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.
The number of registrations and bankruptcies are classified by their main activity in the following NACE rev 2.0 breakdowns:
BTE (sections B to E);
F;
G;
H;
I;
J;
KTN (sections K to N);
PTSXS94 (sections P to S except S94).
3.3. Coverage - sector
All economic units active in Estonia, except households and embassies of foreign countries.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Registered enterprise – legal unit entered in the registrations register at any time during the reference quarter, according to the respective administrative or legal procedure.
Bankrupt enterprise – legal unit that has started at any time during the reference quarter, by court decision, bankruptcy declaration processings (which is often provisional and does not always mean cessation of activity).
3.5. Statistical unit
Enterprise.
3.6. Statistical population
Economic units, including sole proprietors.
3.7. Reference area
The whole country is covered.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data transmitted to Eurostat from 2010.
Data published nationally from 2021.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable because data are sent in absolute figures.
Number of registered and bankrupt enterprises.
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 § 32, § 34, § 35, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act.
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website of Statistics Estonia. Every year on 1 October, the release times of the statistical database, news releases, main indicators by IMF SDDS and publications for the following year are announced in the release calendar (in the 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 website 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 calendar.
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 33, § 34, § 35, § 36, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act. Access to microdata and anonymisation of microdata 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
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).
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The Quality Report sent to Eurostat is available on their website.
11.1. Quality assurance
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (ESS QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements in § 7. “Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Statistics Estonia performs all statistical activities according to an international model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process; this information can take many forms, including feedback from users, process metadata, system metrics and suggestions from employees. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report which outlines all the quality problems related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications;
State and local government institutions;
Non-profit organisations;
Entrepreneurs;
Research and educational institutions;
Eesti Pank (central bank of Estonia);
Eurostat.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 1996, Statistics Estonia has conducted reputation and user satisfaction surveys. All results are available on the website of Statistics Estonia in the section "User surveys".
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.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not measured because of the usage of administrative data.
14.1. Timeliness
The data are published 40 days after the end of the reporting quarter (T + 40).
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 the data of other European Union (EU) countries.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The data transmitted to Eurostat are comparable since 2010.
The data published nationally are comparable since 2021.
The same revision policy is applied to data released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The published data may be revised if the methodology is modified, errors are discovered, new or better data become available.
18.1. Source data
Data from the Centre of Registers and Information Systems.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Quarterly.
18.3. Data collection
Data are gained from the Centre of Registers and Information Systems through Data Exchange Layer X-Road.
18.4. Data validation
Arithmetic and qualitative controls are used in the validation process, including comparison with other data.
18.5. Data compilation
Published indicators are calculated on the basis of received data (Centre of Registers and Information Systems).
18.6. Adjustment
Not applied.
Not applicable.
Number of registered enterprises.
Number of bankrupt enterprises.
29 May 2025
Registered enterprise – legal unit entered in the registrations register at any time during the reference quarter, according to the respective administrative or legal procedure.
Bankrupt enterprise – legal unit that has started at any time during the reference quarter, by court decision, bankruptcy declaration processings (which is often provisional and does not always mean cessation of activity).
Enterprise.
Economic units, including sole proprietors.
The whole country is covered.
Quarter.
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness.
Number of registered and bankrupt enterprises.
Published indicators are calculated on the basis of received data (Centre of Registers and Information Systems).
Data from the Centre of Registers and Information Systems.
Quarterly.
The data are published 40 days after the end of the reporting quarter (T + 40).
The data are comparable with the data of other European Union (EU) countries.
The data transmitted to Eurostat are comparable since 2010.
The data published nationally are comparable since 2021.
