Peer review of statistics

The peer review of European Statistics ensures that European Official Statistics are comparable and of uniform quality. High-quality and reliable statistics production helps in understanding society and supports good decision-making.
Why peer reviews? To ensure high-quality statistics by: Checking that statistical authorities comply with European statistical quality principles. Identifying good practices and driving improvements. Enhancing national and European statistical systems.

The quality of statistics production means that the statistics meet the needs of data users, the statistics and statistical services are reliable and the data published in them are up-to-date, impartial and as comparable as possible.

The quality of Official Statistics of Finland are based on the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistical Commission and on the European Statistics Code of Practice.

What does peer review mean in practice?

In the peer reviews, international peer review groups assess the compliance of the institutes with the Code of Practice concerning the European Statistical System. The European Statistics Code of Practice concerns, for example, the independence of official statistics and the quality of processes and data to be published.

The peer review is conducted by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union. In addition to Statistics Finland, all producers of ESS statistics take part in the peer review in Finland.
Peer reviews at a glance. 1 National Statistical Institutes and Eurostat carry out rigorous self-assessments. 2. Statistical experts conduct in-country reviews. 3. The experts issue a report and recommendations for improvement. 4. National Statistical Institutes and Eurostat produce action plans to implement the recommendations and which are monitored annually.

The peer review includes self-assessment, an assessment visit, an assessment report and proposals for development based on it.

What is the timetable for the peer review?

Eurostat will conduct the round of peer reviews in different Member States in 2021 and 2022. Eurostat is the first to be assessed. This assessment is carried out by the ESGAB (European Statistical Governance Advisory Board).

Self-assessment will start in Finland in spring 2021 and the assessment visit will take place in November 2021.

Further information

Quality Manager Outi Ahti-Miettinen, tel. +358 29 551 2274