When you are planning to conduct a study

When you are planning to conduct a study using Statistics Finland’s unit-level datasets, you should explore the special features, price lists and licence process related to the use of datasets already at the planning stage.

Which unit-level datasets are available for research purposes?

Statistics Finland has compiled ready-made research data packages for research use, which are called ready-made datasets. The ready-made datasets contain a certain set of variables connected to the theme of the data module. The ready-made datasets contain particularly data related to individuals and enterprises.

In addition, we can tailor datasets to order for specific research needs.

Ready-made datasets are usually available faster for research use than tailored datasets. Fixed prices have also been set for them.

In addition to ready-made datasets and tailored datasets, Statistics Finland also has datasets compiled from interview surveys for research use.

View the Dataset selection

How are the datasets used?

Most unit-level research datasets are available only pseudonymised in Statistics Finland's FIONA remote access system. However, data on the person's age, sex, education, occupation and socio-economic group as well as cause of death data can be released directly to the researcher's own organisation or other remote access system.

Please note the restriction: a connection to a Finnish organisation is required for remote access use of datasets

It should be noted already at the planning stage that most research datasets obtained from Statistics Finland can be used only in the FIONA remote access environment. FIONA’s access agreement is always made with a Finnish organisation. The researcher must therefore have contact with an organisation that can conclude such an agreement. Researchers seeking remote access from abroad must be connected to a Finnish organisation.

Combining datasets is possible

Unit-level data obtained from Statistics Finland can be combined with other datasets, such as public statistical data or unit-level data obtained from other authorities.

If the dataset is to be used in the FIONA remote access system, the combining of the dataset is made by Statistics Finland.

Restriction in combining interview and survey data

Statistics Finland’s research datasets can be combined with interview surveys or other surveys only if the subjects have been informed of the combining of other datasets.

Would a data file be sufficient?

Data for research can also be formed from Statistics Finland's statistics. These data do not include unit-level data.

Statistical data compiled to order

Be prepared for costs

It is advisable to be prepared for all costs related to the use of datasets and make sure that funding covers all of them. Costs are incurred from

the user licence needed for the use of datasets
the user fee for datasets
using the remote access system if the dataset is such that it can only be used in the remote access system.

User licence

A user licence must be applied for research datasets. The user licence is subject to a charge. The price of the licence depends on the extent of the licence. Changes to user licences are also chargeable.

Datasets

Ready-made datasets are divided into two price categories, and a fixed basic price has been defined for both. When applying for ready-made datasets, the research project needs to specify for which years it wants to have access to the dataset. The licence for ready-made datasets is granted for certain years and the licence can also be granted in advance for ready-made datasets for coming years.

The price of a ready-made dataset is charged from ready-made datasets when they are opened for the use of the research project. If the research project is also licensed for future years' updates, an annual update price is invoiced for taking the updating of the dataset for the use of the project in the FIONA remote access system.

Changes to the user licence are subject to a charge.

A price is defined for a dataset to be tailored according to the amount of work.

Remote access system

Many datasets are only available through the FIONA remote access system. You must pay separately for using the remote access system.

How are the datasets accessed and how fast?

Access to unit-level datasets for research use requires a user licence.  The user licence is usually applied for by the researcher in charge specified for the project.

In straightforward cases the processing of an application takes from around one to two weeks. After that, it will take a few weeks to process a simple dataset. In the most demanding cases, it may take as long as several months to process the user licence and the dataset.

View the status of the application processing queue

Do you want to ask about the dataset and the application process? Book an appointment!

You can book a 30-minute appointment with the Research Services to ask about the datasets, remote access use and licence process before submitting the actual application. The meeting is free of charge.

If you need further clarifications or a detailed analysis of the datasets after the meeting, they are subject to a charge. An hourly fee in accordance with the price list is charged for the analyses

Book an appointment via the licensing service