1. 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

2. 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

3. 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: 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

4. 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

5.  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

6. 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 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)

7. The EU recommended schema: Survey structure and content

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

9. 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

10. 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 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

11. 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