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.
"Dame Gruev" 4, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
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 June 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 June 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
30 June 2025
3.1. Data description
Producer price indices are important short-term indicators used to analyze business cycle trends in the service sector and as input to national accounts statistics. They are intended to track price movements that reflect supply and demand conditions in the services market. Service producer price indices in 2024 have been introduced for three types of services: Land and pipeline transport services, Postal and courier services and Telecommunications services. Other services are gradually being introduced in the survey, which will allow the calculation of the total price index of service producers.
The services producer price index is calculated quarterly by sections and divisions.
3.2. Classification system
National Classification of Activities - NACE rev.2.0 (NKD Rev.2) Classification of Products by Activities - CPA (KPD)
3.3. Coverage - sector
Sections:
H/ Transportation and storage
49 Land transport and transport via pipelines
53 Postal and courier activities
J/ Information and communication
61 Telecommunications
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
TC - transaction price, i.e. price of the same or very similar service to the same or different customers made at least once per quarter.
DC - the price of a full service with a predefined amount of services provided to the same customer for a period of not less than one year. The service is provided under the same contract to the customer at least once per quarter. The scope of the service is precisely defined in the contract (duration of the contract, quantities, prices and other basic price elements), so that the total amount to be paid for the services provided by the contract is determined in advance. If the price is determined by the contract for a longer period, for example, for a whole year, the same price is transferred from quarter to quarter, until the price of the contract is revised.
The selling price of services is the price at which the producer sells its services to buyers, in the largest quantities. The discount is deducted from this price. VAT should not be included in the price. The prices are expressed in denars as a unit of measure of the service.
The average quarterly price of a service is calculated when the total quarterly sales value (taking into account the previous definition) for that service is divided by the total quantity of the same service sold in that quarter.
3.5. Statistical unit
Reporting units: Enterprises which belong to sections: H/ Transportation and storage (49 Land transport and transport via pipelines and 53 Postal and courier activities) and J/ Information and communication (61 Telecommunications)
Observation units: Services Producer prices by enterprises belonging to sections: H/ Transportation and storage (49 Land transport and transport via pipelines and 53 Postal and courier activities) and J/ Information and communication (61 Telecommunications).
3.6. Statistical population
Enterprises in the field of services according to the EBS (European business statistics) regulations for sectors H/ Transportation and storage (49 Land transport and transport via pipelines and 53 Postal and courier activities) and J/ Information and communication (61 Telecommunications)
3.7. Reference area
Republic of North Macedonia.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Since 2021 to 2024
3.9. Base period
The base price used in the calculation of the indices is the price of the fourth quarter of the previous year. For comparability of indices in different periods (current quarter with quarter of previous year) all indices are reduced to the base year 2021=100.
Indices.
Quarter
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
NATIONAL LEGISLATION
Law on State Statistics ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" No. 54/1997, 21/2007, 51/2011, 104/2013, 42/2014, 192/2015, 27/16, 83/18, 220/18 and "Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia" No. 31/20) Programme of Statistical Surveys 2023-2027 ("Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia" No. 29/23 and 57/25)
EUROPEAN LEGISLATION
Methodology of short-term business statistics by Eurostat, European Business Statistics (EBS) Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on 27 November 2019, followed by the Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197
Eurostat Methodology of short-term business statistics, 2006.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Time series from January 2021: through eDAMIS to Eurostat.
Any individual or personal data, regardless of the phase of statistical observation, are treated as confidential data and can be used only for statistical purposes.
The release of data is in accordance with the Advance Release Calendar, which is updated quarterly and published on the State Statistical Office website.
All users have equal access to statistics at the same time: this means that the publication dates are announced in advance and no user has access to official statistics before they are published.
Statistical data are first published in the "News Releases" edition on the website of the State Statistical Office at 12:00.
