statistics lithuania annual report 2013 · accepted for traineeship future specialists in...

ISSN 2029-2724

STATISTICS LITHUANIA ANNUAL REPORT

2013

Vilnius 2014

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© Statistics Lithuania, 2014

Statistics Lithuania Annual Report 2013

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The year 2013 was a year of big challenges. For half a year, Statistics Lithuania was presiding over the EU Council Working Party on Statistics (CWPS). It was one of the priorities for 2013. During the Presidency, five CWPS meetings took place, 11 draft legal acts were dealt with, three legal acts were adopted and published in the Official Journal. The Presidency was successful. We became more visible at the international level, our opinion – weightier, our staff gained valuable experience in the field of European legislation.

Apart from this exceptionally important work, Statistics Lithuania was pro-ducing and publishing official statistics, developing and improving public elec-tronic statistical data collection and statistical information dissemination services.

In 2013, 255 pieces of statistical work (statistical surveys) were carried out; 315 press releases were published; 65.8 million values of statistical indicators were accessible for users in the Database of Indicators. National economic competitiveness, sustainable development, quality of life and other statistical

indicators, reflecting the most significant socioeconomic phenomena occurring in the country’s life, were published on the Official Statistics Portal.

At the beginning of 2013, the Official Statistics Portal (OSP) – a multifunctional State statistics information system enabling an essential improvement in the accessibility of official statistics, broadening opportunities for statistical analysis and presentation – was put into operation. The website of Statistics Lithuania also changed its appearance. Moreover, the year 2013 was the first year of the functioning of the electronic statistical business data preparation and transfer system e-Statistics, which expanded the possibilities for submitting statistical data, improved the safety of this process.

In 2013, in order to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice in the Lithuanian statistical system and aiming to strengthen its coordinating role in the area of official statistics, Statistics Lithuania initiated and signed 10 agreements on the organisation, quality assurance and dissemination of official statistics, established by the EU legislation, with institutions producing official statistics.

A significant role in the formation of the official statistics policy is played by the Statistical Council, comprised of the representatives of public authorities and agencies, scientific and business communities, the media, other user groups. Last year, Statistical Council members discussed and put forward proposals concerning the organisation and development of official statistics, enhancement of the accessibility of services to users.

In 2013, the conformity of the quality management system of Statistics Lithuania to the requirements of the quality management system standard ISO 9001:2008 was confirmed for the third time. It is the input of our entire staff, their responsible and competent work that result in the improvement in the quality of services provided for users. Vilija Lapėnienė

Director General of Statistics Lithuania


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Mission. Objective. Main strategic directions for 2013–2017 ......................................................... 5

Organisational structure ........................................................................................................................ 6

2013 at Statistics Lithuania .................................................................................................................... 7

Our Staff .................................................................................................................................................. 8

Presidency of the EU Council Working Party on Statistics ........................................................... 10

International cooperation .................................................................................................................... 12

Quality – one of the priorities ............................................................................................................ 14

Statistical work and dissemination of results .................................................................................... 16

Official Statistics Portal ....................................................................................................................... 18

Smaller burden for respondents. E-Statistics system ....................................................................... 20

Statistics for the society ....................................................................................................................... 22

Finance and expenditure ..................................................................................................................... 25

Priorities for 2014 ................................................................................................................................. 26

Contents


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Mission To prepare and disseminate official statistics necessary for decision-making and stimulating public discussions on issues relevant to the country, to actively participate in the development of international statistics.

Objective To improve the quality and accessibility of statistical services and products by rationally using resources and without increasing the statistical response burden for respondents.

Main strategic directions for 2013–2017 In 2013, the implementation of the Strategy of Statistics Lithuania for 2013–2017 was started, which is oriented to the development of reliable, relevant and comparable statistics, increase in their accessibility, creation of a harmo-nious institutional environment. More efficient production of statistical information

• To enhance the efficiency of statistical survey processes

• To develop and improve statistical areas

• To strengthen relationship with respondents

• To strengthen the coordination of institutions managing official statistics Higher quality services to users

• To enhance the accessibility of statistical information

• To develop relationship with users Enhancement of the institutional environment

• To improve the institutional environment

• To take over and spread best practice

• To improve the institution’s image


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Organisational structure of Statistics Lithuania

General activity divisions

Construction and Investment Statistics Division

Economic Entities Register Division

Domestic Trade Statistics Division

Agricultural and Environmental Statistics Division

Enterprise Statistics Division

Industry Statistics Division

Transport and Service Statistics Division

Klaipėda Data Preparation Division

Panevėžys Data Preparation Division

Kaunas Data Preparation Division

Šiauliai Data Preparation Division

Vilnius Data Preparation

Division

Demographic and Migration Statistics Division

Education and Culture Statistics Division

Living Standard and Employment Statistics Division

Social Protection and Health Statistics Division

Population Census and Survey Organisation Division

Labour Statistics Division

Document Management Division

Information Systems Maintenance Division

Maintenance Service Division

Statistical Information Dissemination Division

IT Development Division

Price Statistics Division

Knowledge Economy and Special Surveys Statistics Division

Methodology and Quality Division

Government Finance Statistics Division

National Accounts Division

Foreign Trade Statistics Division

FIRST DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

Energy Statistics Division

DIRECTOR GENERAL Statistical Council Advisory Commission

Human Resource Management Division

European Affairs and International Cooperation Division

Internal Audit Division

Legal Division

Strategic Planning and Official Statistics Programmes Division

Public Relations Division

Economy and Finance Division

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL



Statistics divisions


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Year 2013 at Statistics Lithuania

JULY

Statistics Lithuania took over the presidency of the EU Council Wor-king Party on Statistics (CWPS). The first CWPS meeting under the Lithuanian Presi-dency took place.

