The Commission presents its report on the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 on European demographic statistics.

The Regulation establishes a common legal framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics on population and vital events.

Under this Regulation, the Commission is required to submit a first report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Regulation by 31 December 2018 and a second report by 31 December 2023.

The present document is that first report.

Background

Member States had previously submitted such data voluntarily for a number of years but, as these were based on their varying demographic definitions, concepts and methods, there were risks of heterogeneity, incomparability, inconsistency and lack of timeliness. The common framework was intended to meet the need for the high-quality annual demographic statistics considered fundamental for formulating and evaluating a wide range of policies, with particular regard to social and economic issues, at national and regional level. This is particularly important as statistics on population and vital events are used as a denominator for a wide range of policy indicators.

Main findings

- Quality

The report noted that Member States have improved the underlying data sources and the methodologies and statistical tools used for data preparation, resulting in better coverage and more punctual data transmissions of statistics. This has allowed the Commission to shorten the time needed for data dissemination, facilitating timelier data releases and improving further the accessibility of data by the users, e.g. improved metadata and harmonised data.

In addition, the collection of the data has been merged with that of the data required under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection, in order to achieve consistency between the various population breakdowns and, to the extent possible, in the demographic balances between population, vital events and migration flows. Member States’ metadata submissions have also been merged.

- Relevance

Furthermore, the statistics are a key input in the EU decision-making process, as population determines Member States’ qualified majority voting (QMV) weightings in the Council. The statistics produced under the Regulation are regularly used by national administrations, international organisations, academic researchers and civil society groups working on a wide range of topics and for planning, monitoring, and evaluation programmes in a number of social and economic policy areas. Of all the statistics disseminated by Eurostat, those relating to population are among those consulted most. There is growing interest among users in data on population change. This confirms the relevance of the data for users and the public at large.

- Timeliness

The main deadline for supplying the bulk of the demographic data to Eurostat is 12 months after the end of the reference year; three small datasets are to be transmitted within 6, 8 and 11 months of the end of the reference year.

Considerable improvement has been observed in the punctuality of data provision under the Regulation, as compared with the previous, voluntary approach. This is due in particular to the introduction by Member States of automatic extractions from their statistical databases to comply with Eurostat’s data requests and Eurostat’s regular compliance monitoring. Less time is now needed between data being received and validated, and then being disseminated on the Eurostat website.

- Comparability and coherence

European demographic statistics draw on a high degree of harmonisation as regards concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies. However, for the detailed statistics on population, live births and deaths at national and regional level, the strict application of the population concept of ‘usual residence’ has proven the hardest problem to address. Efforts are ongoing and many Member States can now approximate ‘usual residence’ on the basis of their national data sources.

Overall, demographic statistics are comparable over time. However, discontinuities may arise where Member States improve or change their methodology, or adjust the territorial units used in statistics.

Eurostat continues to follow up sporadic cases of non-compliance with the Regulation, where data were incomplete, of low quality or not delivered in accordance with the legal deadlines. It monitors and assesses these aspects of data provision on an ongoing basis and contacts the Member States concerned at technical and administrative level to resolve the issues.

Improvements

The report has demonstrated that the Regulation has significantly improved European statistics on demography in terms of data availability, completeness, punctuality and timeliness. The data quality has benefited from the merging of the collection of the data with that of the data received under Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 and related implementing measures. Quality should continue to be improved in the future, in particular by tackling under- and over-coverage.

The production of European demographic statistics under the Regulation can be considered to be up and running, and providing various stakeholders and local, regional, national and international administrations with relevant data. However, demographic behaviour and the structure of the population are in constant flux and, as new data sources and methods become available, close monitoring of current data production and output under the Regulation and parallel developments as regards future needs will remain an important challenge in the coming years.

PURPOSE: to establish a common legal framework for the systematic development of European demographic statistics in the Member States.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 of the European Parliament and Council on European demographic statistics.

