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.
Directorate "Business Statistics" Trade and Services
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Guglgasse 13 A-1110 Wien
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
15 June 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
15 June 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
15 June 2025
3.1. Data description
Index of services production.
The purpose of this indicator is to reflect the short term development of services production volume in the relevant categories of NACE Rev. 2: H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75), N as defined by the STS-regulation. The index is based on absolute values in unit 1,000 Euro.
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev. 2.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The indicators cover economic activities of NACE Rev. 2 sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N in the breakdown required by EBS-R. Turnover for the NACE Sections are based on a cut-off census. The threshold is set at a yearly turnover of at least 100,000€.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Generally, the definitions of turnover correspond to those provided for in the "Methodology of Short Term Business Statistics" produced by Eurostat. Turnover excludes VAT and is derived from monthly or quarterly VAT advance return for most of the enterprises; survey data is available for a subsample of enterprises. The reference period is the turnover flow during the calendar month excluding VAT. The index represents the value of turnover in constant prices.
3.5. Statistical unit
Either the enterprise (= legal unit in the Business Register (BR)) or the KAU is reporting unit and observation unit.
3.6. Statistical population
The target population are all active enterprises in the BR in NACE Rev. 2 sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N at the end of the relevant reference months. The BR covers enterprises with at least one employee or 10,000 Euro yearly turnover. The frame is a file extracted from the BR with every base year change and is updated with births and deaths of enterprises every month. Total population is about 190,000 enterprises.
3.7. Reference area
The geographical area covered is Austria as a whole.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Time series available for all aggregates of NACE Rev. 2 required by EBS-R.
Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N:
Monthly time series according to the NACE Rev. 2 with base year 2021=100 are available from 01/2021
3.9. Base period
Base year: 2021 Reference year: 2024
Index of services production. No absolute figures are published.
Monthly turnover
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
"Federal Statistics Act 2000" ("Bundesstatistikgesetz 2000", Federal Law Gazette I No. 163/1999 as amended)
Regulation on short-term statistics in the service sector, BGBl II no. 233/2003 as amended
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications and arrangements
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
No data are transmitted to other international organisations (except Eurostat).
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The legal base for statistical confidentiality is:
The general obligation to publish statistics and the strict provision on statistical confidentiality is regulated by the "Federal Statistics Act 2000" ("Bundesstatistikgesetz 2000") in the current version
The protection of personal data is covered by the "Data Protection Act 2000" ("Datenschutzgesetz 2000 (DSG 2000)", in the current version)
Regulation on short-term statistics in the service sector, BGBl II no. 233/2003 as amended
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Aggregated figures consisting of data of less than 4 enterprises are regarded confidential and therefore not published. In general, published STS aggregates are not confidential.
8.1. Release calendar
A release calendar covering release dates of the first/second half of the year is published on the website of Statistics Austria. News releases are announced in the release calendar as well.
Release is simultaneous. Along with the national release on the website of Statistics Austria and the data transmission to Eurostat the most important national users (Austrian Central Bank, Austrian Institute of Economic Research etc.) are informed separately. No prior access before official data release.
The "Federal Statistics Act 2000" ("Bundesstatistikgesetz 2000" in the current version) explicitly states in §30 (3) the obligation of Statistics Austria to inform without delay the Federal Ministry responsible for the subject matter concerned about the results of statistical surveys and to publish them simultaneously.
According to the release calendar of Eurostat the data are transmitted to Eurostat.
