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.
National Accounts Department / Short Term Statistics Unit
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Mrs. Adelina Andrade
Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE)
Avenida António José de Almeida, 5
1000-043 Lisboa, Portugal
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
30 May 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 May 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
30 May 2025
3.1. Data description
Indices of Production in Construction.
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev. 2 and CC (building and civil engineering).
3.3. Coverage - sector
Activity coverage:
Section F of NACE Rev.2.
Size coverage:
Enterprises with 50 or more persons employed are observed exhaustively. The following size classes are used: 1-5, 6-9, 10-20, 21-49, 50-200, 201-500, 500 and more.
The reference population represents all the statistical units recorded on the General Register of Statistical Units (FGUE – Ficheiro Geral de Unidades Estatísticas), whose last update for the variables total turnover and persons employed occurred in the previous 3 years of the reference year.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Definitions correspond to the regulation(EBS) Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on 27 November 2019 and the Commission implementing Regulation 2020/1197 at European level
The Indices of Productionin Construction are obtained by NACE Rev. 2 at 2 digit level and CC.
3.5. Statistical unit
Enterprise/KAU.
3.6. Statistical population
In all annexes the sample is composed by both exhaustive and random parts. The exhaustive segment corresponds to the last quintile of either the turnover or number of employees (defined at 5 digits of NACE Rev. 2).
All units classified in section F in business register. Sample Frame: 15891, Units reporting: 758 for Base Year 2021.
3.7. Reference area
Portugal.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Base 2021: from 01/2005 onwards.
3.9. Base period
Base year: 2021.
Reference year: 2021.
Indices.
Month.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Legal basis:
The general framework is the law”Lei 22/2008” from May 13th and STS regulations.
Obligation on units to provide data:
The survey is mandatory and fines up to EUR 50,000 be applied.
Planned changes in legal basis, obligation to respond and frame used:
None.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are transmitted to other international organizations (Eurostat).
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The National Statistical Law (”Lei 22/2008” from May 13th) establishes the main principles as well as the working methods and composition of the Statistical System.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
NACE REV 2 with less than 4 units and below a response rate of 85% are considered confidential.
8.1. Release calendar
An advance release calendar that provides notice one-quarter in advance of the precise release dates is disseminated on the Statistics Portugal Internet website. In addition, a two-month in advance release calendar is disseminated in Informação Estatística, (in Portuguese). Free copies can be ordered from the contact person shown on the dissemination formats page.
8.2. Release calendar access
The release calendar is available at this website (Release calendar).
8.3. Release policy - user access
Simultaneous release to all interested parties
The data are released simultaneously to all interested parties by issuing the press release (“Destaque” in Portuguese) to the media and by simultaneously placing the data on the INE website.
Identification of internal government access to data before release
Data can be provided to the Ministry with an embargoed copy of the press release in advance for information (but not to comment) and it is embargoed until the statistical office has released the data. For more detailed information see the document dissemination policy at this website.
Transmission to Eurostat and further use of the statistics
Data are transmitted to Eurostat by STADIUM using SDMX - ML version 2.0 at the same time as data is released, or the day before under embargo.
Monthly, 39-40 days after the end of reference period.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Frequency: monthly, press release available at this website.
Activity Coverage: Section F.
Length of time series: from 01/2005 (NACE Rev.2, Base 2021).
Presentation: Indices of production are published in unadjusted, calendar adjusted and seasonal adjusted forms.
Identification of ministerial commentary on the occasion of statistical releases: No ministerial commentary is attached to the release of data by the statistical office.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Data for production are published in the “Boletim Mensal de Estatística” (Monthly Statistics Bulletin) available in Portuguese language only and can be purchased by ordering it from the Customer Support or directly at the INE website > On Line Catalogue > General Statistics. The “Anuário Estatístico de Portugal” (Statistical Yearbook of Portugal) is a bilingual publication (Portuguese/English) and can be purchased by ordering it from the Customer Support or directly at the INE website > On Line Catalogue > General Statistics. It can also be viewed and/or downloaded in pdf/xls format, free of charge, at the INE website > Statistical Data > General Statistics (X) Monthly bulletin.
