EUROSTAT –Unit F3 Living conditions and social protection statistics Presentation of the EHS (European System of Social Statistical Survey Modules) project ETS WG 24-25/9/2007 Point 6.1 of the agenda 1

In a nutshell A system of social statistical modules Two objectives: To rationalise existing and future household surveys To increase flexibility and timely response to user needs Providing a coherent overall design structure for social statistics System of household survey composed of: - Annual regular modules:  core variables module  and a module corresponding to the current ICT household survey - Biennial modules  EHIS-biennial indicators  and alternatively AES modules - Irregular modules (short-term and long-term) to answer new policy Commission needs Important work necessary to operationalise the project by 2010… Introduction Statistics is a human activity which is as old as our civilization era. Counting of livestock or prisoners goes back to the Soumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later under Aristotle’s philosophy «observation on a systematic way and application of the inductive method» (from the ‘effect’ understand the ‘cause’) becomes Ptolemeus (Soter)and the Alexandria’s Library principle. Romans have practiced the «population census». In the modern times and since the 17th century «counting of populations» becomes a systematic administrative concern and starts giving rise to the organization of statistical bureaus. By the end of the 19th century every European state possesses a National Statistical Service or Institute (NSI) which has the mission to produce «official statistics», that is to collect and disseminate data on a systematic way, about the main economic and social phenomena. 1

Main characteristics of EHS Flexibility of implementation at national level Annual periodicity. Delivery of microdata: confidentiality rules will apply. Target collection units: Individuals≥15 (some household information). Sample size for the EHS instrument as a whole: 270 000 individuals. Primarily funded by EU. Details to be examined. Start on gentleman’s agreement basis. Introduction Statistics is a human activity which is as old as our civilization era. Counting of livestock or prisoners goes back to the Soumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later under Aristotle’s philosophy «observation on a systematic way and application of the inductive method» (from the ‘effect’ understand the ‘cause’) becomes Ptolemeus (Soter)and the Alexandria’s Library principle. Romans have practiced the «population census». In the modern times and since the 17th century «counting of populations» becomes a systematic administrative concern and starts giving rise to the organization of statistical bureaus. By the end of the 19th century every European state possesses a National Statistical Service or Institute (NSI) which has the mission to produce «official statistics», that is to collect and disseminate data on a systematic way, about the main economic and social phenomena. 1

Preparation milestones April 2005 : SDG – first discussion September 2005 : DSS meeting – positive reception January 2006 : SDG – draft mandate for TF June & December 2006, April & July 2007: TF meetings February 2007: SDG meeting September 2007: DSS meeting December 2007: 5th TF meeting Introduction Statistics is a human activity which is as old as our civilization era. Counting of livestock or prisoners goes back to the Soumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later under Aristotle’s philosophy «observation on a systematic way and application of the inductive method» (from the ‘effect’ understand the ‘cause’) becomes Ptolemeus (Soter)and the Alexandria’s Library principle. Romans have practiced the «population census». In the modern times and since the 17th century «counting of populations» becomes a systematic administrative concern and starts giving rise to the organization of statistical bureaus. By the end of the 19th century every European state possesses a National Statistical Service or Institute (NSI) which has the mission to produce «official statistics», that is to collect and disseminate data on a systematic way, about the main economic and social phenomena. 1

 So far, progress mainly on: Developing the EU recommended schema Synthesis of national implementation plans Preparing a pilot data collection (to be launched in 2008) Introduction Statistics is a human activity which is as old as our civilization era. Counting of livestock or prisoners goes back to the Soumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later under Aristotle’s philosophy «observation on a systematic way and application of the inductive method» (from the ‘effect’ understand the ‘cause’) becomes Ptolemeus (Soter)and the Alexandria’s Library principle. Romans have practiced the «population census». In the modern times and since the 17th century «counting of populations» becomes a systematic administrative concern and starts giving rise to the organization of statistical bureaus. By the end of the 19th century every European state possesses a National Statistical Service or Institute (NSI) which has the mission to produce «official statistics», that is to collect and disseminate data on a systematic way, about the main economic and social phenomena. 1

