1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
European Commission
Eurostat – Statistical Office of the European Union
L-2920 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
28 March 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
4 June 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
1 April 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDG 3 on good health and well-being.
SDG 8, among other things, calls for promoting labour rights and safe and secure working environments. SDG 3 aims to ensure health and well-being for all.
The indicator can be considered as similar to global SDG indicator 8.8.1 "Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status".
The national 'European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW)' sources are the employers' declarations of accidents at work, either to the relevant insurance companies, the national social security system, labour inspections or similar national authorities.
The Directive on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union sets minimum standards on working conditions. The EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021–2027 sets out key priorities for improving workers’ health and safety.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the number of fatal accidents that occur during the course of work and lead to the death of the victim within one year of the accident. The incidence rate refers to the number of fatal accidents per 100 000 persons in employment.
An accident at work is 'a discrete occurrence in the course of work which leads to physical or mental harm'. This includes all accidents in the course of work, whether they happen inside or outside the premises of the employer, accidents in public places or different means of transport during a journey in the course of the work (commuting accidents are excluded) and at home (such as during teleworking). It also includes cases of acute poisoning and wilful acts of other persons, if these happened during the course of the work.
4.2. Unit of measure
Number per 100 000 workers
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (ESAW)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: ESS, European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+2 years5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within 2 years after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series starts in 2010.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
3 to 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is 3 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards the SDGs in an EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
see table sdg_08_60
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