CONTENT: the Regulation establishes a common framework for the systematic development of European demographic statistics in the European Union , through the collection, development, processing and transmission, by the Member States, of European harmonised statistics on population and vital events.

The aim of the Regulation is to harmonise concepts, themes covered and the characteristics of the required information, coverage, quality criteria, reference periods and the results, so as to obtain relevant, current, comparable and coherent European statistics.

Breakdown by gender : as suggested by the European Parliament, the new Regulation introduces a reference citing the strategic objective of the Beijing Platform for Action (1995 ) which provides a reference framework for the generation and dissemination of gender-disaggregated data and information, for planning and policy evaluation reasons.

The Regulation also guarantees the right to respect for private and family life and the protection of personal data, as defined in articles 7 and 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Data on population and on vital events : under the terms of the Regulation, the Member States shall provide to the Commission (Eurostat):

a) data on their usually resident population covering the population by age, sex and region of residence ;

b) data on the vital events covering the following variables:

· live births by sex, month of occurrence, live birth-order, mother’s age, mother’s year of birth, mother’s country of birth, mother’s country of citizenship and mother’s region of residence;

· deaths by age, sex, year of birth, region of residence, country of birth, country of citizenship and month of occurrence.

Member States must use the same definition of population for all ‘national’ and ‘regional’ levels as defined by the Regulation.

The concept of ‘usual residence’ means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage. This concept can be interpreted in the sense of the official or legal place of residence.

Frequency of data: each year, Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data for the previous year on their population and on their vital events, as well as data on the total population at national level.

· The reference date for population data shall be the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December). The first reference date shall be in 2013 and the last reference date shall be in 2027 .

· The reference period for vital events data shall be the calendar year in which the events occurred. The first reference period shall be 2013 and the last reference period shall be 2027.

Review Clause : the Commission must present its first report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of this Regulation by 31 December 2018, and a second report by 31 December 2023. Those reports shall be accompanied, if appropriate, by proposals designed to further improve the operation of the Regulation.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 30/12/2013. The Regulation shall cease to apply on 31 August 2028.

The European Parliament adopted by 616 votes to 58, with 85 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics on demography.

The issue had been referred back to the committee responsible during the 18 April 2013 plenary session.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They amended the proposal as follows:

Gender-disaggregated data and information : as suggested by the European Parliament, the amended text introduced a recital citing the strategic objective of the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) which provides a reference framework for the generation and dissemination of gender-disaggregated data and information, for planning and policy evaluation reasons.

Definitions : the resolution clarified the following definitions:

'national' refers to the territory of a Member State within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003; 'regional' means NUTS level 1, NUTS level 2 or NUTS level 3 within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003.

The term 'usual residence' should be taken to mean the place of legal or registered residence.

Data on population and on vital events : The data provided shall cover population by age, sex and region of residence. The data provided shall cover the following variables:

live births by sex, month of occurrence, live birth-order, mother’s age, mother’s year of birth, mother’s country of birth, mother’s country of citizenship and mother’s region of residence;

deaths by age, sex, year of birth, region of residence, country of birth, country of citizenship and month of occurrence.

Total population for specific Union purposes : Member States should estimate the total population at national level from the legally resident or registered population using scientifically-based, well-documented, and publicly available statistical estimation methods.

Frequency and reference time : each year, Member States should provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data on their population and on their vital events for the previous year and as well as with data on the total population at national level.

The reference date for population data should be the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December). The first reference date should be in 2013 and the last reference date should be in 2027.

The reference period for vital events data shall be the calendar year in which the events occurred . The first reference period shall be 2013 and the last reference period shall be 2027.

Review Clause : the Commission should submit a first report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of this Regulation by 31 December 2018, and a second report by 31 December 2023. If appropriate, those reports should be accompanied by proposals designed to further improve the Regulation.

The European Parliament adopted amendments to the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics on demography. The matter was referred back to the committee responsible for reexamination. The vote on the legislative resolution is postponed until a later plenary session.

