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.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
C3: Statistics for administrative purposes
1.3. Contact name
Restricted from publication
1.4. Contact person function
Restricted from publication
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication
1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication
1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication
2.1. Metadata last certified
6 October 2015
2.2. Metadata last posted
6 October 2015
2.3. Metadata last update
11 October 2022
3.1. Data description
The country specific indicator measures the annual evolution in the remuneration of national civil servants working in central public administration.
Each country indicator is calculated in nominal terms. Using the harmonised index of consumer prices, it is then expressed in real terms.
The global indicator is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean of the individual country specific indicators, using the national gross domestic product expressed in purchasing power standards as weights.
NB. The time series of GDP statistics is regularly revised: the point-in-time snapshot used as weights to produce the global specific indicator for each annual reporting exercise is published in the annual report; it is not replicated in this dataset.
The method used to establish the country specific indicator is to compare the average level of remuneration of national civil servants according to the legislation in force at 1st July in Year "X", with the average level of remuneration of the same national civil servants according to the legislation in force at 1st July in Year "X-1".
To compile this information, Eurostat carries out a detailed survey in cooperation with national statistical institutes and other national statistical authorities as appropriate.
National civil servants are categorised into "administrator-equivalents" and "assistant-equivalents" and "secretary/clerk equivalents" which are function groups defined in the Staff Regulations of officials and other servants of the European Union.
Within each function group category, for each staff grade the gross remuneration is identified including all relevant components. Statutory deductions are then deducted (eg. personal income tax, social security contributions, occupational pension contribution, healthcare insurance).
Applicable state benefits are then added (family and child allowances to which national civil servants are eligible like any other citizens). The result is a figure for net remuneration.
NB. Some Member States add such social benefits to gross remuneration, others show it as a separate component in computation of net remuneration. For this reason, only NET remuneration can be considered fully comparable across countries.
An overall average is then calculated using staff numbers as weights.
This average is then compared with the figure for the previous year.
The same staff numbers are used for both calculations, to avoid the impact of changes due to seniority, promotion, arrivals, departures, etc.
3.2. Classification system
The tables presented here show the overall country specific indicator and the EU average.
Gross nominal (select Label Gross remuneration in nominal terms / real terms for Lcstruct and Label Nominal value for P_adj in dataset prc_rem_cs)
Net nominal (select Label Net remuneration in nominal terms / real terms for Lcstruct and Label Nominal value for P_adj in dataset prc_rem_cs)
Gross real (select Label Gross remuneration in nominal terms / real terms for Lcstruct and Label Real value for P_adj in dataset prc_rem_cs)
Net real (select Label Net remuneration in nominal terms / real terms for Lcstruct and Label Real value for P_adj in dataset prc_rem_cs)
The following information is also presented:
Staff numbers in central public administration
Joint index of consumer price inflation in Belgium and Luxembourg (dataset prc_rem_idx)
Information at more detailed level is published in the Annual Remuneration Report.
Article 65 and Annex XI of the Staff Regulations of officials and other servants of the European Union determine the basic principles of the method. These are filled with practical procedures decided within the framework of the Expert Working Group on Articles 64 & 65 of the Staff Regulations, which meets annually.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The global specific indicator and the Joint Index are calculated to adjust the remuneration of international officials.
Salary data are compiled for a specific sub-group of national civil servants working in central public administration in each Member State.
The global specific indicator and the Joint Index, together with the staff numbers in central public administration and the country specific indicators and average remuneration, may also be suitable for other uses.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
See also section 18.1
Data is compiled in accordance with the Staff Regulations and the Eurostat methodology manual for the calculation of specific indicators.
a) Gross remuneration
All elements of remuneration that affect the purchasing power of national civil servants should be taken into account when calculating the gross remuneration. All general bonuses and premiums which are part of the salary, should be reported. In general, the following elements should be considered:
- basic salary;
- all allowances and bonuses (eg. general premiums, family allowances);
- non-pensionable lump sum payments (eg. annual holiday pay).