Data are published in INE website (press release, excel format file and historical data access on-line database).
The detailed methodological note for base 2015 is at this time under internal (organic units of INE) approval.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Monthly micro data are analyzed, checking the major changes on monthly and annual growth rates at enterprise level and also cross checking with other related variables of the unit’s answer. If necessary, units are contacted by telephone or email. Indices are analyzed to check the coherence of the results and, if necessary, the procedure is restarted.
Indices are based on reliable data; Publication of results is always punctual; Further methodological details and other information can be found in point 14; multiple plausibility checks with different sources are done.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Short-term statistics are used by different national instituitions besides INE (such as Central Bank, Ministry of Finance and researchers) and international institutions (Eurostat) and non-institutional users, according to the needs expressed in the Statistical Superior Council (SSC). The SSC is the body where are analyzed the user’s needs and defined the Statics Program. There are no user’s requests in addition to what it is available.
In statistical office our main user is Qaurtely National Acoounts.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Statistics Portugal has a quarterly Satisfaction Survey to users that can been found at the INE website.
The results haven’t been published since 2013. Results have been steady since 2014 and the user satisfaction index reached 0,61 EBR in2024.
12.3. Completeness
The indices are fully compliant regarding STS- requiremenst under REGULATION (EU)2019/2152 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 November2019. There are no requests of additional information.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The non response rate measures accuracy goes as follows for 2024
Period
Responserate
Non response rate
jan-24
83,1
16,9
fev-24
85,3
14,7
mar-24
83,4
16,6
abr-24
85,9
14,1
mai-24
85,7
14,3
jun-24
85,4
14,6
jul-24
82,5
17,5
ago-24
88,9
11,1
set-24
89,2
10,8
out-24
85,8
14,2
nov-24
86,5
13,5
dez-24
85,5
14,5
average
85,6
14,4
13.2. Sampling error
It is not possible to indicate a classical sampling error.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Response Rate
A threshold of 85% is defined for dissemination. Nevertheless, usually data is published with a response rate above 85%.
Actions to speed up or increase the rate of response
A lot of checks are carried out at the micro and macro data level. For example the following processing errors may occur:
A) Treatment on micro-data-level
Human errors during the data editing process: these errors are often recognized with automated checks – online validation of chain and YOY rates of the unit;
Plausibility errors: a lot of checks are carried out automatically (but under possibility of human interaction): e.g. check of completeness/ sums/ horizontal logical dependences/ vertical relations/ average rates/ minimum/maximum values, etc..
Imputation errors: the imputed value is not within a plausible range of the per capita values by unit
The qualified checking of original respondent data, contacts to reporting units for corrections and the usage of sophisticated plausibility routines shall minimize the processing errors on micro-data-level.
B) Treatment on macro-data-level
Final checks with analyze-tables (aggregates / more complex relations). These tables include all variables of the STS-survey. The macro data tabled are verified by computer programs but also by the staff whether these macro-data as publication figures look plausible. The persons responsible for the index calculation have their own computer programs to test the index-plausibility of the different data at 3 and 2 digit level and for all aggregates. If inconsistencies are detected the data must be verified at micro-level again by using the raw data of the questionnaire.
Model effects, such as:
Imputation errors: the usage of previous period values tends to result in under or overestimating the real development (especially if big enterprises' values are missing). Therefore specific imputation methods for missing data are used to correct these errors.
Overcoverage / Undercoverage: Classification errors and Overcoverage are observed especially at the reference periods of January due to changes of the respondent units (i.e. deaths of enterprises, changes in enterprise structures, new classifications).
Undercoverage:
One of the reasons is the loss of responding units due to false classifications and the difficulty to find alternative enterprises during the reference year, yet it is not possible to quantify the under coverage rate.
Recommendations previewed in the Final Report of the Task Force Retail Trade Quality are applied to all indicators, mainly book 3.