The EU recommended schema: general principles 1) Fieldwork force overburdened in spring  avoid spring (Exception: ICT) 2) Seasonal effects  Continuous survey divided into four equal-sized, geographically and otherwise representative sub-samples 3) EU-27 sample of 270 000 persons (current working hypothesis) 4) EHIS-BI and AES in alternate years 5) Maximum interview duration: 45 min 6) Designed to integrate all four modules (ICT; EHIS-BI; AES; NCN) plus core variables but possibility to only integrate 3 or 2 out of 4 modules The EU recommended schema is only a proposal (flexibility principle)

The EU recommended schema: Survey structure and content

National implementation plans: number of countries by module and degree of implementation

New modules to answer Commission demands Various topics discussed by TF. Some topics easier to implement than others. Feasible now Some difficulties Perhaps long term Social participation (SILC 2006) Food consumption Discrimination Care services Victimisation Disability Accident at work and work-related health problems (LFS 2007) Fertility Youth Consumer protection Introduction Statistics is a human activity which is as old as our civilization era. Counting of livestock or prisoners goes back to the Soumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later under Aristotle’s philosophy «observation on a systematic way and application of the inductive method» (from the ‘effect’ understand the ‘cause’) becomes Ptolemeus (Soter)and the Alexandria’s Library principle. Romans have practiced the «population census». In the modern times and since the 17th century «counting of populations» becomes a systematic administrative concern and starts giving rise to the organization of statistical bureaus. By the end of the 19th century every European state possesses a National Statistical Service or Institute (NSI) which has the mission to produce «official statistics», that is to collect and disseminate data on a systematic way, about the main economic and social phenomena. 1

Future steps in 2007 Ensure in-depth coordination, full exchange of information and full compatibility both at EU and national levels between EHS, AES, ICT, EHIS groups; Preparation for the pilot experiment; Work on the sample size issue; Work on AES module to discuss the two alternatives AES survey to remain as a separate survey AES survey to be integrated in the EHS framework Split into at least two parts in order to respect the foreseen average duration of 20 minutes  Choice of the most relevant split among various proposals Reconciliation between the full EHIS (to be carried out at least every 5 years) and EHIS-BI (every two years). Seasonal effect to be looked at and evaluation of the need to repeat the EHIS-BI module 4 times a year; Paper on the process of selection and preparation of modules, e.g. the characteristics and constraints attached to the short-term modules. Introduction Statistics is a human activity which is as old as our civilization era. Counting of livestock or prisoners goes back to the Soumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later under Aristotle’s philosophy «observation on a systematic way and application of the inductive method» (from the ‘effect’ understand the ‘cause’) becomes Ptolemeus (Soter)and the Alexandria’s Library principle. Romans have practiced the «population census». In the modern times and since the 17th century «counting of populations» becomes a systematic administrative concern and starts giving rise to the organization of statistical bureaus. By the end of the 19th century every European state possesses a National Statistical Service or Institute (NSI) which has the mission to produce «official statistics», that is to collect and disseminate data on a systematic way, about the main economic and social phenomena. 1

Future steps in 2008 Prepare a revised paper on the EU recommended schema integrating the results of the work carried out in 2007 and of the pilot experiment; Update view of national implementation plans in view of the revised version of the EU recommended schema; Prepare a synthesis paper about the EHS project to be presented to the SPC for information; Look at Commission DGs' proposals for themes for Long-term NCN modules for the 2010 data collection; At the end of 2008, make a first evaluation of the pilot data collection. Introduction Statistics is a human activity which is as old as our civilization era. Counting of livestock or prisoners goes back to the Soumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later under Aristotle’s philosophy «observation on a systematic way and application of the inductive method» (from the ‘effect’ understand the ‘cause’) becomes Ptolemeus (Soter)and the Alexandria’s Library principle. Romans have practiced the «population census». In the modern times and since the 17th century «counting of populations» becomes a systematic administrative concern and starts giving rise to the organization of statistical bureaus. By the end of the 19th century every European state possesses a National Statistical Service or Institute (NSI) which has the mission to produce «official statistics», that is to collect and disseminate data on a systematic way, about the main economic and social phenomena. 1