The data are not disseminated in publication. The data are published only in a News release and in the Makstat database.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
MAKStat database available on the State Statistical Office website.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
The use of microdata by external users is possible only for research purposes and is done in accordance with the Law on State Statistics (Article 41, Article 42 and Article 43). Access to anonymised microdata is defined by an internal procedure of the State Statistical Office "Access to anonymised microdata for scientific research purposes" (Rules for access to anonymised microdata for research purposes).
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are transmitted through eDAMIS to Eurostat.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Methodology on Short-term Business Statistics, Interpretation and Guidelines, Eurostat
The State Statistical Office carries out statistical activities in accordance with the Statistical Business Process Model, which is based on the international model - Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM). The application of this model and international standards in statistical production ensures a high level of accuracy and comparability of data.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The data on the Services producer price indices are used by both the business community and the government as an economic indicator: The indices capture price movements, which enable to foresee the price changes on the services prices and are used to adjust other economic time series for price changes.
And the indices are used as the basis for indexing prices in contracts: The indices are commonly used in indexing purchase and sales contracts. These contracts typically specify amounts of money to be paid at some point in the future. It may be agreed to include an indexation clause that takes account of changes in prices.
Also, the indices are used for comparison with other countries.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Starting from 2009, the State Statistical Office conducts a User Satisfaction Survey every three years.
12.3. Completeness
According to the regulations given in concept 6.1, the State Statistical Office provides required data,
only in sections:
H/ Transportation and storage
49 Land transport and transport via pipelines
53 Postal and courier activities
J/ Information and communication
61 Telecommunications
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy is not assessed.
13.2. Sampling error
No measurement of the sampling errors.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Coverage errors: Data providers are reminded in a timely manner to fulfil their obligation.
Data processing errors: Rules for control and calculation of output data are implemented in the data processing application.
Non-response errors: Mean imputation method is used for non-response data.
Unit non - response: Reporting units which have not submit the fulfiled questionnaire on time are contacted by phone.
The results are not biased due to response rate.
14.1. Timeliness
In accordance with the Eurostat Compendium it is 90 days after the end of the reference period. In SSO the data are published in T+60.
14.2. Punctuality
Data are published according to the deadlines in the Publishing Calendar and forwarded / sent to Eurostat.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
There is geographical comparability of disseminated data at national levels.
Comparability is ensured at the international level, too.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Time series from 2021 according to NKD Rev.2 (2021=100) and time series comparability is ensured in the Makstat database.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The cross-domain coherence partly assured. Coherence between different types of prices is not assured.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence is assured, not all services are included.
In the questionnaires we submit to the reporting units, we have included the question of how long it takes to complete the questionnaire in order to reduce the burden on the reporting unit.
When data were revised (mostly with new base year) in the same time they are published nationaly on the web site and send to Eurostat.
There is no revision calendar.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data revision is done with changes of the base year and with changes in the classifications.
The survey was introduced as a regular survey in 2024, and data has been collected since 2021.
The base price used in the calculation of the indices is the price of the fourth quarter of the previous year. For comparability of indices in different periods (current quarter with quarter of previous year) all indices are reduced to the base year 2021=100.
18.1. Source data
Source data: Statistical questionnaire that are submitted to the reporting units and they are prepared with identification data, service codes, name and unit of measure, in accordance with the Classification of Products by Activities (CPA).
It is a sample survey and the framework for sampling Statistical Business Register. The sample is updated annually.
The method by which the data is collected: excel questionnaire filled in by the reporting unit.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Quarterly
18.3. Data collection
The reporting method is used when collecting data.
The reporting units fill in the data on the prices of services with a quarterly report (questionnaire).
Reporting units submit the quarterly report on service prices to the State Statistical Office within a certain deadline, based on the Program for Statistical Research for a certain year.
The deadline for submitting the completed reports to the SSO is 30 days after the end of the quarter.
18.4. Data validation
Validation of data in the form: Upon receiving the form (in Excel by e-mail), it is archived, recorded, controlled and entered into the application (in Access). The application carries out the mandatory controls according to the defined validation rules. In case of errors and/or illogicalities, the data providers are contacted. The coverage is controlled, which should be 100%, and also the quarterly price movements (compared to the previous quarter) that are outside the range of ±10%. Validation of output data: The output data (indexes) are analyzed and confirmed, at the level of class, department, section and in relation to the previous quarter, and with the same quarter of the previous year.