The response rate is normally very high for the first release, nevertheless in case of non-response the largest units are contacted by telephone and units may also be contacted by fax. Ultimately a fine may be imposed.
14.1. Timeliness
This indicator is released 39 -40 days after the end of the reference period. The monthly data is considered to be definitive one year after the end of the calendar year in which the reference month falls. Revisions are made to the two previous periods.
Timetable of data collection:
Questionnaires are sent around the 25th of the reference month. The enterprises are requested to answer within 10 days (calendar days) after the end of the reference month.
14.2. Punctuality
Regulation (EU)2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the council of 27 November2019 requiremenst deadlines have been respected as well as national release calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Due to harmonized STS indices in the European Union, it is possible to compare calculated Portuguese aggregates with those of other European countries. There is no regional desegregation, but all national territory is covered, including the AR’s (Azores and Madeira).
15.2. Comparability - over time
To ensure comparability over time, it is tried to keep the data base as steady as possible. STS indices are compared over time (previous month and year). Comparisons with NA accounts (quarter and annual) are made every 2 years. comparasios with annual data (buiseness annual fiscal declaration) are done 1 year and 10 months after the end of the reference year. Base 2021 series have been back casted until 2005. Base 2005 series have been back casted until 2000.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Cross-checks with absolute STS-values (previous month and year). At the first release moment no other data is available for comparisons. At the end of each year an annual trend is compared with the trend of the administrative source IES/SBS.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Total production is obtained indirect by weighting F-CC1 and F-CC2 and some of Divisions of section F. both total are equal.
Cost and burden can only be measured for the whole variables 110, 210, 220 and 230. Costs is 4437 hours and burden 34minuts per month, according to a questionnaire send to all companies in the sample in 2023.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The document “Politica de Revisões” (revision policy) contains the guidelines to follow. This document can be found at the INE website.
IN the particular case of all STS indicators, incluing ICP, in each reference period m, m-1 and m-2 are revised and the revisons are published at the same time as the press release (notes). in m+15 (in the press release of MArch of the following year) all year is revised and closed. only in case of 'extraordinary revision' data will be reopend.
Data sent to Eurostat are revised according to the same revision policy described above.
17.2. Data revision - practice
QPI base2021 year 2024
for total production and breakdown 36 observations ending in december 2024, are considered.
by division, an exercise was made in base 2015, so that 36 observations exist.
Type of source: Data are obtained through statistical surveys.
Frame on which the source is based: The General Register of Statistical Units (FGUE – Ficheiro Geral de Unidades Estatísticas).
Sample of census: stratified sample surveys.
Criteria for stratification:
The reference universe of these surveys are composed by enterprises whose NACE belongs to Section F. Also, units belonging to the Madeira Off-shore aren’t considered, since their activity is classified as Financial.
First, the reference population represents all the statistical units recorded on the General Register of Statistical Units (FGUE – Ficheiro Geral de Unidades Estatísticas), whose last update for the variables total turnover and persons employed occurred in the previous 3 years of the reference year.
On a second phase of selection, quartiles of accumulated value of number of persons employed (NPS), turnover (VVN) and exports are calculated, by NACE groups. Then, all units whose NPS and VVN are inferior, simultaneously, to the first quartile calculated by NACE are excluded of the sample.
According to Eurostat recommendations, the sample must guarantee around 80% of the total turnover by economical activity. Therefore, the sampling frame only contains units whose turnover is equal or higher than a maximum value calculated between the 20% quintile and EUR 150.000.
The sizing of the sample is made in order to guarantee one definitive degree of precision of the estimates by stratum. In general, the sample is dimensioned tolerating a maximum coefficient of variation of 25% in each stratum. As reference to the intended precision, it is considered the variation of the statistics of the total number of persons employed.
Some criteria of exhaustiveness are applied, considering of obligator inquiry the companies whose accumulated value of number of persons employed is superior to 80% of the total of these variables, for all groups of NACE section F.
Every year a new base of sampling is constituted, considering the relative alterations to the relevance of the companies in the activity where they belong, as well as the questions related with the demography of the companies. The update of the sample is made annually, renewing about 20% of the current sample.