Data for the NACE Rev. 2. Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N is transmitted monthly to Eurostat and disseminated monthly to national users.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
In general, a press release is published, featuring the key figures. Press releases are issued online on the website of Statistics Austria at 9 a.m. Austrian local time.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
National publications are:
"Statistik im Fokus": "Konjunkturstatistik Handel und Dienstleistungen (SB 3.3)"
"Statistische Übersichten" (Statistical Overviews - Supplement to "Statistische Nachrichten")
Website of Statistics Austria: STATISTIK AUSTRIA – Industry, construction, trade and services – Short-term business statistics
STATcube database
Variables and breakdown of results as required by EBS-R.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The STATcube database can be found on the website of Statistics Austria: STATISTIK AUSTRIA – Databases / STATcube - statistical database (STATcube: Short-term indices services (base 2021)). This database is updated with every publication and published for the NACE Rev. 2. levels as presented in point 3.3. The time series goes back till 2021. All indices, including calendar and seasonally adjusted are provided. Monthly, quarterly and yearly results are available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
No microdata are available.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are sent to Eurostat.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Metadata and quality reports:
Statistical News 10/2013: "Short Term Statistics Trade and Services: Base year 2010 and new variables" (only available in German)
Standardised metadata and quality report for Short Term Statistics in Trade and Services (only available in German)
Conceptual overview available on the website: STATISTIK AUSTRIA – Industry, construction, trade and services – Short-term business statistics – Turnover index – Further documentation
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Metadata and quality reports:
Statistical News 10/2013: "Short Term Statistics Trade and Services: Base year 2010 and new variables" (only available in German)
Standardised metadata and quality report for Short Term Statistics in Trade and Services (only available in German)
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality checks and validation of data are done throughout the whole compilation process. This is described in the standardised metadata and quality report for Short Term Statistics in Trade and Services on the website of Statistics Austria. The chapter "Quality" of this report contains the following points:
Following relevant changes discussions with national experts and the Quality Committee of the Statistical Council of Statistics Austria are held for feedback and modification suggestions.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Index is based on suitable data, regular meetings with decision-making bodies and users take place. Publication of results according to the release calendar. Further methodological details and other information can be found in point 13.
Coverage of the index is the whole Austrian territory. Multiple plausibility checks concerning the legitimacy and cohesiveness of the data are done. Main quality problems consists of unit-non-response (due to the use of administrative data), NACE classification in the BR and different definitions for VAT and turnover.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Short Term Statistics are used by different national and international institutions and non-institutional users like media, enterprises, educational and research institutions and the public. Examples for national users are federal ministries, political institutions, interest groups and tourism associations but there is also an internal use by other statistics produced by Statistics Austria. International Institutions are e.g. European Commission, OECD, and the European Central Bank.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No index for user satisfaction is available, but there are regular meetings with national experts and essential users to react to new requirements, if these are not in contrast with legal necessities or constraints. In addition a user’s satisfaction survey takes place in periodic intervals. The survey 2013 has covered trade and services as a whole, ratings were from "very good" to "unsatisfactory" according to Austria's grade system in school.
Actuality was rated mostly "very good" or "good" by users (both clear above 30%, N=24), and periodicity was rated "very good" by more than 70% of the users (N=20). Scope and level of detail was rated "very good" by more of 50% and good by more than 20% (N=20). The availability of data was rated "very good" by more than 70% of the users (N=21), the comprehensibility of presentation and of metadata were rated "very good" by approx. 80% of the users (N=20, N=12). Accuracy was rated "very good" by over 60% and "good" by over 20% (N=22). Comparability was rated "very good" by nearly 60% and "good" by over 25% (N=22).
Every year, an advisory board for enterprise statistics is held where concepts and new developments are presented and discussed.
12.3. Completeness
This index is complete, there are no gaps or missing data parts.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Concept of a census, therefore no sampling errors.
The following non-sampling error can occur: Due to the linkage of data from the Federation of Social Insurances with the BR and the data from the Contributions to the Family Burden Equalisation Fund (FLAF), a loss of data due to missing linkage can occur. Missing data are imputed. Turnover for the NACE Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75), and N are based on a cut-off census. The threshold is set at a yearly turnover of at least 100,000€.
No release of preliminary results, final results with t+60.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Coverage errors: Approximately 90% of the active enterprises in the whole BR can be linked to VAT data. The missing 10% represent only about 2% of total turnover. Turnover for the NACE Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75), and N is based on a cut-off census. The threshold is set at a yearly turnover of at least 100,000€.
Data collection or access errors: In the case of group taxation, VAT declarations are available for the group head - distribution to different enterprises of the group has to be carried out manually. Dependence on the quality of the BR and the legal frame for timely VAT data has to be considered as well.
Response rate (unit non-response)/item non-response: Unit non response of VAT advance return. It is assumed that enterprises with a positive development report earlier. As available data is used as basis for imputation of missing data, a more positive result is possible. In 2024 the unit non response rate was 24.6%, these units are substituted based on the value of the previous year.
Editing, coding and imputation errors: In NACE activities with many small enterprises, the index can be influenced by imputation based on the design of the BR (minimum 10,000€ turnover per year or at least one employee).
Modelling errors: Slight differences in the definitions of the VAT and turnover from company accounts. Plausibility checks in the course of data editing minimise these effects. Changes of NACE classification, new enterprises and inactive enterprises are checked for plausibility and impact on results as well.
