Renovation building: documentation of statistics
4.12.2024 valid documentation
Basic data of the statistics
Data description
The statistics on renovation building consist of three separate statistical releases. They are the statistical release on renovation of buildings and apartments, the statistical release on renovations of non-residential buildings and the statistical release on renovation of building construction companies.
The statistics on renovation of buildings and apartments describe the renovation measures directed to the stock of residential buildings and dwellings and the reasons for them. The statistics on renovation of buildings and apartments are divided into parts according to type of building. The building type categories are one-dwelling and two-dwelling houses, terraced houses and blocks of flats. The statistics are based on direct inquiries carried out each year.
The statistics on the renovations of non-residential buildings describe the value of the renovation measures on the building stock at annual level. The categories of intended purpose of use in the statistical releases are as follows: office and commercial buildings, industrial buildings and warehouses and service buildings. Service buildings comprise educational buildings, health centre and hospital buildings and social welfare buildings.
The statistics on the renovation of building construction enterprises describe the value of the annually renovation contracts of housing construction enterprises with at least five employees. Construction contracts are grouped into newbuilding and renovation of existing buildings. Renovation contracts are divided into contracts involving residential buildings and contracts involving other buildings.
The statistics on renovation of buildings and apartments describe the renovation measures directed to the stock of residential buildings and dwellings and the reasons for them. The statistics on renovation of buildings and apartments are divided into parts according to type of building. The building type categories are one-dwelling and two-dwelling houses, terraced houses and blocks of flats. The statistics are based on direct inquiries carried out each year.
The statistics on the renovations of non-residential buildings describe the value of the renovation measures on the building stock at annual level. The categories of intended purpose of use in the statistical releases are as follows: office and commercial buildings, industrial buildings and warehouses and service buildings. Service buildings comprise educational buildings, health centre and hospital buildings and social welfare buildings.
The statistics on the renovation of building construction enterprises describe the value of the annually renovation contracts of housing construction enterprises with at least five employees. Construction contracts are grouped into newbuilding and renovation of existing buildings. Renovation contracts are divided into contracts involving residential buildings and contracts involving other buildings.
Statistical population
The statistical population of the statistics on renovation of buildings and apartments consists of dwellings and housing corporations. Owner-occupied and right-of-occupancy dwellings located in Finland are included in the statistical population of dwellings. Buildings that are less than two years old are not included in the statistical population. Housing companies are included in the statistical population of housing corporations. Only housing companies with at least one block of flats or terraced house are included in the statistical population of housing companies.
The following buildings located in Finland comprise the population of the statistics on renovations of non-residential buildings: office and commercial buildings, industrial buildings and warehouses and service buildings. Service buildings comprise educational buildings, health centre and hospital buildings and social welfare buildings.
The population of the statistics on renovation of building construction enterprises comprises the construction enterprises with at least five employees entered in Statistics Finland’s Register of Enterprises and Establishments. The sample is constructed in accordance with Section 3.3. The statistical population comprises more than 5,000 enterprises. Constructor enterprises that are not involved in building contracting work are not included in the population.
The following buildings located in Finland comprise the population of the statistics on renovations of non-residential buildings: office and commercial buildings, industrial buildings and warehouses and service buildings. Service buildings comprise educational buildings, health centre and hospital buildings and social welfare buildings.
The population of the statistics on renovation of building construction enterprises comprises the construction enterprises with at least five employees entered in Statistics Finland’s Register of Enterprises and Establishments. The sample is constructed in accordance with Section 3.3. The statistical population comprises more than 5,000 enterprises. Constructor enterprises that are not involved in building contracting work are not included in the population.
Statistical unit
A dwelling, housing company and building are the statistical units used in the statistics on renovation of buildings and apartments.
A building is the statistical unit used in the statistics on renovations of non-residential buildings.
A construction enterprise is the statistical unit used in the statistics on renovation of building construction enterprises.
A building is the statistical unit used in the statistics on renovations of non-residential buildings.
A construction enterprise is the statistical unit used in the statistics on renovation of building construction enterprises.
Unit of measure
The data contained in the statistics are published as euro-denominated data, euro-denominated data related to floor area, percentage distributions or working days.