The main amendments adopted in plenary are as follows:

Parliament adds a recital citing the strategic objective of the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) which provides a reference framework for the generation and dissemination of gender-disaggregated data and information , for planning and policy evaluation reasons.

Definitions: Parliament clarifies the definitions in Article 2 of the proposal:

‘national’ refers to the territory of a Member State within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003; ‘regional’ means NUTS level 1, NUTS level 2 or NUTS level 3 within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 in the version applicable at the reference time; ‘usual residence’ means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences;

Parliament adds a new subparagraph stipulating that the " usually resident population " shall be estimated from the legal or registered population, using scientifically-based, well-documented, and publicly-available statistical estimation methods that are monitored by the Commission (Eurostat).

Scope: the statistical data to be provided by Member States shall cover the following variables: age, sex and region of residence . Parliament also introduces into the text a specific mention of the role of other relevant national and regional authorities in the development, production and dissemination of European statistics.

Data on population and vital events: Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data on vital events that occurred during the reference period. The data provided shall cover the following variables:

(a) live births by sex, by month of occurrence, by live birth-order, by mother’s age, by mother’s year of birth, by mother’s country of birth, by mother’s country of citizenship and by mother’s region of residence;

(b) deaths by age, by sex, by year of birth, by region of residence, by country of birth, by country of citizenship and by month of occurrence.

Because demographic change affects the regions in various, different way s, Parliament considers it would be helpful not only to compare developments at national level but also at regional level. Where regional authorities provide national authorities with statistical data, Member States shall forward such data to the Commission (Eurostat), in order to enable it to acquire a more detailed overview of the demographic situation in the Union.

As the regulation does not regulate the frequency of data , it needs to be ensured that the authorities are not forced to deliver data so frequently that is unrealistic or cannot reasonably be expected. The Commission shall therefore adopt implementing acts laying down uniform conditions for the breakdown of data, as well as to the frequency, deadlines and revisions of data. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure .

Reference time: Members clarify the reference time for population data . This shall be the end of the reference period (midnight on 31 December). The reference period for vital events data shall be the calendar year in which the events occurred. The first reference period to be taken into account for the purposes of this regulation shall be 2013. The last reference period shall be 2027.

Review clause: Parliament has inserted an amendment making provision for a review clause. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of the Regulation by 31 December 2018, and every five years thereafter. In that report, the Commission shall evaluate the quality of the data transmitted by Member States. The report shall, if appropriate, be accompanied by proposals designed to further improve the functioning of the Regulation.

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted the report by Csaba SOGOR (EPP, RO) on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics on demography.

The committee recommends that the position of the European Parliament adopted in first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows:

Members add a recital citing the strategic objective of the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) which provides a reference framework for the generation and dissemination of gender-disaggregated data and information , for planning and policy evaluation reasons.

Definitions: Members clarify the definitions in Article 2 of the proposal.

‘ national ’ refers to the territory of a Member State within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003; ‘ regional ’ means NUTS level 1, NUTS level 2 or NUTS level 3 within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 in the version applicable at the reference time; and ‘ usual residence’ means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences. Members add a new subparagraph stipulating that the " usual residence population " shall be estimated from the legal or registered population, using scientifically-based, well-documented, and publicly-available statistical estimation methods that are monitored by the Commission (Eurostat).

Scope: the statistical data to be provided by Member States shall cover the following variables: age, sex and residence . Members also introduce into the text a specific mention of the role of other relevant national and regional authorities in the development, production and dissemination of European statistics.

Data on population and vital events: Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data on vital events that occurred during the reference period. The data provided shall cover the following variables:

(a) live births by sex, by month of occurrence, by live birth-order, by mother’s age, by mother’s year of birth, by mother’s country of birth, by mother’s country of citizenship and by mother’s region of residence;

(b) deaths by age, by sex, by year of birth, by region of residence, by country of birth, by country of citizenship and by month of occurrence.