14.1. Timeliness
Results for NACE sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N are published about 60 days after the end of the reference month for all levels of detail according to EBS-R.
14.2. Punctuality
All data provided on time.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
For the whole Austrian territory the same statistical concepts are applied.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Time series for sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N according to EBS-R:
Monthly time series with base year 2021 and NACE Rev. 2 from 01/2021
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Coherence is described in the standardised meta information and quality reports for each statistical product of Statistics Austria. The most important sources for cross checks are structural business statistics and other statistical products of Statistics Austria e.g. foreign trade statistics, price statistics, VAT statistics, statistics of registration of new and used vehicles, consumer price index, wholesale price index, services producer price index, statistics of overnight stays, social security statistics, national accounts, studies from economic research institutes, press releases. All indices (turnover, employment, hours worked and wage and salaries) are compared to assure consistency of developments.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence is assured.
Burden on enterprises is zero because the data is gathered from administrative sources and the BR.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Since the services producer price index is used for calculation, which is published after the short-term statistics, revisions are possible whenever new data is available.
Revision of adjusted (calendar and seasonally adjusted) time series according to 18.6. Major revisions like base year changes are done according to Eurostat's requirements. There is no revision calendar.
Data transmitted to Eurostat is the same which is published nationally. The same release policy is applied to national releases and transmissions to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Schedule is based on Eurostat's release calendar.
Benchmarking for the most important aggregates is done in regular intervals. Results are compared to other relevant internal and external statistics. Differences in definitions and concepts have to be considered in the course of interpretation of results.
Revisions and methodological changes are discussed with all involved decision making bodies in advance and announced simultaneously. Data is stable.
No revisions except adjusted time series according to 18.6. Therefore, the Mean Absolute Revision (MAR) and Mean Revision (MR) for the unadjusted time series are both 0.
18.1. Source data
Administrative sources (monthly and quarterly VAT advance return from tax authorities) are used for the enterprises in the cut-off census. The business register is the frame on which the source is based. Sample design:
The main stratification of the population is conducted by 92 economic activities and four groupings of turnover size classes.
Turnover for the NACE Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75), and N are based on a cut-off census. The threshold is set at a yearly turnover of at least 100,000€.
The total size of the cut-off census for Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N according to EBS-R comprises about 89,000 enterprises.
Slight update with births and deaths of enterprises is done every month. A new sample frame is used with the change of the base year at five year intervals.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected monthly. The reference period for the turnover is the whole month.
18.3. Data collection
Data sets with monthly or quarterly VAT advance returns are transmitted from the Tax Authority electronically and linked with the enterprises of the BR. Large enterprises report their monthly turnover using a Web form for data transmission. For purposes of short term statistics these two data sets are combined for further calculation of turnover indices in the relevant categories of NACE.
18.4. Data validation
Validation level 0: Mainly administrative data sources are used so structure of files and format of data are not checked explicitly. In the web data the dimension is checked.
Validation level 1: Every change of NACE Rev. 2. in the most detailed level, new enterprises and inactive enterprises are checked for plausibility and impact. Furthermore considerable value-changes are checked.
Validation level 2: The actual reporting period is compared with the previous reporting period and the corresponding reporting period of the previous year. If there are any unexpected developments, the enterprise data are checked and possibly changed.
Validation level 3: The indices are compared to comprehend plausible and identify implausible developments. Furthermore, the indices are crosschecked with the number of persons employed of the same NACE Rev. 2. category.
Validation level 4: The results are compared with the annual structural business statistics and other statistical products of Statistics Austria e.g. foreign trade statistics, price statistics, VAT statistics.
Validation level 5: The results are cross-checked with publications of other external institutions. Further comparisons are made with studies from economic research institutes and news releases.
18.5. Data compilation
Data transmitted from the tax authorities are linked to enterprises of the BR and extracted for purposes of STS; non-responses are estimated in the following way: missing data for the month t are estimated by multiplying the data of the previous year in the same month (t-12) by a stratum-specific factor. If a value for the same month of the previous year is not available, the value of the previous month (t-1) is taken into account. This way, gross data can be calculated for each category of NACE. To get an estimator of total turnover, the value of each enterprise is multiplied with a stratum-specific grossing up factor (this is the ratio of population size and sample size in each strata). The values are summed up to each relevant category of NACE. The grossed up results are used for the computation of the index and are not disseminated.