The following should not be included:
- regional allowances to compensate for 'cost of living' differences;
- increase due to promotion or seniority;
- person-specific special allowances (eg. individual merit bonus for exceptional performance).
b) Statutory deductions
The following amounts should be deducted from gross remuneration:
The following amounts should be added to gross remuneration where applicable:
- family allowances;
- child benefit;
d) Consumer price indices
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is obtained from national statistical institutes.
e) Gross domestic product
The Gross Domestic Product expressed in purchasing power standards is obtained from national statistical institutes
The Joint Index is a Laspeyres-type index intended to measure the annual evolution of consumer prices in Brussels and Luxembourg.
The components of the Joint Index are the detailed sub-indices of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices for Belgium as established by the national authority and published on the Eurostat website; the detailed sub-indices of the Consumer Price Index for Luxembourg as established by the national statistical institute and published on their website; the total numbers of active international officials in Brussels and in Luxembourg as provided by Commission internal services; consumption expenditure weights for aggregation purposes as obtained from the last survey conducted by Eurostat amongst international staff in Brussels.
Each basic heading index is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean of the Belgium and Luxembourg sub-indices, using the staff numbers as weights. The overall index is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean of the basic heading indices, using the consumption expenditure pattern as weights.
3.5. Statistical unit
Remuneration is identified for each occupation grade in the national civil service.
Staff numbers are presented as a headcount.
3.6. Statistical population
The reference is the full population of national civil servants working in central public administration (as defined by s.1311 ESA 2010). This includes all administrative departments of the state and other central agencies whose competence extends normally over the whole economic territory."
Central government does not include the State and Local Governments and Social security funds in Member States which are covered by sub-sectors s.1312, s.1313 and s.1314 respectively.
From this group, the following occupations are then excluded:
- military;
- law and order (police, prison guards, frontier guards);
- healthcare (doctors, nurses);
- education (teachers, teaching assistants);
- ministers of religion;
- diplomats;
- magistrates.
If a sample is selected, it must be representative of the total population and should cover at least 75%. The basis for selecting the sample should be hold constant as this structure may have an influence on the calculation: where a change is implemented, this is done following a specific procedure.
Family status can affect both gross remuneration (e.g. entitlement to additional allowances) and net remuneration (e.g. entitlement to income exemptions or specific tax scales). In order not to make the system too complicated, information is compiled separately for just two household types: single unmarried officials, and married officials with a spouse and two children. If relevant, it should be assumed that the spouse and other dependents of married officials are not working. If relevant, it should be assumed that the children are of school-going age.
3.7. Reference area
Specific indicators are established for each Member State.
The Joint Index is established for Brussels and Luxembourg.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Specific indicators are presented in the tables with effect from 2004.
Staff numbers are presented in the tables with effect from 2004.
The Joint Index is presented in the tables with effect from 2004.
3.9. Base period
Each annual indicator is calculated by reference to the preceding year.
Specific indicators are expressed as an index number.
Specific indicators are updated yearly with reference to June (1st July).
An earlier calculation with reference to December (1st January) is done using preliminary forecasts.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Articles 64 and 65 and Annex XI of the Staff Regulations (Council Regulation EEC, Euratom, ECSC No 259/68 of 29 February 1968) as subsequently amended. Important amendments during the period for which time series data is presented in the tables include:
Legislation 1991-2003 (Council Regulation No 3830/1991)
Legislation 2004-2012 (Council Regulation No 723/2004)
Legislation 2013- (Council Regulation No 1023/2013)
With effect from 2014 the European Statistics Code of Practice applies for work on specific indicators. It sets the standard for developing, producing and disseminating European statistics, building upon a common definition of quality in statistics.
Specific methodologies and publication policies are decided by the Expert Working Group on Articles 64 & 65 of the Staff Regulations which meets annually in Luxembourg.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The input data is compiled and validated in collaboration with national statistical institutes or other national statistical authorities as appropriate.
