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.
Number of employees and self-employed persons (tööga hõivatud isikute kvartalikeskmine arv).
Hours worked by employees (töötatud tundide arv).
Gross wages and salaries (palgakulud).
3.2. Classification system
Estonian Classification of Economic Activities 2008 (EMTAK 2008) based on NACE Rev.2.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The survey covers Divisions A to S of NACE Rev. 2, except K and O
All size classes are covered.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The number of employees and self-employed persons is defined as the total number of persons who work in the observation unit, irrespective of the length of their working week. The number of employees and self-employed persons includes:
working proprietors and unpaid family members;
full- and part-time employees, who are on the pay-roll;
persons who work outside the unit, but who belong to it and are paid by it;
persons temporarily absent from work (persons on sick leave, paid leave, study leave, on strike etc.);
seasonal workers, apprentices and home workers who are on the pay-roll;
persons, who work by contract agreement.
Unpaid family workers refer to persons who live with the proprietor of the unit and work regularly for the unit, but do not have a contract of service and do not receive a fixed sum for the work they perform. This is limited to those persons who are not included on the payroll of another unit as their principal occupation. The number of employees and self-employed persons excludes manpower supplied to the unit by other enterprises, persons carrying out repair and maintenance work in the enquiry unit on behalf of other enterprises, as well as those on compulsory military service and those who absent for an indefinite period. The number of employees and self-employed persons is calculated as an average of the quarter. Self-employed persons are included if they are registered in the register of economically active enterprises (Statistical Profile) as enterprises. Physical persons working on own account are not covered.
Hours worked by employees includes hours actually worked during normal working hours and hours worked in addition to those. When the exact number of hours actually worked is not known, it may be estimated on the basis of the theoretical number of working hours. Hours worked by employees data are recorded for a quarter. Self-employed persons are only included if they are registered in the register of economically active enterprises (Statistical Profile) as enterprises. Physical persons working on own account are not covered.
Wages and salaries are the total remuneration payable to all persons counted on the payroll (including home workers), in return for work done during the reference period. Data about wages and salaries are recorded for a quarter.
3.5. Statistical unit
Reporting unit - enterprise, observation unit - KAU.
3.6. Statistical population
A list of enterprises, which are included in the register of economically active enterprises (Statistical Profile), excluding financial and insurance enterprises.
Number of enterprises in 2024 population frame: industry - 10180, construction - 16000, trade - 21760, services - 70726.
3.7. Reference area
The whole country is covered. Activities outside the geographical coverage are included in the data.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The first year in which the survey was carried out was 1995 except for the indicator "number of hours worked" which started from 2000.
3.9. Base period
2021=100
Data are transmitted to Eurostat as index.
On national level the data are published as absolute values.
Quarter
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation (EC) No 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on European business statistics, repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics (Text with EEA relevance)
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are transmitted to EUROSTAT.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 34 and § 35 of the Official Statistics Act.
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website. On 1 October each year, the release times of the Statistical Database, news releases, main indicators by IMF SDDS and publications are announced in the release calendar (in case of publications – the release month).
8.2. Release calendar access
The publication calendar of news releases and the statistical publications are available on the web site of Statistics Estonia.
8.3. Release policy - user access
All users have been granted an equal access to official statistics: this means that the dissemination dates of official statistics have to be announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) can have access to the official statistics (results of official statistical surveys) before other users. Statistical information is first published in the Statistical Database. In case a news release is published based on the same data, the information provided in the relevant news release is simultaneously published in the Statistical Database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8.00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calender.
Data are published at 2-digit level, some activities at 3-digit level of NACE Rev. 2. The indicator is presented in absolute figures and in an unadjusted form. Data are published since 2001.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 34, § 35, § 36, § 37, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act. Access to micro-data and anonymisation of micro-data are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s „Procedure for dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes”
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are sent to Eurostat both to be used in European aggregates as well as to be released as national data.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
A methodological description of the survey is available in the website of Statistics Estonia (ESMS metadata).
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Data on the quality of the population, sample and respondents are published in the Statistical Database.
11.1. Quality assurance
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, EU Statistics Code of Practice and the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements provided for in § 7. „Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality assessment of the quarterly survey, which is the data source for most STS indicators, is based on quality requirements of the ESS (relevance, accuracy, timelines and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, coherence and comparability). The inspection of statistical survey, testing of statistical questionnaire and updating survey methodology, self-assessment of survey manager are carried out.