The index is calculated from the grossed up totals and measures the turnover for each reference period and each subgroup as a percentage of the average value of the base year. Weights are updated in 5-year intervals with every base year change. Data is converted to SDMX and transmitted to Eurostat.
18.6. Adjustment
The turnover index is deflated using the appropriate services producer price index.
For seasonal and working day adjustment the R-Package persephone (based on RJDemetra) is used with X13-ARIMA. NACE aggregates are calculated by using the indirect method. The model and regressors are fixed in the program once a year, coefficients are estimated whenever new data becomes available. The calendar adjustment is based on a country-specific calendar. The adjustment is performed within the RegARIMA part of the program, including regressors for easter effects and leap year.
The seasonal adjustment decomposition (additive vs. multiplicative) is done dependent on the series' characteristics; Outlier identification (additive Outliers, Level Shifts and Transitory Changes) and model selection is performed automatically, if the automatic choice is not considerd adequate it is corrected manually; the whole series is revised every time a new value becomes available.
The purpose of this indicator is to reflect the short term development of services production volume in the relevant categories of NACE Rev. 2: H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75), N as defined by the STS-regulation. The index is based on absolute values in unit 1,000 Euro.
15 June 2025
Generally, the definitions of turnover correspond to those provided for in the "Methodology of Short Term Business Statistics" produced by Eurostat. Turnover excludes VAT and is derived from monthly or quarterly VAT advance return for most of the enterprises; survey data is available for a subsample of enterprises. The reference period is the turnover flow during the calendar month excluding VAT. The index represents the value of turnover in constant prices.
Either the enterprise (= legal unit in the Business Register (BR)) or the KAU is reporting unit and observation unit.
The target population are all active enterprises in the BR in NACE Rev. 2 sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N at the end of the relevant reference months. The BR covers enterprises with at least one employee or 10,000 Euro yearly turnover. The frame is a file extracted from the BR with every base year change and is updated with births and deaths of enterprises every month. Total population is about 190,000 enterprises.
The geographical area covered is Austria as a whole.
Monthly turnover
Concept of a census, therefore no sampling errors.
The following non-sampling error can occur: Due to the linkage of data from the Federation of Social Insurances with the BR and the data from the Contributions to the Family Burden Equalisation Fund (FLAF), a loss of data due to missing linkage can occur. Missing data are imputed. Turnover for the NACE Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75), and N are based on a cut-off census. The threshold is set at a yearly turnover of at least 100,000€.
No release of preliminary results, final results with t+60.
Index of services production. No absolute figures are published.
Data transmitted from the tax authorities are linked to enterprises of the BR and extracted for purposes of STS; non-responses are estimated in the following way: missing data for the month t are estimated by multiplying the data of the previous year in the same month (t-12) by a stratum-specific factor. If a value for the same month of the previous year is not available, the value of the previous month (t-1) is taken into account. This way, gross data can be calculated for each category of NACE. To get an estimator of total turnover, the value of each enterprise is multiplied with a stratum-specific grossing up factor (this is the ratio of population size and sample size in each strata). The values are summed up to each relevant category of NACE. The grossed up results are used for the computation of the index and are not disseminated.
The index is calculated from the grossed up totals and measures the turnover for each reference period and each subgroup as a percentage of the average value of the base year. Weights are updated in 5-year intervals with every base year change. Data is converted to SDMX and transmitted to Eurostat.
Administrative sources (monthly and quarterly VAT advance return from tax authorities) are used for the enterprises in the cut-off census. The business register is the frame on which the source is based. Sample design:
The main stratification of the population is conducted by 92 economic activities and four groupings of turnover size classes.
Turnover for the NACE Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75), and N are based on a cut-off census. The threshold is set at a yearly turnover of at least 100,000€.
The total size of the cut-off census for Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N according to EBS-R comprises about 89,000 enterprises.
Slight update with births and deaths of enterprises is done every month. A new sample frame is used with the change of the base year at five year intervals.
Data for the NACE Rev. 2. Sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N is transmitted monthly to Eurostat and disseminated monthly to national users.
Results for NACE sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N are published about 60 days after the end of the reference month for all levels of detail according to EBS-R.
For the whole Austrian territory the same statistical concepts are applied.
Time series for sections H, I, J, L, M (without 70.1, 72 and 75) and N according to EBS-R:
Monthly time series with base year 2021 and NACE Rev. 2 from 01/2021
