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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. ‘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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Floor is open for discussion
21/22 March 2011