1. TASK – a database at NUTS level 3
Pedro Ferreira
27-Sep-2010

2. Structure of my talk Problem statement LFS at NUTS 3
Urban / Rural typology
LFS at NUTS 3
Methodological issues
Results
Conclusions
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

3. Rural / Urban Typology
Recently a new Rural / Urban typology was agreed in the European Commission (DG REGIO and DG AGRI)
Typology built upon the aggregation of NUTS 3 regions
It will only be possible to produce indicators for rural, intermediate and urban areas if and only if NUTS 3 data is available
Consequence: there is an extra need for NUTS 3 data
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

4. LFS at NUTS level 3
In the LFS, only NUTS level 2 estimates are foreseen
Some Member States can provide NUTS level 3
Nevertheless, Eurostat asked the Member States to include the NUTS 3 code into the micro data
Goal: aggregate micro data belonging to the same NUTS 3 will give a rough but, most probably, unreliable NUTS 3 estimate
The issue with LFS at NUTS level 3 is, therefore, RELIABILITY.
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

5. Reliability of NUTS 3 estimates
Computing the reliability of an aggregate of NUTS 3 regions is a huge methodological challenge
Alternatives to measure the reliability of an aggregate were considered:
Formulae for upper limits for the CV;
Simulation
Others
Until now, no final conclusion. A lot of research is still needed
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

6. Reliability: a pragmatic solution
Member States send to Eurostat the reliability thresholds each year
The reliability thresholds are general and they are applied to all LFS estimate
The pragmatic solution: use the reliability thresholds provided by the Member States
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

7. The pragmatic approach: Pros and Cons
Easy to implement;
Already available;
Guarantee the quality of the estimate.
Cons:
Very conservative approach;
Hypothetically, there will be several estimates reliable enough but still will be flagged as not reliable
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

8. Reliability thresholds
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

9. Results (1)
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

10. Results (2)
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

11. Results (3)
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

12. Results (4)
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

13. Results (5)
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

14. Results (6)
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

15. Results (7)
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3

16. Conclusions
A big set of new indicators according to the rural / urban typology will be possible
There is a pragmatic solution for tackling the reliability issues which can be put in action immediately
Further research will probably allow to extend that set
Including NUTS 3 code in micro data is just a very small cost (e.g., adapting the extractions procedures) but with a big revenue
27-Sep-2010
TASK – a database at NUTS level 3