Modernising the system of micro-data collections in social statistics Item 2.1.3 of the agenda 21/22 March 2011 Meeting of the Directors of Social Statistics (DSS)

Why? To realise efficiency gains in order To make the system more responsive ________ Efficiency gains through - increased use of administrative information - rationalising the system of micro-data collections (in particular the survey components) 21/22 March 2011

The current situation Nine micro-data collections at EU level LFS, SILC, ICT AES, EHIS HBS, TUS SASU, ESHSI Potential for improvement due to - duplications/overlaps - insufficient integration - non-harmonised approach for ad hoc modules to the different surveys - need for a systematic review of accuracy/frequency requirements for variables across surveys 21/22 March 2011

A Eurostat proposal for a rationalised system Two pillars: ‘Labour’ and ‘Living conditions’ - two modular surveys Each pillar based on the current two main flagship surveys (LFS; SILC) Criteria for attaching modules to each pillar: mainly content-related sometimes sample size/timeliness Each pillar composed of: a main survey follow-up survey(s) 21/22 March 2011

Target infrastructure: a two-pillar modular approach LIVING CONDITIONS PILLAR LABOUR PILLAR Main survey Main survey Fixed component Rolling Modules Fixed component Rolling Module Follow-up surveys Follow-up surveys 21/22 March 2011

‘Living conditions’ pillar ‘Labour’ pillar ‘Living conditions’ pillar Main survey Fixed component Based on fixed component of LFS Transfer of information from/to AES Addition of variables for sub-sampling and linking/matching Rolling LFS modules Based on fixed component of SILC Improved timeliness Longitudinal data? Addition of variables for linking/matching Rolling SILC modules Follow-up survey(s) Sub-samples from the core sample Including modules on AES, ICT, modules to answer NPN and short fast-response module Full sample Including modules from EHIS and SASU 21/22 March 2011

Labour – follow-up survey Living conditions – main survey Year Labour – main survey Labour – follow-up survey Living conditions – main survey Living conditions – follow-up survey N Fixed component (+ fast-response module)+ LFS-RM ICT + AES1 Fixed component + SILC-RM EHIS1 N+1 ICT+AES2 EHIS2 N+2 ICT+NPN SASU1 N+3 Information dropped from SILC-core N+4 21/22 March 2011

Sources of efficiency gains Extended use of administrative information Systematic use of sub-sampling in the labour pillar Use of follow-up surveys in both pillars Limitation of overlap in terms of content (compared to the current situation) Efficiency gains would allow an improvement in responsiveness - via inclusion in the labour pillar of some new modules to answer new policy needs Integration would provide much richer data sets for analysis 21/22 March 2011

General feedback from DSS Integrated approach supported by most countries Proposed two-pillar approach: Ambitious proposal Diverging views Need for more detailed proposal Testing/piloting necessary Burden on sampled persons Contradiction between complexity and timeliness Alternative proposals made: one/three pillar approaches 21/22 March 2011

DSS feedback on pillar components Core of LFS/SILC: assess options for reduction RM (Rolling Modules): general support to move from AHM to RM Follow-up surveys: Quality of produced information A case for follow-up surveys? 21/22 March 2011

DSS feedback on the two pillars ‘Labour’ pillar Sub-sampling for small countries ICT Why link to LFS (subject-matter) Sample of persons ‘Living conditions’ pillar SILC already complex and overburdened Samples of persons for SASU/EHIS Difficult to increase the sample size (as needed for SASU/EHIS) Tension between longitudinal component and follow-up surveys No room for national modules 21/22 March 2011

Roadmap for 2011 DSS of March 2011: discussion of general approach Creation of an Expert Group to further elaborate the two-pillar approach: To explore potential challenges of implementation To evaluate potential impact on Member States DSS of September 2011: Discussion of a revised proposal including input from Expert Group 21/22 March 2011

Floor is open for discussion 21/22 March 2011