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 data collection provides information and comparable measurements on the different aspects of the quality of urban life in cities.
3.2. Classification system
Specific classification and coding systems have been developed for the spatial units and for the variables and indicators of the Urban Audit project.
Classification system for the spatial units
The city code consists of a 2-digit country code, a 3-digit city code and a final C for Central City - for FUA an F is used.
Classification system for the UA variables
A variable is the raw data collected by the national statistical offices of the countries. The variable data serves as the raw data for the calculation of the indicators. The variables serve as either the numerator or denominator of the indicator equation, depending on how this has been defined.
Classification system for the UA indicators
Indicators are labelled in a similar way to variables, except that the names end with an I to identify them as indicators.
For examples on these classifications please refer to the UA reference metadata.
Hungarian Central Statistical Office is sending data for 12 cities which is mentioned below.
Table 1. Basic data of cities participated in the data collection
City code
City name
FUA code
Number of municipalities in the FUA
HU001C
Budapest
HU001F
241
HU002C
Miskolc
HU002F
111
HU003C
Nyíregyháza
HU003F
46
HU004C
Pécs
HU004F
158
HU005C
Debrecen
HU005F
40
HU006C
Szeged
HU006F
29
HU007C
Győr
HU007F
96
HU008C
Kecskemét
HU008F
30
HU009C
Székesfehérvár
HU009F
67
HU010C
Szombathely
HU010F
97
HU012C
Tatabánya
HU012F
21
HU019C
Sopron
HU019F
31
3.3. Coverage - sector
The indicators and variables cover several aspects of quality of life, for e.g. demography, nationality, housing, health, crime, labour market, income disparity, local administration, educational qualifications, environment, travel patterns, education and training provision, economic activity
For most of the indicators, existing international standards have been followed as far as possible.
Detailed information on concepts and definitions used are available from the City statistics manual.
3.5. Statistical unit
For the complete description of variables and statistical units, see the City statistics manual.
3.6. Statistical population
In the Urban Audit data is collected for cities and functional urban areas. Detailed information on definitions used are available from the City statistics manual.
3.7. Reference area
Cities: Budapest, Miskolc, Nyíregyháza, Pécs, Debrecen, Szeged, Győr, Kecskemét, Székesfehérvár, Szombathely, Tatabánya and Sopron.
3.8. Coverage - Time
2024.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit of measurement varies from indicator to indicator; from variable to variable. In most cases the unit of measurement is included in the label.
Data collected for the "Data collection for sub-national statistics" project cover the reference years 2024.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
All data supply of urban statistics is based on a voluntary agreement, as there is no Community legislation yet on this topic (for more information access EUR-Lex website).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
8.1. Release calendar
Not applicable.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not applicable.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not applicable.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
For most variables the definitions given in the City statistics manual have been followed. For detailed information about the deviations in the methodology will be found in the Final report of the project.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality assurance procedures described in the City statistics manual have been applied. The complete set of validation rules has been observed.
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality of data is fully assessed using internal validation procedures and Eurostat’s validation methods.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not applicable.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable.
12.3. Completeness
Data availability differs from domain to domain. Missing data will be presented by variable code, spatial level and reference year in the Final report of the project.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Not applicable.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Data collected for the reference years 2024. The first Eurostat releases of Hungarian city data in most cases are less than T+24 months.
14.2. Punctuality
The punctuality was adequate.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Due to some deviating definitions and different data sources used, the comparability of data is limited to some extent. Detailed information on data sources and deviating definitions will be available in the Final report of the project.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Most of the data are comparable over time. A break in time series was indicated for Demographic indicators due to the 2011 census. Population figures are comparable, from reference year 2011.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The same data are used in national dissemination.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence (e.g. between spatial levels, between indicators such as total, male, female population) is ensured through the application of multivariable and univariate validation controls.
The data collection is mostly based on data available in the National Statistical System. Very limited amount of data is received from other organizations.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Most data are coming from census, statistical and administrative registers or exhaustive data collections.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
Not applicable.
18.4. Data validation
Data validation contained arithmetical, logical and qualitative checking. The aggregate data of the current year were compared with the final results of the previous periods, other surveys carried out by HCSO and administrative data. Data validation also covered the detection of divergent values and (if any) significant changes in the patterns, checking of correlation among possible interfaces. Missing values of statistical indicators were recorded, wrong – corrected.
18.5. Data compilation
Estimations were used in case of some variables. In most cases the data was compliled from statistical registers.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
None.
The data collection provides information and comparable measurements on the different aspects of the quality of urban life in cities.
25 September 2025
For most of the indicators, existing international standards have been followed as far as possible.
Detailed information on concepts and definitions used are available from the City statistics manual.
For the complete description of variables and statistical units, see the City statistics manual.
In the Urban Audit data is collected for cities and functional urban areas. Detailed information on definitions used are available from the City statistics manual.
Cities: Budapest, Miskolc, Nyíregyháza, Pécs, Debrecen, Szeged, Győr, Kecskemét, Székesfehérvár, Szombathely, Tatabánya and Sopron.
Data collected for the "Data collection for sub-national statistics" project cover the reference years 2024.
Not applicable.
The unit of measurement varies from indicator to indicator; from variable to variable. In most cases the unit of measurement is included in the label.
Estimations were used in case of some variables. In most cases the data was compliled from statistical registers.
Most data are coming from census, statistical and administrative registers or exhaustive data collections.
Not applicable.
Data collected for the reference years 2024. The first Eurostat releases of Hungarian city data in most cases are less than T+24 months.
Due to some deviating definitions and different data sources used, the comparability of data is limited to some extent. Detailed information on data sources and deviating definitions will be available in the Final report of the project.
Most of the data are comparable over time. A break in time series was indicated for Demographic indicators due to the 2011 census. Population figures are comparable, from reference year 2011.
