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.
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1.6. Contact email address
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1.7. Contact phone number
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1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
31 October 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
31 October 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
31 October 2025
3.1. Data description
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.
Special Purpose Entities (SPE) are included in the outward FATS population if they fulfil the definition of a statistical unit enterprise and have a non-zero net turnover, output, employment.
In cases of equally shared control, the dominant investor was identified. For cases where it was not possible to identify a dominant investor, the unit was attributed to the foreign country and excluded from the outward FATS population.
Cases of multiple minority control are included in the outward FATS population when Lithuanian investors hold the majority of votes.
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
Reference area is Lithuania.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data are available from 2003 till 2022.
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 €.
Data refer to the financial year, which in most cases corresponds to the calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
In the process of statistical data collection, processing and analysis and dissemination of statistical information, State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) fully guarantees confidentiality of the data submitted by respondents (households, enterprises, institutions, organisations and other statistical units), as defined in the Confidentiality policy guidelines of the State Data Agency
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Primary and secondary confidentiality rules were applied. Data are considered confidential if the number of units in a cell is less than 3 (primary confidentiality). A minimum frequency rule is applied to identify secondary confidentiality. The identification of confidential data was carried out using T-Argus software. Confidentiality was analyzed manually to reduce the number of confidential cells.
Please see Table 7.2 in the Annex at the bottom.
8.1. Release calendar
Statistical information is published 20 months after the end of the reference period in accordance with the Official Statistics Calendar.
Statistical information is prepared and disseminated under the principle of impartiality and objectivity, i.e. in a systematic, reliable and unbiased manner, following professional and ethical standards (the European Statistics Code of Practice), and the policies and practices followed are transparent to users and survey respondents.
All users have equal access to statistical information. All statistical information is published at the same time – at 9 a.m. on the day of publication of statistical information as indicated in the calendar on the Official Statistics Portal. Relevant statistical information is sent automatically to news subscribers.
Statistical information is published following the Official Statistics Dissemination Policy Guidelines and the Rules for Information Dissemination and Communication of the State Data Agency, approved by Order No DĮ-208 of 8 October 2024 of the Director General of the State Data Agency.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
No press release concerning the results of IFATS data is issued.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
No publication is planned for the current year.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Statistical indicators are published in in the Database of Indicators (Business statistics -> Business structure and finance -> Indicators of Lithuanian-controlled enterprises abroad).
The indicators database page is intended for viewing and analysing statistical information. More information about Database of Indicators is available in Database of Indicators user's guide.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
State Data Agency may, on the basis of contracts concluded with higher education institutions or research institutes, provide statistical data to researchers of these higher education institutions and research institutes to carry out specific statistical analyses for research purposes. Statistical data are provided in accordance with the provisions specified in the Description of Procedure for Data Depersonalisation and Pseudonymisation (only in Lithuanian). More information is available on the Official Statistics Portal, in the section Data Provision.
State Data Agency exchange microdata with other countries for purpose to ensure quality of the cross-border information.
Statistical information can also be provided upon individual requests (more information is available on the Official Statistics Portal, in section Services).
More information on assurance of quality of statistical information and its preparation is published in the Quality Management section on the State Data Agency (Statistics Lithuania) website.
In 2007, a quality management system, conforming to the requirements of the international quality management system standard ISO 9001, was introduced at Statistics Lithuania. Main trends in activity of Statistics Lithuania aimed at quality management and continuous development in the institution are established in the Quality Policy.
Monitoring of the quality indicators of statistical processes and their results and self-evaluation of statistical survey managers is regularly carried out in order to identify areas which need improvement and to promptly eliminate shortcomings.
More information on assurance of quality of statistical information and its preparation is published in the Quality Management section on the Statistics Lithuania website.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality of statistical results meets the requirements of relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, coherence and comparability.
Statistical information is considered reliable due to thorough verification and validation of the data. The consistency of the data is checked, and survey results are compared with the results of the previous year. In the event of significant deviations, data providers are contacted, and reasons for the deviation are identified.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Main users of statistical information are State and municipal authorities and agencies, international organisations, the media, research and business communities, students, whose needs are satisfied without a breach of the confidentiality principle. Performance data of foreign-controlled enterprises are an important source of information about globalization processes.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 2005, user opinion surveys have been conducted on a regular basis. The Official Statistics Portal traffic is monitored, website visitor opinion polls, general opinion poll on the products and services of Statistics Lithuania, target user group opinion polls and other surveys are conducted.