Because demographic change affects the regions in various, different ways, Members consider it would be helpful not only to compare developments at national level but also at regional level. Where regional authorities provide national authorities with statistical data, Member States shall forward such data to the Commission (Eurostat), in order to enable it to acquire a more detailed overview of the demographic situation in the Union.

As the regulation does not regulate the frequency of data , it needs to be ensured that the authorities are not forced to deliver data so frequently that is unrealistic or cannot reasonably be expected. The Commission shall therefore adopt implementing acts laying down uniform conditions for the breakdown of data, as well as to the frequency, deadlines and revisions of data . Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure .

Reference time: Members clarify the reference time for population data. This shall be the end of the reference period (midnight on 31 December). The reference period for vital events data shall be the calendar year in which the events occurred. The first reference period to be taken into account for the purposes of this regulation shall be 2013. The last reference period shall be 2027.

Review clause: Members have inserted an amendment making provision for a review clause. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of the Regulation by 31 December 2018, and every five years thereafter. In that report, the Commission shall evaluate the quality of the data transmitted by Member States. The report shall, if appropriate, be accompanied by proposals designed to further improve the functioning of the Regulation.

PURPOSE: to establish a common framework for the systematic production of European Union statistics on demography.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

BACKGROUND: due to increasing and complex demographic challenges, a clear need for common legislation at European level on the subject of demographic statistics has emerged. The European Commission needs high quality information on the population and vital events linked to the population in the Union .

Annual statistical data on demography are fundamental for the study and definition of a wide range of policies, with particular regard to social and economic issues, at national and regional level. Statistics on population are an important denominator for a wide range of policy indicators. Demographic statistics on population constitute an essential component for the estimation of total population in the framework of the European System of Accounts (ESA).

The democratic process within the Union demands annual population estimates of the highest possible quality. Every year, total population data concerning the Member States, which are collected and published by Eurostat, are used during the decision-making process of the Union (qualified majority voting in the Council). The long-term assessment of the sustainability of the public finance of the Member States is conducted, among others, on the basis of Eurostat population projections; these, in turn, require timely, accurate, reliable and consistent time series on population, births and deaths, together with sound assumptions concerning the future development of fertility, life expectancy and migration flows. The monitoring of the EU sustainable development strategy , launched by the European Council in Gothenburg in 2001 and renewed in 2006, is assessed via the Eurostat monitoring report which uses time series on old-age dependency ratios, fertility rates and life expectancy in the EU. The monitoring of the progress made in the EU towards achieving economic, social and territorial cohesion is assessed by means of a report based, among others, on Eurostat regional demographic data.

In order to ensure the quality, and in particular the comparability, of the data provided by the Member States, and in order for reliable overviews to be drawn up at European Union level, the data used should be based on the same concepts and refer to the same reference date or period. Moreover, the information on demography should be consistent with the relevant information collected pursuant Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection and Regulation (EC) No 763/2008 on population and housing censuses.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: t he proposed framework for European Union statistics on demography ensures that the data are timely, more coherent, comparable, consistent and thus more relevant for users at both European and national levels, in particular with the aim of counting each resident/birth/death only once in the statistics.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 338(1) of the TFEU.

CONTENT: the objective of this Regulation is to establish a common framework for the systematic production of European Union statistics on demography , through the collection, compilation, processing and transmission by the Member States of harmonised European statistics on population and vital events.

The aim of the proposal is to harmonise concepts, subjects covered and characteristics of the required information, coverage, quality criteria and reporting deadlines and results, to achieve relevant, timely, comparable and coherent European statistics.

The Member States will compile the data using their own national sources and practices, but are obliged to ensure the quality of the data and metadata transmitted, and to ensure that the chosen data sources and methodology meet common definitions. The Member States have to report on the data sources, definitions and estimation methods used to fulfil the obligations and must provide information on any changes thereto. They shall provide Eurostat with all the information necessary to evaluate the quality of the statistical information.

This Regulation ensures the right to respect for private and family life and to the protection of personal data, as set out in Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: The proposal has no implication for the Union budget.