To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the European Statistics Code of Practice, Eurostat is publishing a series of articles highlighting the 16 principles of the Code, their importance and role. Today, we focus on the final set of principles, 11 to 15, which emphasize the quality and usability of statistical outputs. These principles are crucial for ensuring that statistics not only meet high technical standards but are also accessible, timely, and relevant to users’ needs. Together, they help official statistics fulfil their ultimate purpose: informing society, policymaking, and the economy.
Principle 11: relevance
Statistics must meet the needs of users to be truly valuable. Principle 11 stresses the importance of engaging with users to understand their evolving data and information needs and continuously adapt statistical products to address them. A focus on relevance ensures that official statistics remain a vital tool for decision-makers, researchers, businesses, and citizens alike.
Principle 12: accuracy and reliability
Accuracy and reliability are fundamental to the credibility of statistics. Principle 12 demands that statistics accurately and consistently reflect the real-world phenomena they are intended to measure. Users must be confident that the figures are correct and that any errors are minimised and transparently reported. High accuracy and reliability are critical to maintaining public trust and ensuring sound, evidence-based decisions.
Principle 13: timeliness and punctuality
Statistics must be produced and released in a timely and punctual manner to retain their relevance. Principle 13 highlights that data should be made available as quickly as possible after the reference period, without compromising on quality. Timeliness ensures that statistics remain useful for immediate decision-making, while punctuality fosters users’ confidence in the statistical system’s professionalism and reliability.
Principle 14: coherence and comparability
Coherence and comparability guarantee that statistics can be reliably combined and compared across regions, time periods, and sectors. Principle 14 requires the use of standardised definitions, classifications, and methodologies. Coherent and comparable statistics are essential for drawing meaningful insights, making cross-country or historical comparisons possible, and supporting European integration and policy coordination.
Principle 15: accessibility and clarity
Even the highest-quality statistics have limited value if they are not easily accessible and understandable. Principle 15 emphasises the need for user-friendly presentation, clear explanations, and easy access to data. By promoting transparency and clarity, statistical authorities help ensure that all users can find, understand, and use official statistics effectively.
These 5 principles of the Code not only safeguard the technical excellence of official statistics but also maximise their impact and relevance in society.