The information compiled by Eurostat is shared with the International Service for Remuneration and Pensions of the Coordinated Organisations (NATO, OECD, CoE, ESA, ECMWF, METSAT) under the terms of an international memorandum of understanding which was first signed in 2009.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The specific indicators calculation exercise is a sensitive statistical undertaking for political purposes, in which each country needs confidence that results are produced to the same quality for all participating countries as on its own data. It is therefore important that input data is available for validation purposes to all participating national statistical institutes.
Following transmission of the Eurostat Annual Remuneration Report, and completion of internal administrative procedures, the Commission publishes a summary in the Official Journal of the European Union.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
In accordance with the Staff Regulations, an Annual Remuneration Report is prepared by 31st October each year, including the update figures for specific indicators.
An Intermediate Remuneration Report is produced as soon as possible after 31st March each year, including the results of preliminary forecasts.
The detailed reports are made available to Member State delegates in the Expert Working Group on Articles 64 & 65 of the Staff Regulations.
Statistics Explained articles
Dedicated Section
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The specific indicators domain of Eurostat's database can be accessed under "Economy and finance" - "Prices" - "Remuneration of civil servants - key indicators" - "Remuneration of national civil servants in central public administration" (prc_rem_cs).
Figures are made available following transmission of the Annual Remuneration Report.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Results below the level of the published figures are generally not disseminated to the general public.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
None
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The latest version of the "Methodology manual for the calculation of specific indicators and control indicators" is available online (see Annex at the bottom of this page).
The latest version of the "Methodology manual for the calculation of the Joint Index" is available online (see Annex at the bottom of this page).
10.7. Quality management - documentation
In collaboration with Eurostat, all participating countries produce detailed inventories of the data sources and methods applied in the provision of basic data.
In addition, countries provide quality reports ("survey reports") with explanatory remarks to Eurostat in parallel with each annual survey. These reports are intended for internal use among the participants, and serve primarily for the validation of the current survey results and the preparation of forthcoming surveys.
At the annual meeting of the Expert Working Group on Articles 64 & 65 of the Staff Regulations, there is a detailed multilateral ex-post review of the latest annual exercise.
11.1. Quality assurance
All basic data provided by participating countries undergo a detailed bilateral validation process, described in detail in the Methodology manual on specific indicators and control indicators (see section 10.6). Results are also compared multilaterally.
For a subset of countries, specific indicator calculations at aggregate level are done in parallel by Eurostat and by the International Service for Remuneration and Pensions of the Coordinated Organisations, and cross-checked for consistency. There can be minor differences (eg. ISRP methodology only uses data for single unmarried officials without children, and may focus on specific government departments rather than total central public administration). For remaining Member States, calculations are done solely by Eurostat.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The inventories produced by the countries, as mentioned under section 10.7, are used by Eurostat for in-depth assessment of the countries' sources and methods.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Specific indicators are used to adjust the remuneration of officials and other servants of the European Union.
Staff numbers are used to calculate a control indicator in combination with national accounts expenditure data.
The Joint Index is used to adjust the remuneration of officials and other servants of the European Union. It is also used in the calculation of correction coefficients.
A number of other international organisations apply these indicators for adjustment of remuneration of their staff.
The information is made available publicly to allow other organisations to satisfy their needs as well.
Some users typically request data at a more detailed level than is currently authorised for publication either in the online database or in the detailed reports. Changing procedures to better accommodate such needs would require considerable modification to the existing methodology and organisation of the exercise, and is not feasible.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
A comprehensive review on the Remuneration statistics for administrative purposes process was carried out in 2010, and updated in 2021. This included informal contact with users, lessons drawn from partners (mainly the National Statistical Institutes) and a self-assessment by Eurostat.
End-users and data partners are consulted annually regarding quality.
Eurostat provides extensive independent and objective technical support to the periodic political discussions on appropriate design of the remuneration system for international officials.
12.3. Completeness
Specific indicators are calculated and published for all the EU Member States.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The precision of specific indicators is considered to increase with the level of aggregation. This means that the global specific indicator (EU average) will be more reliable, or precise, than the indicator for an individual Member State. Similarly, the overall average indicator for an individual Member State will be more reliable, or precise, than the indicator for "administrator-equivalents" which is one of the defined categories. Similarly, the indicator for "administrator-equivalents" will be more reliable than the indicator for individual occupation grades within that category.