In relation to extreme values, the output data (indexes) are analyzed and confirmed at the elementary level (reporting unit).
18.5. Data compilation
Editing: The statistical survey is conducted quatrerly on the basis of a sample. Data collection is done via electronic mail, and data control and processing are performed in the SSO. During the data collection, it is possible that the specification for the same service for which the business entity provides us with data may change, or that the service may change during the year. At the beginning of the year, an annual update (replacement) of the sample of enterprises is made from the Statistical Busniess Register.
Imputation: Mean imputation method is used for non-response data.
18.6. Adjustment
The time series is not adjusted and the data is not adjusted seasonally.
No comment.
Producer price indices are important short-term indicators used to analyze business cycle trends in the service sector and as input to national accounts statistics. They are intended to track price movements that reflect supply and demand conditions in the services market. Service producer price indices in 2024 have been introduced for three types of services: Land and pipeline transport services, Postal and courier services and Telecommunications services. Other services are gradually being introduced in the survey, which will allow the calculation of the total price index of service producers.
The services producer price index is calculated quarterly by sections and divisions.
30 June 2025
TC - transaction price, i.e. price of the same or very similar service to the same or different customers made at least once per quarter.
DC - the price of a full service with a predefined amount of services provided to the same customer for a period of not less than one year. The service is provided under the same contract to the customer at least once per quarter. The scope of the service is precisely defined in the contract (duration of the contract, quantities, prices and other basic price elements), so that the total amount to be paid for the services provided by the contract is determined in advance. If the price is determined by the contract for a longer period, for example, for a whole year, the same price is transferred from quarter to quarter, until the price of the contract is revised.
The selling price of services is the price at which the producer sells its services to buyers, in the largest quantities. The discount is deducted from this price. VAT should not be included in the price. The prices are expressed in denars as a unit of measure of the service.
The average quarterly price of a service is calculated when the total quarterly sales value (taking into account the previous definition) for that service is divided by the total quantity of the same service sold in that quarter.
Reporting units: Enterprises which belong to sections: H/ Transportation and storage (49 Land transport and transport via pipelines and 53 Postal and courier activities) and J/ Information and communication (61 Telecommunications)
Observation units: Services Producer prices by enterprises belonging to sections: H/ Transportation and storage (49 Land transport and transport via pipelines and 53 Postal and courier activities) and J/ Information and communication (61 Telecommunications).
Enterprises in the field of services according to the EBS (European business statistics) regulations for sectors H/ Transportation and storage (49 Land transport and transport via pipelines and 53 Postal and courier activities) and J/ Information and communication (61 Telecommunications)
Republic of North Macedonia.
Quarter
The overall accuracy is not assessed.
Indices.
Editing: The statistical survey is conducted quatrerly on the basis of a sample. Data collection is done via electronic mail, and data control and processing are performed in the SSO. During the data collection, it is possible that the specification for the same service for which the business entity provides us with data may change, or that the service may change during the year. At the beginning of the year, an annual update (replacement) of the sample of enterprises is made from the Statistical Busniess Register.
Imputation: Mean imputation method is used for non-response data.
Source data: Statistical questionnaire that are submitted to the reporting units and they are prepared with identification data, service codes, name and unit of measure, in accordance with the Classification of Products by Activities (CPA).
It is a sample survey and the framework for sampling Statistical Business Register. The sample is updated annually.
The method by which the data is collected: excel questionnaire filled in by the reporting unit.
Quarterly.
In accordance with the Eurostat Compendium it is 90 days after the end of the reference period. In SSO the data are published in T+60.
There is geographical comparability of disseminated data at national levels.
Comparability is ensured at the international level, too.
Time series from 2021 according to NKD Rev.2 (2021=100) and time series comparability is ensured in the Makstat database.