The quality of this indicator is quite good. Weaknesses: gross data are calculated basing on micro data having non-response about 30%. Strengths: length of time series since 2001; good consistency with SBS data.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Bank of Estonia
Media
Researchers and students
Enterprises/businesses
Eurostat
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 1996 Statistics Estonia conducts reputation surveys and user surveys. All results are available on the website of Statistics Estonia in the section "User survey".
12.3. Completeness
In compliance with the rules (regulations).
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness. The sampling error is small. The results are normally final after 60 days from the first release - at the same time with calculating indicators for current quarter, indicators for previous quarter are recalculated too.
13.2. Sampling error
Standard error estimates have been computed for all aggregate data. In 2024, the coefficient of variation of variables "number of employees and self-employed persons", "hours worked by employees" and "gross wages and salaries" for NACE Divisions A-S (except K and O) was about 1-3%. For MIGs standard error estimates are not computed.
13.3. Non-sampling error
The response rate is about 70% at the time data are first published and provided to Eurostat. Missing responses are requested by telephone contacts followed up by e-mail reminders. Imputation is used to compensate the non-response; this is made by means of VAT data or previous period replies. To compensate the non-responded enterprises with less than 20 persons employed, recalculation of weights is used. The data of non-responded enterprises were replaced by the respective average of responded similar enterprises. The impact of editing, coding, imputation and modelling errors is not calculated yet. In the case of imputation, the data are mostly influenced by the differences in definitions between administrative and statistical data.
At the time when data are provided to Eurostat and published nationally, the response rate is the same.
There are negligible non-sampling errors concerning coverage. Improvement actions include registry updates, careful logical and accounting controls and constant contacts with reporting units. The multiple listings are precluded because all of the enterprises are identified by a unique number. For data collection eSTAT (the web channel for electronic data submission) is used. eSTAT is also used to monitor the completion of questionnaires and includes instructions and arithmetic and logical controls. The questionnaire cannot be submitted, if it is not correctly completed. Therefore, the item non-response occurres very seldom.
14.1. Timeliness
The data are released 60 days upon the end of the reference quarter (T+60).
14.2. Punctuality
The data have been published at the time announced in the release calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The data are comparable with EU countries.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The data are comparable across time.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Data are related to statistical activities 20504 „Quarterly Accounts of Information and Communication Technology Sector” and 21405 „Quarterly National Accounts”. The data are also confronted with data from TSD declarations of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The data are coherent with annual SBS data. In recent years the difference with SBS data was 1-3%
15.4. Coherence - internal
Higher level aggregations are derived from detailed data according to pre-defined procedures.
The cost and burden are determined for statistical survey in total and it is not possible to calculate for separate indicators. The survey covers whole business sector and the information for the next variables are collected: turnover, costs, number of employees and self-employed persons, hours worked by employees, wages and salaries, stocks and investments.
The assessment of cost and burden covers the statistics for NSI as well as STS needs.
In 2024 total burden (respondents): 31390 hours per year.
Total cost (NSI): not available
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data revision policy is described in the Dissemination Policy of Statistics Estonia.
The same revision policy is applied to data realised nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The data may be revised when the data for next quarter are added.
18.1. Source data
Survey is used for indicators "number of employees and self-employed persons", "hours worked by employees", "gross wages and salaries" and "turnover".
Total population involves 124,900 objects. The sample involves 10,420 objects. All enterprises with 20 or more persons employed are surveyed totally. For small enterprises (0–19 persons employed), simple random sampling has been applied.
Data on the following tax returns are received from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board: value added tax return (form KMD) and declaration of income and social tax, unemployment insurance premiums and contributions to mandatory funded pension (form TSD).
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Quarter
18.3. Data collection
Data are collected through eSTAT (the web channel for electronic data submission) and from administrative data sources. eSTAT is also used to monitor the completion of questionnaire. The questionnaire have been designed for completion in eSTAT by the respondents themselves and they include instructions and controls. The questionnaire and information about data submission are available on the website of Statistics Estonia. Data are collected with the quarterly statistical questionnaires „Majandustegevus”.
18.4. Data validation
In order to ensure data quality, verification procedures are carried out: data verification at the data entry stage and error correction according to data checking protocol; the data completeness and the rate of non-response and missed data are determined; secondary editing (analysis of the primary data set and aggregate data) is exercised to identify and correct outliers. The statistical results are compared to the previous period and to the corresponding period of the previous year.
Before transmission to Eurostat, the structure of the data file and format is checked in detail.
18.5. Data compilation
Stratified sample survey. The population was stratified by economic activity and by number of employees. Enterprises with 20 and more employees are exhaustively surveyed. For small enterprises (with 1 to 19 employees) a stratified simple random sampling is used.