The input data into the specific indicator calculation process comes from several sources, specifically from special price surveys of remuneration of national civil servants, harmonised index of consumer prices, gross domestic product. This makes it impossible to calculate any meaningful, numerical measure of error margins for these indicators.
The precision of the Joint Index is considered to increase with the level of aggregation. This means that the index at the level of total household consumption will be more reliable, or precise, than the index for "food and non-alcoholic beverages" which is one of the sub-aggregates of final household consumption (12 main COICOP groups). Similarly, the index for "food and non-alcoholic beverages" will be more reliable than the index for "bread and cereals" which is one of the analytical categories within that COICOP group.
The input data into the index calculation process comes from several sources, specifically, from national data collection on consumer goods and services, internal Commission sources on staff numbers, and special surveys of household consumption expenditure ("family budget surveys"). This makes it impossible to calculate any meaningful, numerical measure of error margins.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable
13.3. Non-sampling error
In the remuneration surveys, measurement errors can potentially occur due to non-compliance with the strict definitions set out in the methodology, for instance with regard to coverage of the central public administration, or categorisation of occupation grades, or calculation of gross remuneration, or calculation of statutory deductions, or reporting of staff numbers. While the validation process aims at eliminating these errors by carefully comparing the material provided by each country and evaluating its plausibility, some of these errors can be hard to identify, especially those related to quality.
In the Joint Index, measurement errors can potentially occur due to non-compliance with the strict definitions set out in the HICP methodology, for instance with regard to coverage of the national territory or the definition of products in the product sample. Errors may also occur in the reporting of staff numbers used as weights, or the measurement of consumption expenditure by international officials used to establish aggregation weights. While the validation process aims at eliminating these errors by carefully comparing the material provided by each country and evaluating its plausibility, some of these errors can be hard to identify, especially those related to quality.
14.1. Timeliness
Specific indicators for June (1st July) are published annually in autumn of the same year.
Specific indicator forecasts for December (1st January) are published annually in spring.
14.2. Punctuality
Eurostat is required by the Staff Regulations to deliver its Annual Remuneration Report by the end of October.
In order for Eurostat to respect this requirement, it is important that Member States transmit input data of adequate quality within an agreed timeframe. The following is an indicative timetable:
15 February Eurostat formally requests Member States to send preliminary forecasts
28 February Each Member State provides Eurostat with preliminary forecast
31 March Member States validate or inform of any necessary correction
30 April Eurostat issues Intermediate Remuneration Report
1 April Eurostat & ISRP formally request subset of Member States to send definitive data
31 May Each Member State in subset provides Eurostat & ISRP with the requested data
15 June Eurostat formally requests remaining Member States to send definitive data
15 July Eurostat & ISRP send country calculation to each Member State in subset
31 July Each remaining Member State provides Eurostat with the requested data
15 September Eurostat sends country calculation to each remaining Member State
30 September Member States validate or inform of any necessary correction
31 October Eurostat issues Annual Remuneration Report
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Specific indicators are specifically designed as temporal indicators. Whilst a common methodology is applied, the characteristics of each national civil service varies, which places a limit on the comparability of the results across countries. This said, by focusing on the evolution of remuneration, rather than the level of remuneration, the comparability can be assumed to be good.
The Joint Index is specifically designed as a temporal indicator or price evolution, which has important implications for the way in which items are selected and defined and other aspects of methodology. Unfortunately, no indicator exists that simultaneously captures spatial and temporal aspects in an adequate manner. Clearly a degree of care is therefore required when interpreting the comparative movement of the index.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Specific indicators are specifically designed as temporal indicators. The comparability over time can be assumed to be very good.
The b flag in 2013 for EU_V code means "Official sample defined in EU Staff Regulations for year in question". In recent times this sample has comprised the following Member States:
2004-2012 = 8 Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom.
2013-2020 = 11 Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom.
From 2020 = 10 Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Sweden.