Reference period
The reference period of the statistics is one year. The value data on renovation building of construction enterprises concern the accounting period ending during the statistical year.
Reference area
The statistics on renovation building are published at the level of the whole country.
Sector coverage
Renovations of buildings and apartments cover housing companies that comprise at least one block of flats or terraced house. One-dwelling and two-dwelling houses and dwellings in blocks of flats and terraced houses in which the owners live are included in the statistics. Right-of-occupancy dwellings are also included in the statistics. Other dwellings and residential buildings are not included in the statistics.
The following categories are included in the renovations of non-residential buildings: office and commercial buildings, industrial buildings and warehouses and service buildings. Service buildings comprise educational buildings, health centre and hospital buildings and social welfare buildings. Other buildings are not included in the statistics.
The sample of renovation building of construction enterprises comprises all enterprises with at least 60 employees (the minimum was raised from 50 to 60 in 2020) and enterprises with a turnover of more than EUR 40 million or a balance sheet value of more than EUR 300 million. Large construction enterprises are comprehensively represented in the statistics. Enterprises under the threshold but employing more than five persons have been selected to the sample using stratified random sampling. The strata are based on the size and industrial classification of the enterprise. Small enterprises with fewer than five employees are not included in the statistics. Many small construction enterprises concentrate on renovation building (such as installation and finishing work).
The following categories are included in the renovations of non-residential buildings: office and commercial buildings, industrial buildings and warehouses and service buildings. Service buildings comprise educational buildings, health centre and hospital buildings and social welfare buildings. Other buildings are not included in the statistics.
The sample of renovation building of construction enterprises comprises all enterprises with at least 60 employees (the minimum was raised from 50 to 60 in 2020) and enterprises with a turnover of more than EUR 40 million or a balance sheet value of more than EUR 300 million. Large construction enterprises are comprehensively represented in the statistics. Enterprises under the threshold but employing more than five persons have been selected to the sample using stratified random sampling. The strata are based on the size and industrial classification of the enterprise. Small enterprises with fewer than five employees are not included in the statistics. Many small construction enterprises concentrate on renovation building (such as installation and finishing work).
Time coverage
The annual data contained in the statistics are available on the website from 2003 onwards. Most of the existing data content is available from 2013 onwards.
The time series of the renovation of building construction enterprises based on a new calculation method start from the year 2012.
The time series of the renovation of building construction enterprises based on a new calculation method start from the year 2012.
Frequency of dissemination
Separate data contained in the statistics are published each year.
Concepts
Activated repair costs
Activated repair costs refer to the costs arising from basic repairs or renovations that are not entered in the profit and loss account as expenditure for the accounting period. Activated repair costs are included in current assets and increase their value.
Annual repairs
Annual repairs refer to costs entered as expenditure in the profit and loss accounts of housing companies.
Basic renovation
Basic renovation refers to making a building or the condition of a building as good as when new. Partitioning of flats, insulation of walls, renewal of floor structures, and refitting of kitchens and bathrooms represent basic renovation.
Housing company
A limited liability company is considered to be a housing company if its purpose is the ownership and possession of one or more buildings in which ( not necessarily) over half of the total floor area is specified in the articles of association as residential apartments in the possession of shareholders; and each share in it confers the right, either alone or together with other shares, to the possession of an apartment or other part of the company's building or real estate in its possession.
Maintenance
Activity related to the maintenance of real estate in which the aim is retention of the properties of the real estate by renewing or repairing faulty or worn parts without changing its relative level of quality.
Modernisation
Modernisation is an operation which usually raises the value or quality of a building above its previous level.
Renovation
In broad terms renovation refers to all activity aimed at improvement and maintenance of the condition of an existing building or parts thereof.
In Statistics Finland's different statistics, renovation is broken down to basic renovation and refurbishment. The term used for refurbishment varies in different statistics. In the Household Budget Survey, for instance, it is referred to as maintenance repairs.
In national accounts, building renovation is included in fixed capital formation and refers to fundamental improvement of a building. After renovation the value of a building is comparable to new.
Refurbishment is a less significant activity than renovation. Refurbishment refers to regular repairs and maintenance to buildings or parts thereof (also referred to annual repairs).
Building extensions count as newbbuilding.