In 2007, the compilation of a user satisfaction index was launched. The said surveys are aimed at the assessment of the overall demand for and necessity of statistical information in general and specific statistical indicators in particular.
More information on user opinion surveys and results thereof are published in the User Surveys section on the Statistics Lithuania website.
12.3. Completeness
All indicators established by legislation and their components are produced.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Please see Table 12.3.1 in the Annex at the bottom.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy of the results can be assessed as good. The Outward FATS data are obtained from the SBS and FDI surveys, which meet all quality requirements. The country of the UCI is identified using the FDI survey, the EuroGroups Register (EGR), and administrative data sources. All required data have been obtained. Cases with contradictory information were analysed to identify the most reliable data source.
13.1.1. Use of residual geographic codes (Extra EU-27 not allocated, etc.)
Scope the Extra EU-27 not allocated was not used.
Please see Table 13.1.in the Annex at the bottom.
13.1.2. Use of residual activity codes (NACE activity “not allocated”)
Scope NACE activity “not allocated” was not used.
Please see Table 13.1.in the Annex at the bottom.
13.1.3. Comments on the Extra EU-27 not allocated and on the Activity “not allocated”
The scope Extra EU-27 'not allocated' and the NACE activity 'not allocated' were not used.
13.1.4. UCI Approach applied to identify the relevant population of reporting units
UCI was identified using FDI survey (30%), EuroGroups Register (40%), administrative sources (30%).
13.1.5. Update date (or frequency of updates) of the information regarding the country of the UCI by the “source administration”
Information on controlling and controlled units is reported for the State Tax Authority annually by the 1st June (t+5) and this information is available for statisticians from the end of June.
Information on UCI is available in the Annual reports 5th month after the end of financial year.
13.2. Sampling error
Sampling errors are not calculated. All required data are collected from the statistical surveys and administrative data sources.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Sampling errors are not calculated. All required data are collected from the statistical surveys and administrative data sources.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Non-sampling errors are not calculated. To minimize coverage and processing errors, software tools are used for data analysis.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Coverage errors are not significant.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
The over-coverage problem occurs due to inactive statistical units. Additional data sources (State Tax Inspectorates data, annual reports, inquiries by phone or email) are used to exclude inactive units from the population.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Dublicated units are not included in the population.
13.3.1.3. Misclassification errors
Mannual profiling is applied to identifie which data source is more reliable.
13.3.1.4. Under- and over-coverage problems
To avoid the under- and over-coverage problems, additional data sources (State Tax Inspectorates data, annual reports, inquiries by phone or email) are used.
13.3.2. Measurement error
To ensure the quality of statistical data, data checking and validation are performed. The verification process determines whether the data meet mathematical, logical, and boundary control conditions. If discrepancies are found, the statistics are corrected according to the nature of the error. Errors that can be ignored are corrected based on the reason provided by the respondent. Mandatory errors are always corrected.
13.3.3. Non response error
All data necessary for the survey have been collected.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
All data necessary for the survey have been collected.
See Table 13.3.3 in the Annex at the bottom.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
All data necessary for the survey have been collected.
See Table 13.3.3 in the Annex at the bottom.
13.3.4. Processing error
There were no processing errors.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
There were no model assumption errors.
14.1. Timeliness
Outward FATS (OFATS) statistics are compiled annually for reference year T.
Data collection is carried out within 18 months after the end of the reference year.
Data transmission to Eurostat is completed within 20 months after the end of the reference year.
Data dissemination at the national level also takes place within 20 months after the end of the reference year.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Statistical information is published 20 months after the end of the reference year.
14.2. Punctuality
Statistical information was delivered to Eurostat in accordance with the deadline set up in the EBS Regulation. At national level - in accordance with an Official Statistics Calendar.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Statistical information was delivered to Eurostat in accordance with the deadline set up in the EBS Regulation. At national level - in accordance with an Official Statistics Calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Statistical information is comparable across the EU.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not available.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The length of the time series is 2003-2023.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Length of comparable time series:
2003–2007
2008–2020
2021 onwards.
15.2.2. Reasons and differences in concepts and measurement methods for breaks in time series
2003-2007: NACE Rev. 1.1 activity classification was in use. Starting from 2008 NACE Rev. 2 was implemented.
