EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) methodology

EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) methodology is a Eurostat online publication describing the methodological and practical framework for the computation and production of the European Union's (EU) statistics on income and living conditions published in Eurostat's dissemination database. It provides information on the calculation of the published datasets, along with information on their quality and methodological limitations.

Table of contents

2. Concepts and contents

2.1 Household variables

2.2 Person variables

2.3 Linking variables

2.4 Auxiliary variables

3. Sampling

3.1 Sampling frame

3.1.1 Coverage errors

3.2 Sampling design

3.2.1 Integrated design

3.2.2 Sampling unit

3.3 Sample size

3.4 Sampling errors

3.4.1 Sampling error calculations for main EU-SILC indicators

3.5 Tracing rules

4. Data collection

4.1 EU-SILC implementation

4.2 Fieldwork periods

4.3 Mode of data collection

4.4 Interview duration

5. Data quality

5.1 Non-sampling errors

5.1.1 Measurement and processing errors

5.1.2 Non-response errors

5.2 Imputation

5.3 Weighting

5.3.1 Design weights

5.3.2 Adjustments for non-response

5.3.3 Adjustments for external sources - calibration

5.3.4 Trimming

5.3.5 Base weights

5.3.6 Cross-sectional weights

5.3.7 Longitudinal weights

5.4 Data validation

5.5 Quality Reports

6. Dissemination

6.1. EU-SILC datasets

6.1.1 People at risk of poverty or social exclusion (Europe 2020 strategy)

Europe 2020 target on poverty and social exclusion

Intersections between sub-populations of Europe 2020 indicators on poverty and social exclusion

6.1.2 Income distribution and monetary poverty

Monetary poverty

Monetary poverty of elderly people

In-work poverty

Distribution of income

6.1.3 Living conditions

Private households

Population structure

Health and labour conditions

Self-reported health

Housing conditions

Childcare arrangements

6.1.4 Material deprivation

Material deprivation by dimension

Economic strain

Economic strain linked to dwelling

Durables

Housing deprivation

Environment of the dwelling

6.1.5 EU-SILC ad-hoc modules

2011 - Intergenerational transmission of disadvantages

2012 - Housing conditions

2013 - Personal well-being indicators

2015 - Social/cultural participation and material deprivation