In Statistics Finland's different statistics, renovation is broken down to basic renovation and refurbishment. The term used for refurbishment varies in different statistics. In the Household Budget Survey, for instance, it is referred to as maintenance repairs.
In national accounts, building renovation is included in fixed capital formation and refers to fundamental improvement of a building. After renovation the value of a building is comparable to new.
Refurbishment is a less significant activity than renovation. Refurbishment refers to regular repairs and maintenance to buildings or parts thereof (also referred to annual repairs).
Building extensions count as newbbuilding.
Reparation measure
A reparation measure refers to an operation that changes or completely replaces an individual structure, part or system of a building.
Accuracy, reliability and timeliness
Overall accuracy
A separate non-response interview is carried out in the survey on owner-occupied housing. A total of 500 dwellings are randomly selected for the interview from among non-respondents. The non-response interview is carried out because it can be assumed that the level of renovation activity among non-respondents differs from respondents. The non-response interview is used to correct the bias arising from the non-response.
Annual sample surveys are carried out separately. The sum data describe the amount of money spent on renovation building each year. The method used in the statistics does not include the calculation of the annual change percentage.
The data on renovation of building construction enterprises are checked and the necessary background data (background variables) on construction enterprises are obtained from the enterprises’ financial statements. Large construction enterprises are comprehensively represented in the statistics. Non-response is higher among small enterprises. Non-response interviews (such as the surveys on owner-occupied housing) are not carried out.
Annual sample surveys are carried out separately. The sum data describe the amount of money spent on renovation building each year. The method used in the statistics does not include the calculation of the annual change percentage.
The data on renovation of building construction enterprises are checked and the necessary background data (background variables) on construction enterprises are obtained from the enterprises’ financial statements. Large construction enterprises are comprehensively represented in the statistics. Non-response is higher among small enterprises. Non-response interviews (such as the surveys on owner-occupied housing) are not carried out.
Timeliness
The statistics on renovation building are published within one year of the end of the reference period.
Punctuality
The data are published on the days indicated in the release calendar.
Comparability
Comparability - geographical
European definitions according to the STS Regulation are used in the production of the statistics, so the data of the statistics are internationally comparable and cover the whole of Finland.
Comparability - over time
Changes were made in the statistics on service buildings in 2017. The 2016 data on renovations of service buildings are not comparable with statistics for earlier years.
Changes in the statistics on housing company renovation building were made in 2014, and they concern the method, data collection and data processing. The data are not comparable with statistics for earlier years.
Changes in the statistics on housing company renovation building were made in 2013, and they concern the method and data processing. In connection with the changes, the data from 2009 onwards were calculated using the new method and the earlier data for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 have been revised. The database tables published using the old method will no longer be updated.
The value data on renovation of building construction enterprises are comparable for the period 1996 to 2008. The basic population of the survey has been expanded and the figures for 2009 are based on a revised sample and they are not comparable with earlier years. The new standard industrial classification TOL 2008 brought changes in the contents of the construction industry from 2008 onwards. The figures for 2012 are not comparable with earlier years as the basic population has been expanded and the questionnaire form has been revised. The figures published from 2012 onwards are comparable with each other.
Changes in the statistics on housing company renovation building were made in 2014, and they concern the method, data collection and data processing. The data are not comparable with statistics for earlier years.
Changes in the statistics on housing company renovation building were made in 2013, and they concern the method and data processing. In connection with the changes, the data from 2009 onwards were calculated using the new method and the earlier data for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 have been revised. The database tables published using the old method will no longer be updated.
The value data on renovation of building construction enterprises are comparable for the period 1996 to 2008. The basic population of the survey has been expanded and the figures for 2009 are based on a revised sample and they are not comparable with earlier years. The new standard industrial classification TOL 2008 brought changes in the contents of the construction industry from 2008 onwards. The figures for 2012 are not comparable with earlier years as the basic population has been expanded and the questionnaire form has been revised. The figures published from 2012 onwards are comparable with each other.
Coherence - cross domain
Statistics Finland publishes the index of construction turnover on a monthly basis. However, no separate figures for the turnover of renovation and newbuilding are given in the statistics. Statistics Finland also publishes statistics on building and dwelling production statistics describing newbuilding subject to permit. They do not contain any figures for renovation building subject to permit.