The Joint Index is specifically designed as a temporal indicator. The comparability over time can be assumed to be very good.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Eurostat publishes a variety of different remuneration indicators, each designed to satisfy particular user needs. Coverage of central public administration varies. As methodologies and data sources vary, so the magnitude and direction of change identified by these indicators can differ. The following is a non-exhaustive list :
Structure of Earnings Survey
Labour Force Survey
Statistics on Income and Living Conditions
Compensation of Employees (national accounts)
Labour cost index.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable
Specific indicators make maximum use of data already compiled, including the Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices and the Gross Domestic Product in Purchasing Power Standards. Minimal additional response burden is created.
The Joint Index makes maximum use of data already compiled and available from internal sources. No additional response burden is created.
17.1. Data revision - policy
For this domain, the Methodological manual for the calculation of specific indicators and control indicators further specifies the general Eurostat revision policy.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data are only published once they are deemed to be sufficiently complete for all data providers.
New data are only used to update disseminated data if provided according to the provision schedule set by Eurostat, or, under highly specific circumstances, in the case of reported errors.
Reported errors that are deemed to be significant may be corrected in the disseminated data during a period of six months after dissemination, in line with the principles set out below.
Principles for corrections prior to or following publication of the Eurostat Report
With the information contained in the Eurostat report which is submitted to the European Parliament and the Council in October of year t, the Commission updates by the end of the year the remuneration of officials of the European Communities with effect from July of the year t. At some stage during or after this process it is conceivable that an error may be identified either by Eurostat or by a Member State. Such errors must be officially communicated. This then raises budgetary and administrative questions about whether/how to adjust such corrections retrospectively. The Staff Regulations themselves impose no limit on retrospective adjustment. However, to limit the practical and financial burdens, a gentleman's agreement was adopted in January 2005. This policy foresees revisions in the following circumstances:
If identified prior to publication, the Eurostat Report will be revised and a new report will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council.
For a period of six months after the publication of this update (i.e. until the end of June t+1) there is a possibility to start a revision of the adjustment (which can result in a retroactive correction).
After this six-month period, data for year t are considered as final.
18.1. Source data
All input data needed for calculation of the country specific indicator is requested from each Member State by means of a standard remuneration questionnaire. A model of this questionnaire is included in the methodology manual on calculation of specific indicators and control indicators.
For the calculation of the Joint Index, a basic heading classification with 80 positions is used. These 80 basic headings are the same as the ones used for the separate calculation of correction coefficients (duty stations) in the European Union. The basic heading is the lowest level of aggregation, at which products are sampled and product prices collected. Below the basic heading level are the individual items of the product sample. For example, cheese is a basic heading and cheddar, camembert, feta, gorgonzola, gouda, etc. are individual products within it.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices for Belgium is established in accordance with framework regulation 2494/1995 and subsequent implementing measures concerning harmonised indices of consumer prices. The latest HICP methodology manual was published as document KS-GQ-17-015-EN in 2018, and is available to download from the Eurostat website. The information is directly received by Eurostat from the Belgian authorities (Service public fédéral Economie, P.M.E., Classes moyennes et Energie, Direction générale Statistique (STATBEL), Direction thématique Economie, Division des prix). The information is then converted to the agreed 80 basic headings classification. It is important that indices established on a consistent basis are used (eg. in the event of rebasing).
The Luxembourg national index of consumer prices complies with the HICP except that its weighting structure excludes the consumer spending of non-residents on Luxembourg territory. The information is established by the Luxembourg authorities (Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques, “Statec”). A time series of the index values is available to download from the Statec dedicated page.
The information is then converted to the agreed 80 basic headings classification. It is important that indices established on a consistent basis are used (eg. in the event of rebasing).
Information about the numbers of EU officials working in Brussels and Luxembourg (all institutions combined, all categories) is extracted from the Eurostat PSEO database, which compiles information provided annually at 31 December about staffing levels by relevant departments of the EU institutions. The staff numbers at the base period are used (ie. for a movement between time t-1 and time t, the staff numbers available for time t-1 are used).
