Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and microdata for research Tomaž Smrekar

SURS - mission To provide high-quality statistics and services for national and international requirements at minimal costs By respecting statistical confidentiality, the national statistics strengthens the trust of data users and data providers, and deepens its professional independence Ljubljana, 11 February, 2009

Register-based statistics More than 30 years of practice Infrastructural administrative registers (people, bussines, territory, houses) Uniform identification numbers (PIN, BIN, centroid) Administrative records from public and private sectors Influence of SORS on the classifications, identifications, methodology used Access to all administrative records at the micro level and with ID numbers for statistical purposes Ljubljana, 11 February, 2009

Microdata for research -How it started in SURS? Ad hoc bases before 2003 (not transparent, no equal access, contracts-yes) In 2003 it all changes: Pressure for population census microdata Question of equality of researchers Confidentiality committee established (advises to director, mix of experts) Rules and transparency (in the office and on internet) CD and safe room In 2005 remote access

Legal framework Law on statistics Confidentiality required No statement on official microdata for researchers Non-confidential microdata can be disseminated Personal Data Protection Law Protection of personal data required (inspections by data protection officer) Enterprise Law Business secrecy required

Cooperation SURS-ADP Started in 2002, improved in 2011 with DwB project Partnership – synergies gained by knowledge and resource sharing Results = promotion of the use of microdata = better service for research community = better policy-making = better life of people