Coherence - internal
Data on renovation of building construction enterprises are not coherent with other renovation building statistics.
The statistics on renovation of building construction enterprises cover renovation of building construction enterprises with at least five employees. Renovation of buildings and apartments covers all renovation building irrespective of whether it is carried out by companies employing at least five persons or other parties. However, no value is calculated for self-made work or unpaid work in the renovation of dwellings and residential buildings. In this respect, renovation of building construction enterprises is not coherent with other renovation building statistics.
The statistics on renovation of building construction enterprises cover renovation of building construction enterprises with at least five employees. Renovation of buildings and apartments covers all renovation building irrespective of whether it is carried out by companies employing at least five persons or other parties. However, no value is calculated for self-made work or unpaid work in the renovation of dwellings and residential buildings. In this respect, renovation of building construction enterprises is not coherent with other renovation building statistics.
Source data and data collections
Source data
Statistics Finland’s own data collections:
1. Renovation of dwellings and one-dwelling houses
The inquiry about renovation of owner-occupied dwellings is carried out among residents of one-dwelling and two-dwelling homes, terraced houses and blocks of flats. Buildings that are less than two years old are not included in the inquiry. No data are collected from tenants in the annual inquiries.
The dwelling renovation inquiry carried out among residents of owner-occupied homes is sent to 5,000 persons. The sample is drawn using systematic random sampling on the basis of the Population Information System building and dwelling data. The frame is stratified in accordance with the dwelling type into three strata: one-dwelling houses (incl. chain houses), terraced houses and blocks of flats. In all strata, the dwellings are arranged in accordance with the domicile code and a systematic random sample is drawn. This produces an implicit regional stratification. The data are collected on response forms by post and online.
2. Renovation building in housing companies
In the collection of data on renovations in housing companies, questions are asked about renovation building in housing companies. The data are collected from the managers of the housing companies included in the sample.
The sample is drawn from the real estate register of the Finnish Tax Administration. The size of the annual sample is approximately 4,000 housing companies of which 3,200 housing companies also take part in the financial survey of housing companies.
3. Renovations of public service buildings
The statistics on service buildings not owned by municipalities are based on a sample drawn from real estate data of the Finnish Tax Administration. The data on buildings owned by municipalities have been drawn using a separate sample. The inquiry is carried out among building owners. The inquiry is owner-specific and the sample consists of service building owners that are responsible for the renovation costs of all service buildings in their ownership. Thus, no breakdowns by region, building part or age group are available for service buildings.
4. Renovations of office and commercial buildings
The sample of office and commercial buildings has been drawn from the real estate data of the Finnish Tax Administration. The inquiry is owner-specific and the sample consists of owners of office and commercial buildings that are responsible for the renovation costs of all office and commercial buildings in their ownership. Thus, no breakdowns by region, building part or age group are available for office and commercial buildings.
5. Renovation of industrial buildings and warehouses
The sample has been drawn from the real estate data of the Finnish Tax Administration. The inquiry is owner-specific and the sample consists of owners of industrial buildings and/or warehouses that are responsible for the renovation costs of all industrial buildings and warehouses in their ownership. Thus, no breakdowns by region, building part or age group are available for industrial buildings and warehouses.
6. Collection of addition data on building permits
In the inquiry about renovation and expansion permits, respondents are asked to provide the value of the renovations carried out under the permit. The inquiry only concerns permits granted to service buildings, office and commercial buildings and industrial buildings and warehouses. The inquiry about each building type is carried out in the year immediately following the renovation building survey.
7. Renovation of building construction enterprises
From the statistical year 2012 onwards, the statistics are based on an inquiry sent on the basis of a sample to building construction enterprises of at least five employees. The sample comprises all enterprises with at least 60 employees (the minimum was raised from 50 to 60 in 2020) and enterprises with a turnover of more than EUR 40 million or a balance sheet of more than EUR 300 million. Enterprises under the threshold but employing more than five persons have been selected to the sample using random sampling.
The sampling frame of the statistics is based on Statistics Finland’s Register of Enterprises and Establishments. The inquiry is carried out together with the financial statements inquiry for enterprises and its financial statements database is used to analyse enterprises’ background data. The financial statements statistics also contain figures taken from the business tax data of the Finnish Tax Administration.