The consumption expenditure pattern for aggregation purposes is established on the basis of direct household budget surveys conducted at periodic intervals amongst international officials in Brussels. The average result is established as the consumption pattern until the next survey. These are the same Brussels consumption expenditure weights as are used in the separate calculation of correction coefficients (duty stations) in the European Union.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Yearly
The Legal Service of the Council has clarified that the Staff Regulations permit only one set of salary data by country and year. Data collected for the current year is compared with validated data for the preceding year to establish the specific indicator. Validated data sets used as input to past calculations of the specific indicator (for year t-1 and earlier years t-n) shall not be revised retrospectively.
Exceptionally, if the salary scale of national civil servants changes between year t-1 and year t, a new set of data for the year t-1 must be supplied based on the new salary scale at year t, to allow a consistent comparison.
18.3. Data collection
Within the general framework laid down in the specific indicator methodology, national statistical institutes (and other national statistical authorities as appropriate) have a degree of freedom as to how to conduct the data collection.
Within the general framework laid down in the HICP regulations, national statistical institutes have a degree of freedom as to how to conduct the data collection.
18.4. Data validation
The validation of input data for the calculation of specific indicators is an interactive process between Eurostat and the national statistical institutes (and other national statistical authorities as appropriate).
18.5. Data compilation
The calculation of the overall country specific indicator involves the following stages:
a) For each grade, remuneration for the minimum, middle, maximum steps for unmarried officials is averaged (unweighted arithmetic mean) with remuneration for married officials.
b) For each function group, the average remuneration is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean, using the remuneration data from stage (a) and staff numbers in the sample as weights.
c) The average remuneration for total central public administration is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean, using the remuneration data from stage (b) and staff numbers in the central public administration as weights.
d) Finally, the country specific indicator is calculated, using the remuneration data from stage (c) and the corresponding figure for the preceding year.
The country specific indicator measures the annual evolution in the remuneration of national civil servants working in central public administration.
Each country indicator is calculated in nominal terms. Using the harmonised index of consumer prices, it is then expressed in real terms.
The global indicator is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean of the individual country specific indicators, using the national gross domestic product expressed in purchasing power standards as weights.
NB. The time series of GDP statistics is regularly revised: the point-in-time snapshot used as weights to produce the global specific indicator for each annual reporting exercise is published in the annual report; it is not replicated in this dataset.
The method used to establish the country specific indicator is to compare the average level of remuneration of national civil servants according to the legislation in force at 1st July in Year "X", with the average level of remuneration of the same national civil servants according to the legislation in force at 1st July in Year "X-1".
To compile this information, Eurostat carries out a detailed survey in cooperation with national statistical institutes and other national statistical authorities as appropriate.
National civil servants are categorised into "administrator-equivalents" and "assistant-equivalents" and "secretary/clerk equivalents" which are function groups defined in the Staff Regulations of officials and other servants of the European Union.
Within each function group category, for each staff grade the gross remuneration is identified including all relevant components. Statutory deductions are then deducted (eg. personal income tax, social security contributions, occupational pension contribution, healthcare insurance).
Applicable state benefits are then added (family and child allowances to which national civil servants are eligible like any other citizens). The result is a figure for net remuneration.
NB. Some Member States add such social benefits to gross remuneration, others show it as a separate component in computation of net remuneration. For this reason, only NET remuneration can be considered fully comparable across countries.
An overall average is then calculated using staff numbers as weights.
This average is then compared with the figure for the previous year.
The same staff numbers are used for both calculations, to avoid the impact of changes due to seniority, promotion, arrivals, departures, etc.
11 October 2022
See also section 18.1
Data is compiled in accordance with the Staff Regulations and the Eurostat methodology manual for the calculation of specific indicators.
a) Gross remuneration
All elements of remuneration that affect the purchasing power of national civil servants should be taken into account when calculating the gross remuneration. All general bonuses and premiums which are part of the salary, should be reported. In general, the following elements should be considered:
- basic salary;
- all allowances and bonuses (eg. general premiums, family allowances);
- non-pensionable lump sum payments (eg. annual holiday pay).
