DS Metadata > code lists EN

Code lists are predefined, organised sets of items that present statistical concepts.

They are structural metadata used for describing the dimensions of a dataset. A dimension can consist of either all or a subset of items in a code list. Code lists are used for building the datasets and derived data products in the Eurostat's database.

Eurostat currently uses around 600 code lists to collect, store, and publish statistical data.

For example, the multidimensional dataset  Population on 1 January by age and sex [demo_pjan] uses the code lists age, sex, geo, time, and unit.

Eurostat is continuously working towards the harmonisation of structural metadata and the standardisation of the code list. It strives for an effective data presentation, and to improve data readability, usability, and comparability. More than half of the code lists used by Eurostat to disseminate statistics in its online database are standardised code lists.

Standard code lists

These are code lists that have been standardised within Eurostat. This means that unique concepts defined by unique codes are used in the dimensions of the datasets of different statistical domains.

The criteria for transforming code lists into standard code lists include:

  • implementation of official statistical classifications or widely-used international standards
  • implementation of corporate reference data assets
  • implementation of a unique concept in each code list
  • implementation of the Eurostat standard code list guidelines. They contain rules for establishing meaningful code identifiers, which are short representations or expressions of the code labels.

Standard code lists allow their cross-domain utilisation, which increases data comparability and interoperability and facilitates good database management. The standardisation of code lists also increases their reusability. Another benefit of code list standardisation, connected to database management and code list governance, is the reduction of the number of code lists in use, thereby facilitating their management.

Standardisation is an ongoing process.

Access

All Eurostat code lists are available in three languages – English, French, and German – from Eurostat's bulk download.

Eurostat standard code lists are also available in the Euro SDMX registry, Eurostat's implementation of a statistical data and metadata exchange (SDMX) registry.