2008-2020: Starting from reference year 2021 a change of statistical unit (from legal unit to enterprise). In reference year 2021 a new Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 (EBS Regulation) replaced the old FATS regulation introducing some changes such as:
extension in coverage (NACE); change in coverage of the basic statistics (national SBS: inclusion of micro enterprises); changes in definition of characteristics.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
All outward FATS indicators are fully consistent with SBS statistics, and there are no significant discrepancies with other statistical domains.
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)
The inconsistency with FDI is insignificant.
15.3.4. Coherence – EuroGroups Register (EGR)
The inconsistency with the EGR is insignificant.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Statistical information is fully coherent internally.
In 2023, EUR 10.8 thousand was allocated for the statistical survey of Lithuanian-controlled enterprises abroad, and EUR 7.2 thousand was allocated for the statistical survey of foreign-controlling enterprises and domestic affiliates.
The data required for the preparation of the outward FATS statistics are obtained from other statistical surveys and administrative data sources. In this case, there is no statistical reporting burden on respondents.
No revision of the outward FATS data was performed.
See Table 17.2. in the Annex at the bottom.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
No revision of the outward FATS data was performed.
18.1. Source data
UCI information is obtained from different data sources:
Foreign Direct Investment data (30 %),
administrative sources (30 %),
EuroGroups Register (40 %).
18.1.1. Methodological approach
The annual Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) survey is a data source used to identify the outward FATS population and the country of residence of the UCI. The FDI questionnaire contains questions concerning ownership and the UCI, as well as controlled enterprises abroad. As the FDI survey is a sample survey, additional sources were used to identify the OFATS population. The Enterprise Groups Register and data from the State Tax Authority on controlled and controlling units and persons were used to supplement the OFATS population. Annual reports and other publicly available sources were used as supplementary sources in complex cases.
18.1.2. Use of cut-off thresholds
No thresholds are applied.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data is collected annually.
18.3. Data collection
Sources used to define the OFATS population and to obtain the economic characteristics of Lithuanian-controlled enterprises abroad:
43% – from the EuroGroups Register (EGR);
55% – from the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) survey;
2% – from the Structural Business Statistics (SBS) survey.
Foreign-controlling enterprises were identified by linking OFATS UCIs with enterprise groups.
18.4. Data validation
To ensure the quality of statistical data, verification and validation procedures are carried out. During data entry, it is checked whether the data meet mathematical and logical control conditions. In case of discrepancies, the statistical data are corrected according to the nature of the error. The primary data collected are compared with the corresponding data from statistical registers and administrative sources. The list of survey population elements is reviewed, and missing data are entered. After validation of the primary data, an analysis of the comparability and consistency of the aggregated data is performed. The statistical information is also compared with that of the previous period, and the reasons for the most significant changes are examined. If inaccuracies are identified, the statistical data are corrected and validated.
18.5. Data compilation
Aggregated statistical information is calculated by summing the data according to types of economic activity and by country.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
All data required for the outward FATS survey are obtained from statistical surveys and administrative sources.
18.5.2. Use of a method to deal with non-response (both unit and item non-response)
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
31 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.
Special Purpose Entities (SPE) are included in the outward FATS population if they fulfil the definition of a statistical unit enterprise and have a non-zero net turnover, output, employment.
In cases of equally shared control, the dominant investor was identified. For cases where it was not possible to identify a dominant investor, the unit was attributed to the foreign country and excluded from the outward FATS population.
Cases of multiple minority control are included in the outward FATS population when Lithuanian investors hold the majority of votes.
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).
Reference area is Lithuania.
Data refer to the financial year, which in most cases corresponds to the calendar year.
The overall accuracy of the results can be assessed as good. The Outward FATS data are obtained from the SBS and FDI surveys, which meet all quality requirements. The country of the UCI is identified using the FDI survey, the EuroGroups Register (EGR), and administrative data sources. All required data have been obtained. Cases with contradictory information were analysed to identify the most reliable data source.
Number of enterprises and employment variables are recorded in absolute figures.
Monetary data of enterprises are recorded in thousands of €.
Aggregated statistical information is calculated by summing the data according to types of economic activity and by country.
UCI information is obtained from different data sources:
Foreign Direct Investment data (30 %),
administrative sources (30 %),
EuroGroups Register (40 %).
Annual.
Outward FATS (OFATS) statistics are compiled annually for reference year T.
Data collection is carried out within 18 months after the end of the reference year.
Data transmission to Eurostat is completed within 20 months after the end of the reference year.
Data dissemination at the national level also takes place within 20 months after the end of the reference year.
Statistical information is comparable across the EU.