The following should not be included:
- regional allowances to compensate for 'cost of living' differences;
- increase due to promotion or seniority;
- person-specific special allowances (eg. individual merit bonus for exceptional performance).
b) Statutory deductions
The following amounts should be deducted from gross remuneration:
The following amounts should be added to gross remuneration where applicable:
- family allowances;
- child benefit;
d) Consumer price indices
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is obtained from national statistical institutes.
e) Gross domestic product
The Gross Domestic Product expressed in purchasing power standards is obtained from national statistical institutes
The Joint Index is a Laspeyres-type index intended to measure the annual evolution of consumer prices in Brussels and Luxembourg.
The components of the Joint Index are the detailed sub-indices of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices for Belgium as established by the national authority and published on the Eurostat website; the detailed sub-indices of the Consumer Price Index for Luxembourg as established by the national statistical institute and published on their website; the total numbers of active international officials in Brussels and in Luxembourg as provided by Commission internal services; consumption expenditure weights for aggregation purposes as obtained from the last survey conducted by Eurostat amongst international staff in Brussels.
Each basic heading index is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean of the Belgium and Luxembourg sub-indices, using the staff numbers as weights. The overall index is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean of the basic heading indices, using the consumption expenditure pattern as weights.
Remuneration is identified for each occupation grade in the national civil service.
Staff numbers are presented as a headcount.
The reference is the full population of national civil servants working in central public administration (as defined by s.1311 ESA 2010). This includes all administrative departments of the state and other central agencies whose competence extends normally over the whole economic territory."
Central government does not include the State and Local Governments and Social security funds in Member States which are covered by sub-sectors s.1312, s.1313 and s.1314 respectively.
From this group, the following occupations are then excluded:
- military;
- law and order (police, prison guards, frontier guards);
- healthcare (doctors, nurses);
- education (teachers, teaching assistants);
- ministers of religion;
- diplomats;
- magistrates.
If a sample is selected, it must be representative of the total population and should cover at least 75%. The basis for selecting the sample should be hold constant as this structure may have an influence on the calculation: where a change is implemented, this is done following a specific procedure.
Family status can affect both gross remuneration (e.g. entitlement to additional allowances) and net remuneration (e.g. entitlement to income exemptions or specific tax scales). In order not to make the system too complicated, information is compiled separately for just two household types: single unmarried officials, and married officials with a spouse and two children. If relevant, it should be assumed that the spouse and other dependents of married officials are not working. If relevant, it should be assumed that the children are of school-going age.
Specific indicators are established for each Member State.
The Joint Index is established for Brussels and Luxembourg.
Specific indicators are updated yearly with reference to June (1st July).
An earlier calculation with reference to December (1st January) is done using preliminary forecasts.
The precision of specific indicators is considered to increase with the level of aggregation. This means that the global specific indicator (EU average) will be more reliable, or precise, than the indicator for an individual Member State. Similarly, the overall average indicator for an individual Member State will be more reliable, or precise, than the indicator for "administrator-equivalents" which is one of the defined categories. Similarly, the indicator for "administrator-equivalents" will be more reliable than the indicator for individual occupation grades within that category.
The input data into the specific indicator calculation process comes from several sources, specifically from special price surveys of remuneration of national civil servants, harmonised index of consumer prices, gross domestic product. This makes it impossible to calculate any meaningful, numerical measure of error margins for these indicators.
The precision of the Joint Index is considered to increase with the level of aggregation. This means that the index at the level of total household consumption will be more reliable, or precise, than the index for "food and non-alcoholic beverages" which is one of the sub-aggregates of final household consumption (12 main COICOP groups). Similarly, the index for "food and non-alcoholic beverages" will be more reliable than the index for "bread and cereals" which is one of the analytical categories within that COICOP group.
The input data into the index calculation process comes from several sources, specifically, from national data collection on consumer goods and services, internal Commission sources on staff numbers, and special surveys of household consumption expenditure ("family budget surveys"). This makes it impossible to calculate any meaningful, numerical measure of error margins.