1. Renovation of dwellings and one-dwelling houses
The inquiry about renovation of owner-occupied dwellings is carried out among residents of one-dwelling and two-dwelling homes, terraced houses and blocks of flats. Buildings that are less than two years old are not included in the inquiry. No data are collected from tenants in the annual inquiries.
The dwelling renovation inquiry carried out among residents of owner-occupied homes is sent to 5,000 persons. The sample is drawn using systematic random sampling on the basis of the Population Information System building and dwelling data. The frame is stratified in accordance with the dwelling type into three strata: one-dwelling houses (incl. chain houses), terraced houses and blocks of flats. In all strata, the dwellings are arranged in accordance with the domicile code and a systematic random sample is drawn. This produces an implicit regional stratification. The data are collected on response forms by post and online.
2. Renovation building in housing companies
In the collection of data on renovations in housing companies, questions are asked about renovation building in housing companies. The data are collected from the managers of the housing companies included in the sample.
The sample is drawn from the real estate register of the Finnish Tax Administration. The size of the annual sample is approximately 4,000 housing companies of which 3,200 housing companies also take part in the financial survey of housing companies.
3. Renovations of public service buildings
The statistics on service buildings not owned by municipalities are based on a sample drawn from real estate data of the Finnish Tax Administration. The data on buildings owned by municipalities have been drawn using a separate sample. The inquiry is carried out among building owners. The inquiry is owner-specific and the sample consists of service building owners that are responsible for the renovation costs of all service buildings in their ownership. Thus, no breakdowns by region, building part or age group are available for service buildings.
4. Renovations of office and commercial buildings
The sample of office and commercial buildings has been drawn from the real estate data of the Finnish Tax Administration. The inquiry is owner-specific and the sample consists of owners of office and commercial buildings that are responsible for the renovation costs of all office and commercial buildings in their ownership. Thus, no breakdowns by region, building part or age group are available for office and commercial buildings.
5. Renovation of industrial buildings and warehouses
The sample has been drawn from the real estate data of the Finnish Tax Administration. The inquiry is owner-specific and the sample consists of owners of industrial buildings and/or warehouses that are responsible for the renovation costs of all industrial buildings and warehouses in their ownership. Thus, no breakdowns by region, building part or age group are available for industrial buildings and warehouses.
6. Collection of addition data on building permits
In the inquiry about renovation and expansion permits, respondents are asked to provide the value of the renovations carried out under the permit. The inquiry only concerns permits granted to service buildings, office and commercial buildings and industrial buildings and warehouses. The inquiry about each building type is carried out in the year immediately following the renovation building survey.
7. Renovation of building construction enterprises
From the statistical year 2012 onwards, the statistics are based on an inquiry sent on the basis of a sample to building construction enterprises of at least five employees. The sample comprises all enterprises with at least 60 employees (the minimum was raised from 50 to 60 in 2020) and enterprises with a turnover of more than EUR 40 million or a balance sheet of more than EUR 300 million. Enterprises under the threshold but employing more than five persons have been selected to the sample using random sampling.
The sampling frame of the statistics is based on Statistics Finland’s Register of Enterprises and Establishments. The inquiry is carried out together with the financial statements inquiry for enterprises and its financial statements database is used to analyse enterprises’ background data. The financial statements statistics also contain figures taken from the business tax data of the Finnish Tax Administration.
Data collection
Data collections 1 and 2 are collected online and on paper form. For data collection 1, non-response interviews are carried out by telephone.
Data for collections 3, 4, 5 and 6 are collected by telephone but after having been contacted, the respondent can also provide the data electronically.
Data collection 7 is only carried out online.
Data for collections 3, 4, 5 and 6 are collected by telephone but after having been contacted, the respondent can also provide the data electronically.
Data collection 7 is only carried out online.
Frequency of data collection
Data collections 1, 2 and 7 are carried out each year.
Data collections 3, 4 and 5 are carried out in alternating years so that each of them is carried out every three years.
Data collection 6 is carried out each year but the target population changes annually in accordance with the purpose of the building so that data on each category of purpose are collected every three years.
