Eurostat

DSS November 2013

Strategic issues related to the modernisationof European social statistics

Standardisation of variables

Eurostat

Standardisation of variables (Proposal 7)

Very broad agreement to review definitions, response categories and implementation guidelines of all variables used in several surveys30 opinions, 29 in favour, 1 against?

"We support that further efforts need to be taken to harmonise the variables used in social surveys"

"The standardisation of variables and modules, as well as the review of definitions are very important strands of the modernisation strategy."

Eurostat

Core vs. common social variables

Core social variables:• Background variables• Obligatory in all social surveys (of households or individuals)

Common social variables:• Background variables• To be included in most, but not all social surveys (of

households or individuals)• Decision of inclusion to be based on relevance and on

precision considerations

Eurostat

Review of existing core social variables (Proposals 1 to 3)

Very broad agreement to delete 'Legal marital status' from list of core social variables28 opinions: 25 in favour, 3 against

Very broad agreement to downgrade 'status in employment' (self-employed / employee) to common social variable29 opinions: 24 in favour, 5 against

Broad agreement to delete 'economic sector in employment’ from list of core social variables28 opinions: 21 in favour, 7 against

Compromise proposal: downgrading to common social variable

Eurostat

Introduction of new core or common social variables (Proposals 4 to 6)

Health variables (see separate item on the agenda)

A majority is not convinced by the proposal to introduce 'participation in the information society' as a core social variable29 opinions: 7 in favour, 22 against• Measurement issue further work to be done by the subject matter

Working Group• Relevance issue further documentation to be providedEurostat will come back to the DSS with additional information

A majority supports the introduction of 'country of birth of parents' as common social variable28 opinions: 22 in favour, 6 against

Eurostat

Creation of standards for modules (Proposals 8 and 9)

Unanimous agreement to create standard modules on geographic information and demography 29 opinions: all 29 in favour

Broad agreement to pursue the standardisation of modules across surveys29 opinions: 27 in favour, 2 against