Specific indicators are expressed as an index number.
The calculation of the overall country specific indicator involves the following stages:
a) For each grade, remuneration for the minimum, middle, maximum steps for unmarried officials is averaged (unweighted arithmetic mean) with remuneration for married officials.
b) For each function group, the average remuneration is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean, using the remuneration data from stage (a) and staff numbers in the sample as weights.
c) The average remuneration for total central public administration is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean, using the remuneration data from stage (b) and staff numbers in the central public administration as weights.
d) Finally, the country specific indicator is calculated, using the remuneration data from stage (c) and the corresponding figure for the preceding year.
All input data needed for calculation of the country specific indicator is requested from each Member State by means of a standard remuneration questionnaire. A model of this questionnaire is included in the methodology manual on calculation of specific indicators and control indicators.
For the calculation of the Joint Index, a basic heading classification with 80 positions is used. These 80 basic headings are the same as the ones used for the separate calculation of correction coefficients (duty stations) in the European Union. The basic heading is the lowest level of aggregation, at which products are sampled and product prices collected. Below the basic heading level are the individual items of the product sample. For example, cheese is a basic heading and cheddar, camembert, feta, gorgonzola, gouda, etc. are individual products within it.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices for Belgium is established in accordance with framework regulation 2494/1995 and subsequent implementing measures concerning harmonised indices of consumer prices. The latest HICP methodology manual was published as document KS-GQ-17-015-EN in 2018, and is available to download from the Eurostat website. The information is directly received by Eurostat from the Belgian authorities (Service public fédéral Economie, P.M.E., Classes moyennes et Energie, Direction générale Statistique (STATBEL), Direction thématique Economie, Division des prix). The information is then converted to the agreed 80 basic headings classification. It is important that indices established on a consistent basis are used (eg. in the event of rebasing).
The Luxembourg national index of consumer prices complies with the HICP except that its weighting structure excludes the consumer spending of non-residents on Luxembourg territory. The information is established by the Luxembourg authorities (Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques, “Statec”). A time series of the index values is available to download from the Statec dedicated page.
The information is then converted to the agreed 80 basic headings classification. It is important that indices established on a consistent basis are used (eg. in the event of rebasing).
Information about the numbers of EU officials working in Brussels and Luxembourg (all institutions combined, all categories) is extracted from the Eurostat PSEO database, which compiles information provided annually at 31 December about staffing levels by relevant departments of the EU institutions. The staff numbers at the base period are used (ie. for a movement between time t-1 and time t, the staff numbers available for time t-1 are used).
The consumption expenditure pattern for aggregation purposes is established on the basis of direct household budget surveys conducted at periodic intervals amongst international officials in Brussels. The average result is established as the consumption pattern until the next survey. These are the same Brussels consumption expenditure weights as are used in the separate calculation of correction coefficients (duty stations) in the European Union.
Yearly
Specific indicators for June (1st July) are published annually in autumn of the same year.
Specific indicator forecasts for December (1st January) are published annually in spring.
Specific indicators are specifically designed as temporal indicators. Whilst a common methodology is applied, the characteristics of each national civil service varies, which places a limit on the comparability of the results across countries. This said, by focusing on the evolution of remuneration, rather than the level of remuneration, the comparability can be assumed to be good.
The Joint Index is specifically designed as a temporal indicator or price evolution, which has important implications for the way in which items are selected and defined and other aspects of methodology. Unfortunately, no indicator exists that simultaneously captures spatial and temporal aspects in an adequate manner. Clearly a degree of care is therefore required when interpreting the comparative movement of the index.
Specific indicators are specifically designed as temporal indicators. The comparability over time can be assumed to be very good.
The b flag in 2013 for EU_V code means "Official sample defined in EU Staff Regulations for year in question". In recent times this sample has comprised the following Member States:
2004-2012 = 8 Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom.
2013-2020 = 11 Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom.
From 2020 = 10 Member States: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Sweden.
The Joint Index is specifically designed as a temporal indicator. The comparability over time can be assumed to be very good.
