‘Statistics under development’ are newly developed statistical outputs that use innovative data sources, methods, and technologies.
They may, for example, draw on new or previously unused administrative and privately held data sources, apply advanced analytical or modelling techniques, or use new technologies to process and analyse large or complex datasets.
This section replaces the former experimental statistics section. This change reflects the new framework introduced by regulation (EU) 2024/3018 for developing innovative statistical outputs and facilitating their eventual integration into the regular production of European statistics.
As part of this change some experimental statistics have been discontinued and some have become European statistics. For details, please consult our archive.
They enable Eurostat and the European Statistical System (ESS) to respond more effectively to growing and evolving information needs by providing relevant, timely, and increasingly granular statistics on emerging policy and societal issues.
They have not yet reached the full level of maturity expected of official European statistics in terms of quality assurance, coverage, harmonisation, or methodology. As a result, they may exhibit lower accuracy, have more limited comparability over time and between European countries, or involve data collection and calculation methods that are still being refined.
For this reason, they are published with clear labelling indicating that they are ‘under development’, together with methodological information on quality aspects. This helps users assess their strengths, limitations and appropriate uses.
As methods and quality improve over time, these statistics may be integrated into the regular production of European statistics.
In the ESS, statistics under development are produced at both European and national level. At national level, these statistics may be referred to by different names, depending on the terminology adopted by each national statistical institute. Information on these national-level outputs can be found through the European Statistical System page.