Data collections 3, 4 and 5 are carried out in alternating years so that each of them is carried out every three years.
Data collection 6 is carried out each year but the target population changes annually in accordance with the purpose of the building so that data on each category of purpose are collected every three years.
Methods
Data compilation
The data collected on dwellings and residential buildings are checked using rules of logic and erroneous data are corrected or rejected. An outlier review on the data is also carried out and outliers are taken into account when the calculations are made. Sum data for different classifications are calculated from checked and corrected data. The data are inflated to the level of population and in the estimation of the sum data, variable values are weighted by multiplying the value of the variable by its weighting coefficient and by adding up the resulting figures. Non-response and over-coverage are taken into account in the calculation of the weighting coefficients.
In data collections 3, 4 and 5, non-response contains the reasons why no response has been received. This data are used in the calculation of weighting coefficients.
Enterprises meeting the requirements are included in the calculation data on construction enterprises and the remaining are transferred to over-coverage. Inadequate responses included in the approved data are corrected using logical processing rules. Sum data with different classifications are calculated from the checked data. The data are inflated to population level and the impact of non-response is corrected. The estimation is carried out by weighing the responses using calibrated weighting coefficients. The calibrated weighting coefficients are created by calibrating the basic weight (reciprocal of inclusion probability) by using the turnover data. The calibration is carried out so that the bias arising from non-response can be minimised. The bias arises because large companies are more likely to submit responses than small enterprises.
In data collections 3, 4 and 5, non-response contains the reasons why no response has been received. This data are used in the calculation of weighting coefficients.
Enterprises meeting the requirements are included in the calculation data on construction enterprises and the remaining are transferred to over-coverage. Inadequate responses included in the approved data are corrected using logical processing rules. Sum data with different classifications are calculated from the checked data. The data are inflated to population level and the impact of non-response is corrected. The estimation is carried out by weighing the responses using calibrated weighting coefficients. The calibrated weighting coefficients are created by calibrating the basic weight (reciprocal of inclusion probability) by using the turnover data. The calibration is carried out so that the bias arising from non-response can be minimised. The bias arises because large companies are more likely to submit responses than small enterprises.
Data validation
Data obtained in each data collection are checked and erroneous data are corrected or removed after the end of the data collection.
Principles and outlines
Contact organisation
Statistics Finland
Contact organisation unit
Social statistics
Legal acts and other agreements
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Confidentiality - policy
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed in accordance with the requirements of the Statistics Act (280/2004), the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act (1050/2018). The data materials are protected at all stages of processing with the necessary physical and technical solutions. Statistics Finland has compiled detailed directions and instructions for confidential processing of the data. Employees have access only to the data essential for their duties. The premises where unit-level data are processed are not accessible to outsiders. Members of the personnel have signed a pledge of secrecy upon entering the service. Violation of data protection is punishable.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment
The data materials are protected at all stages of processing with the necessary physical and technical solutions. The unit-specific data of the calculation data must be kept confidential. Data are only handled by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. The phases of the statistical production process produce an end result that does not enable identification of individual data producers. All employees have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities. The data of the statistics are published on a less detailed level, so the data protection of individual respondents is not endangered.
Release policy
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data are public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
Data sharing
The statistical data are published on the website of the statistics.
Accessibility and clarity
Statistical data are published as database tables in the StatFin database. The database is the primary publishing site of data, and new data are updated first there. When releasing statistical data, existing database tables can be updated with new data or completely new database tables can be published.
In addition to statistical data published in the StatFin database, a release on the key data is usually published in the web service. If the release contains data concerning several reference periods (e.g. monthly and annual data), a review bringing together these data is published in the web service. Database tables updated at the time of publication are listed both in the release and in the review. In some cases, statistical data can also be published as mere database releases in the StatFin database. No release or review is published in connection with these database releases.
Releases and database tables are published in three languages, in Finnish, Swedish and English. The language versions of releases may have more limited content than in Finnish.
Information about changes in the publication schedules of releases and database tables and about corrections are given as change releases in the web service.
Data revision - policy
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
Quality assessment
Separate data contained in the statistics are published each year.
Quality assurance
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The quality management framework of the field of statistics is the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP). The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are also compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information: Quality management | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
User access
Data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may only be handled at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
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