Although the necessity to keep some stability in the calculation of the indices, we considered that the enumerated criteria adapts to the volatileness of the market and the reality of each sector of activity.
The sample has 790 units for a 12309 samplig basis.
Threshold values and percentages:
No threshold is applied.
Frequency of updating the sample: Annually: a new sample is designed and with March release this new sample is incorporated in the indices. Each month the sample is updated for 'demographic accidents' (mergers/cisions deaths borns). when a given stratum loses representativeness (coefficient of variation below 20%) new units are included.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected on a monthly basis.
18.3. Data collection
Questionnaires used in the survey:
There is only one questionnaire - online, that allows all enterprises to reply according to their NACE code.
The questionnaires used to collect data for this indicator collect the following variables (except for group 41.1): number of persons employed (total, workers, administrative, owner that works), split by construction of buildings and civil engineering, number of hours worked (total, workers, administrative, owner that works), split by construction of buildings and civil engineering, wages and salaries (total, workers, administrative, owner that works), split by construction of buildings and civil engineering. For group 41.1 turnover, total employment, hours worked and wages and salaries are collected.
More details regarding the questionnaire and methodology can be found at the INE document nº 136 for base 2010. in this item there were no changes for base 2015=100.
Planned changes in national questionnaires: None.
Data collection media:The survey is carried out by an electronic questionnaire.
Planned changes in data collection methodology: Continuing to move on to web questionnaires.
18.4. Data validation
Comparisons on line with previous month and n-12. Off line comparisons within the stratum of companies are done. Data is validated off line with previous and n-12 months.
18.5. Data compilation
Estimates for non-response: Non-response is imputed with the data available for the same month of the previous year, taking into account a trend coefficient of the same enterprise between n-1 and n-13. If the non-response is due to the closure or temporary suspension of activity, no imputation is made.
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: The sample results are grossed up taking into account the number of enterprises in the Population and in the sample for each stratum.
Type of index: All indices are expressed in a Laspeyres index type and refer to a rate of change in the latest period compared to the previous period.
Method of weighting and chaining: The weighting factor is the Total gros value added at 4-digit level of NACE Rev. 2 obtained from the administrative data IES (informação empresarial simplificada) and IRS (income tax) confronted with national accounts values. The split between construction of building and civil engineering can also be obtained from IES.
Planned changes in production methods: Chaining indices with moving weights.
Frequency of weight update: Every five years.
18.6. Adjustment
WDA, SA and other calculations:
The monthly Production Series are working days and calendar effect adjusted, and seasonally adjusted, using JDemetra, Tramo-Seats and ARIMA X12.
Production indices are obtained considering only the number of hours worked by workers, (excluding administrative workers and NACE 41.1 workers), split by construction of buildings and civil engineering.
Indices of Production in Construction.
30 May 2025
Definitions correspond to the regulation(EBS) Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on 27 November 2019 and the Commission implementing Regulation 2020/1197 at European level
The Indices of Productionin Construction are obtained by NACE Rev. 2 at 2 digit level and CC.
Enterprise/KAU.
In all annexes the sample is composed by both exhaustive and random parts. The exhaustive segment corresponds to the last quintile of either the turnover or number of employees (defined at 5 digits of NACE Rev. 2).
All units classified in section F in business register. Sample Frame: 15891, Units reporting: 758 for Base Year 2021.
Portugal.
Month.
The non response rate measures accuracy goes as follows for 2024
Period
Responserate
Non response rate
jan-24
83,1
16,9
fev-24
85,3
14,7
mar-24
83,4
16,6
abr-24
85,9
14,1
mai-24
85,7
14,3
jun-24
85,4
14,6
jul-24
82,5
17,5
ago-24
88,9
11,1
set-24
89,2
10,8
out-24
85,8
14,2
nov-24
86,5
13,5
dez-24
85,5
14,5
average
85,6
14,4
Indices.
