enterprise groups is almost negligible at an aggregated level (number of employees, personnel costs, gross investments in tangible assets and turnover). (2) The completion and revision of missing or otherwise incomplete data is a particular challenge in these statistics, because the statistical units, i.e. affiliates and branches, are located in many different countries and operate in many different industries. The accuracy of the data has been checked by comparing the characteristics with the corresponding data from previous years and the data published in annual reports. Imputation has not been used in statistics. However, the response rate of statistics is remarkably high, so there is no significant under-coverage in this respect.
No sampling is done. For all other characteristics except for number of enterprises, the only source is the survey. The target population of reporting units as well as the target population of statistical units are obtained from the enterprise group register.
Overall accuracy of data should be very good. If there are found misclassifications between national publication and eurostat data, all the corrections are made to eurostat data. National data final lockdown date is in end of march, one month prior to national publication taking place 30th April 2025.
Number of enterprises and employment variables are recorded in absolute figures.
Monetary data of enterprises are recorded in thousands EUR.
Imputation methods: No data imputations are made.
Survey data is checked on aggregate level using sql analysis cube. Also manual checks are performed on top 30 reporting units and it's affiliates.
the main data sources used to identify UCI such as:
administrative sources,
statistical business register,
EuroGroups Register (if UCI is missing in NSBR).
Annual
OFATS statistics are calculated annually for reference year T.
Data collection takes place at t+10 months after the end of the reference period.
Data transmission to Eurostat takes place at t+20 months.
Data dissemination at national level takes place at t+16 months.
Not applicable
The statistics on Finnish affiliates abroad are comparable from 2013 onwards, following the commissioning of the YTY enterprise data system. However, comparable data are available from 2007 to 2012. Their comparability over time is weakened by changes in the industry structure, for example.