Approximately 10,420 units (8%) were sampled each quarter. Number of employees: Sample size 1 to 9: 7% 10 to 19: 26% 20 and more: 100%
For statistical units weights are calculated, which are used to expand the data of the sample survey to the total population.
The data of non-responded enterprises were replaced by the respective average of responded similar enterprises and with data from declaration of income and social tax, unemployment insurance premiums and contributions to mandatory funded pension (form TSD).
18.6. Adjustment
The TRAMO/SEATS method in JDemetra+ is used for calendar adjustment for indicators "hours worked by employees" and "gross wages and salaries". The adjustments are produced for Eurostat only and are not published as part of the national official statistics.
The direct method is used. Only few series are affected by calendars effects.
More information about the adjustment is found in added template.
Number of employees and self-employed persons (tööga hõivatud isikute kvartalikeskmine arv).
Hours worked by employees (töötatud tundide arv).
Gross wages and salaries (palgakulud).
9 June 2025
The number of employees and self-employed persons is defined as the total number of persons who work in the observation unit, irrespective of the length of their working week. The number of employees and self-employed persons includes:
working proprietors and unpaid family members;
full- and part-time employees, who are on the pay-roll;
persons who work outside the unit, but who belong to it and are paid by it;
persons temporarily absent from work (persons on sick leave, paid leave, study leave, on strike etc.);
seasonal workers, apprentices and home workers who are on the pay-roll;
persons, who work by contract agreement.
Unpaid family workers refer to persons who live with the proprietor of the unit and work regularly for the unit, but do not have a contract of service and do not receive a fixed sum for the work they perform. This is limited to those persons who are not included on the payroll of another unit as their principal occupation. The number of employees and self-employed persons excludes manpower supplied to the unit by other enterprises, persons carrying out repair and maintenance work in the enquiry unit on behalf of other enterprises, as well as those on compulsory military service and those who absent for an indefinite period. The number of employees and self-employed persons is calculated as an average of the quarter. Self-employed persons are included if they are registered in the register of economically active enterprises (Statistical Profile) as enterprises. Physical persons working on own account are not covered.
Hours worked by employees includes hours actually worked during normal working hours and hours worked in addition to those. When the exact number of hours actually worked is not known, it may be estimated on the basis of the theoretical number of working hours. Hours worked by employees data are recorded for a quarter. Self-employed persons are only included if they are registered in the register of economically active enterprises (Statistical Profile) as enterprises. Physical persons working on own account are not covered.
Wages and salaries are the total remuneration payable to all persons counted on the payroll (including home workers), in return for work done during the reference period. Data about wages and salaries are recorded for a quarter.
Reporting unit - enterprise, observation unit - KAU.
A list of enterprises, which are included in the register of economically active enterprises (Statistical Profile), excluding financial and insurance enterprises.
Number of enterprises in 2024 population frame: industry - 10180, construction - 16000, trade - 21760, services - 70726.
The whole country is covered. Activities outside the geographical coverage are included in the data.
Quarter
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness. The sampling error is small. The results are normally final after 60 days from the first release - at the same time with calculating indicators for current quarter, indicators for previous quarter are recalculated too.
Data are transmitted to Eurostat as index.
On national level the data are published as absolute values.
Stratified sample survey. The population was stratified by economic activity and by number of employees. Enterprises with 20 and more employees are exhaustively surveyed. For small enterprises (with 1 to 19 employees) a stratified simple random sampling is used.
Approximately 10,420 units (8%) were sampled each quarter. Number of employees: Sample size 1 to 9: 7% 10 to 19: 26% 20 and more: 100%
For statistical units weights are calculated, which are used to expand the data of the sample survey to the total population.
The data of non-responded enterprises were replaced by the respective average of responded similar enterprises and with data from declaration of income and social tax, unemployment insurance premiums and contributions to mandatory funded pension (form TSD).
Survey is used for indicators "number of employees and self-employed persons", "hours worked by employees", "gross wages and salaries" and "turnover".
Total population involves 124,900 objects. The sample involves 10,420 objects. All enterprises with 20 or more persons employed are surveyed totally. For small enterprises (0–19 persons employed), simple random sampling has been applied.
Data on the following tax returns are received from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board: value added tax return (form KMD) and declaration of income and social tax, unemployment insurance premiums and contributions to mandatory funded pension (form TSD).
Quarter
The data are released 60 days upon the end of the reference quarter (T+60).