Estimates for non-response: Non-response is imputed with the data available for the same month of the previous year, taking into account a trend coefficient of the same enterprise between n-1 and n-13. If the non-response is due to the closure or temporary suspension of activity, no imputation is made.
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: The sample results are grossed up taking into account the number of enterprises in the Population and in the sample for each stratum.
Type of index: All indices are expressed in a Laspeyres index type and refer to a rate of change in the latest period compared to the previous period.
Method of weighting and chaining: The weighting factor is the Total gros value added at 4-digit level of NACE Rev. 2 obtained from the administrative data IES (informação empresarial simplificada) and IRS (income tax) confronted with national accounts values. The split between construction of building and civil engineering can also be obtained from IES.
Planned changes in production methods: Chaining indices with moving weights.
Frequency of weight update: Every five years.
Type of source: Data are obtained through statistical surveys.
Frame on which the source is based: The General Register of Statistical Units (FGUE – Ficheiro Geral de Unidades Estatísticas).
Sample of census: stratified sample surveys.
Criteria for stratification:
The reference universe of these surveys are composed by enterprises whose NACE belongs to Section F. Also, units belonging to the Madeira Off-shore aren’t considered, since their activity is classified as Financial.
First, the reference population represents all the statistical units recorded on the General Register of Statistical Units (FGUE – Ficheiro Geral de Unidades Estatísticas), whose last update for the variables total turnover and persons employed occurred in the previous 3 years of the reference year.
On a second phase of selection, quartiles of accumulated value of number of persons employed (NPS), turnover (VVN) and exports are calculated, by NACE groups. Then, all units whose NPS and VVN are inferior, simultaneously, to the first quartile calculated by NACE are excluded of the sample.
According to Eurostat recommendations, the sample must guarantee around 80% of the total turnover by economical activity. Therefore, the sampling frame only contains units whose turnover is equal or higher than a maximum value calculated between the 20% quintile and EUR 150.000.
The sizing of the sample is made in order to guarantee one definitive degree of precision of the estimates by stratum. In general, the sample is dimensioned tolerating a maximum coefficient of variation of 25% in each stratum. As reference to the intended precision, it is considered the variation of the statistics of the total number of persons employed.
Some criteria of exhaustiveness are applied, considering of obligator inquiry the companies whose accumulated value of number of persons employed is superior to 80% of the total of these variables, for all groups of NACE section F.
Every year a new base of sampling is constituted, considering the relative alterations to the relevance of the companies in the activity where they belong, as well as the questions related with the demography of the companies. The update of the sample is made annually, renewing about 20% of the current sample.
Although the necessity to keep some stability in the calculation of the indices, we considered that the enumerated criteria adapts to the volatileness of the market and the reality of each sector of activity.
The sample has 790 units for a 12309 samplig basis.
Threshold values and percentages:
No threshold is applied.
Frequency of updating the sample: Annually: a new sample is designed and with March release this new sample is incorporated in the indices. Each month the sample is updated for 'demographic accidents' (mergers/cisions deaths borns). when a given stratum loses representativeness (coefficient of variation below 20%) new units are included.
Monthly, 39-40 days after the end of reference period.
This indicator is released 39 -40 days after the end of the reference period. The monthly data is considered to be definitive one year after the end of the calendar year in which the reference month falls. Revisions are made to the two previous periods.
Timetable of data collection:
Questionnaires are sent around the 25th of the reference month. The enterprises are requested to answer within 10 days (calendar days) after the end of the reference month.
Due to harmonized STS indices in the European Union, it is possible to compare calculated Portuguese aggregates with those of other European countries. There is no regional desegregation, but all national territory is covered, including the AR’s (Azores and Madeira).
To ensure comparability over time, it is tried to keep the data base as steady as possible. STS indices are compared over time (previous month and year). Comparisons with NA accounts (quarter and annual) are made every 2 years. comparasios with annual data (buiseness annual fiscal declaration) are done 1 year and 10 months after the end of the reference year. Base 2021 series have been back casted until 2005. Base 2005 series have been back casted until 2000.
