Eurostat experience on the harmonisation of data at European level Ian DENNIS Eurostat unit F3 European Seminar, 18 th January 2007

 The O.M.C. portfolio of headline indicators - Construction criteria - Weaknesses for child monitoring - The main data source: EU-SILC  The future of European Social Statistics - Working group on child wellbeing - Additional data sources Eurostat experience on the harmonisation of data

EU25 JRSISP2005, 2006 NEXT = EU25: Spring 2007 EU15: JPR 2003 EU25: JPR 2006 (tech) EU15: JIR 2001, 2003 NMS10: JIM 2004, JIR 2004 EU25: JIR2005 (tech), 2006 (tech) Publish analytical “Joint Reports” ISG progress reports to SPC… NEXT = December 2006 NEXT = EU25: July 2006 Peer review Agree set of common indicators (conceptual framework; list) Elaborate national plans Set common objectives Create institutional framework OMC element Bilateral and multilateral; Best practice benchmarking DG.EMPL note (Oct. 2004)Laeken (Dec. 2001) [ Lux. Presidency Conference 2005 ] National Strategy Reports EU15: 2002 EU25: 2005 National Action Plans EU15: , , NMS10: Social Protection Committee (and Indicator Sub Group) Streamlining - Mar Report on objectives and working methods Social Policy Agenda - Nice (Dec. 2000), revised 2002 Overarching 2006 Pensions Reform Laeken (Dec.2001) Social Inclusion Lisbon (Mar.2000) What is the Open Method of Coordination ?

 An indicator should identify the essence of the problem and have a clear and accepted normative interpretation.  An indicator should be robust and statistically validated  An indicator should be responsive to effective policy interventions but not subject to manipulation  An indicator should be measurable in a sufficiently comparable way across member states, and comparable as far as practicable with the standards applied internationally by the UN and the OECD  An indicator should be timely and susceptible to revision  The measurement of an indicator should not impose too large a burden on member states, on enterprises, or on the Union’s citizens. Principles of construction of indicators at EU level

 Initial indicator portfolio focus on material situation (household income; jobless households; asset possession and quality), and on old age.  Luxembourg Presidency report 2005 recommends ‘child mainstreaming’: standard breakdown now  Creation of an advisory working group on child well-being to make concrete monitoring recommendations Weaknesses of existing indicator portfolio for monitoring children

 Step 1: an evaluative review of existing data.  Child income poverty, with breakdowns by socio- demographic characteristics, labour market situation of parents, government intervention.  Other aspects, notably stability of family environment, material deprivation/housing conditions, educational outcomes.  Step 2: recommendations for a common analysis  Review of existing tools and approaches at national level  Identify dimensions specific to children, for example schooling, childcare, social participation, environment, health, perceptions…  Dynamic perspective; within household distribution of resources ISG Child Wellbeing Working Group

 Cross-sectional dimension The first priority : a picture of the population at a given time Yearly core data covering income, labour, demography, housing, health, education From 2005, an annual module intergenerational transmission; social participation; housing; overindebtedness  Longitudinal dimension The secondary objective : to study changes over time at individual level Yearly data, more limited in content EU-SILC : the current main data source

Improving existing statistics - Code of Practice 02/ Understanding user needs - Coordinating ESS (work groups, etc.); - Legislation where necessary - "Core Social Variables" The future of European Social Statistics Two key challenges : Relevance Comparability Consistency Accuracy/reliability Timeliness Accessibility Developing new domains : - Information society; Life long learning; Care of the elderly; Fertility; Service sector; Crime; Discrimination; Child poverty; Material deprivation; Sub-national estimates… - “European System of Social Survey Modules"

Each sample replication: 25-20min ?? Module15-20min ICT / EHIS 10min Core Var. (a)(b)(c) The wave approach gives flexibility