AUGUST Director General V. Lapėnienė participa-ted in an ISI World Statistics Congress.

Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Mittag (the Hague Uni-versity) delivered a lecture on the employ-ment of new methods for teaching statistics at Statistics Lithuania. In cooperation with the Department of Youth Affairs, Statistics Lithuania prepared a publication Statistical Portrait of the Youth to commemorate the International Youth Day.

OCTOBER The draft Official Sta-tistics Work Program-me for 2014 was dis-cussed by the Statistical Council. The third CWPS meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency took place. The conformity of the quality management system of Statistics Lithuania to the require-ments of the quality management system standard ISO 9001:2008 was confirmed for the third time.

Statistics Lithuania re-ceived an award for achievements in the application of geograp-hic information systems (GIS) to the dissemina-tion of statistics. A statistical publication Results of the 2011 Population and Housing Census of the Republic of Lithuania was released.

SEPTEMBER

A Eurostat’s high-level seminar for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia countries’ statistical offices entitled “Quality in statistics: administrative data and official statistics” took place in Vilnius. The second CWPS meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency took place. September 6 – the Lit-huanian Statistics Day – was commemorated.

JANUARY A traditional annual press conference took place. The main econo-mic and social indica-tors for the previous year were presented.

Year 2013 – the Inter-national Year of Statis-tics. On that occasion, Statistics Lithuania organised a photo contest “Statistics in pictures”.

The employees of Sta-tistics Lithuania partici-pated in a charity event – collected pre-sents for and visited a children’s home in Beižionys Village, Elektrėnai Municipality. The National Audit Office of Lithuania launched audit for the purpose of assessing the implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice in the Lithuanian statistical system

FEBRUARY

Statistics Lithuania pre-sented to the society the Official Statistics Portal and a new website of Statistics Lithuania.

NOVEMBER The fourth CWPS meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency took place. Population figures for 2001–2012 were recal-culated based on the final 2011 Population and Housing Census

data.

Statistical Yearbook of Lithuania 2013 was released.

DECEMBER The fifth CWPS meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency took place.

A meeting of the EU Council Working Party on Statistics over the handover of the Presi-dency to Greece took place at Statistics Lithuania.

A statistical publication Counties of Lithuania 2013 was released. A meeting of the spe-cialists of the Baltic States over the moder-nisation of social statis-tics took place. Statistics Lithuania was visited by a representa-tive of the Austrian Institute for Sports Economics Mr Günter Grohald, who advised the specialists of Statis-tics Lithuania on the compilation of econo-mic accounts for sports.

APRIL

The Director General of Eurostat and the Chief Statistician of the EU Mr Walter Radermacher visited Statistics Lithuania. A meeting of the specia-lists from the Baltic States over agricultural statistics took place at Statistics Lithuania.

MARCH

Director General Vilija Lapėnienė was elected a member of the Inter-national Statistical Institute (ISI). A visit of the represen-tatives of EU institu-tions took place – to assess whether the har-monised index of con-sumer prices (HICP) produced by Statistics Lithuania meets the EU requirements.

MAY A blog of Statistics Lithuania Statistician’s sketches was presented. A project “Transfer of the receipt and manage-ment of statistical popu-lation survey data servi-ce to the electronic en-vironment” was laun-ched. The new public electronic service will open up an opportuni-ty for the residents of Lithuania to submit statistical data electro-nically.

JUNE

Presidency of the EU Council was taken over from Ireland. The Lithuanian Presidency Team introduced themselves in Eurostat. Director General V. Lapėnienė participa-ted in the 61st session of the Conference of Euro-pean Statisticians in Geneva.


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Our strength – professional, well-educated and experien-ced staff. The institution is comprised of 37 divisions. In 2013, the staff of totalled 581.

The majority (78 per cent) of the staff had higher edu-cation, seven employees – a PhD degree. Most of the employees (60 per cent) had economic, statistical, mathematical or information science education.

The average age of staff members – 47 years. The average age of employees recruited in 2013 – 30 years. The “youngest” divisions – IT Development, Government Finance Statistics, and Human Resource Management.

The staff turnover coefficient is not high: slightly less than one-tenth of employees change during the year. It is mainly young specialists who leave the institution. According to the data of the poll of employees leaving Statistics Lithuania, the main reason for leaving – a job offer from another employer. However, almost all leavers are of a good opinion about Statistics Lithuania, consider it to be a good workplace, where it is good to work, gain experience, pursue career, where work is responsible, appreciated and creative, encouraging professional growth.

Statistics Lithuania is always open for those wishing to acquire knowledge and practical skills and undergo a traineeship. In 2013, the institution had about 20 trainees from various study programmes. We cooperated with Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology – accepted for traineeship future specialists in statistics, economics, econometrics, finance and insurance, mathe-matics and informatics. Useful professional experience was gained at Statistics Lithuania also by those enrolled in administration, communication and public relations, archival science, geography study programmes.

15%

15%

20%

41%

9%

20–30

31–40

41–50

51–60

61 and older

Staff by age, per cent

Our staff


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Growth possibilities Statistics Lithuania offers its staff a possibility to study and grow. In 2013, the institution’s staff participated in 113 different training programmes. The largest number – 155 – participated in the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council-related training. A large number of emplo-yees improved their management, planning and admi-nistrative skills – 154, studied English and French – 85. 88 statisticians had a possibility to improve their know-ledge of statistical data management and analysis meth-ods. Moreover, very important special training for programmers, database, computer network and website administrators was organised, which was attended by 15 specialists.

In 2013, a project “Development of the qualification and professional skills of the civil servants and employ-ees working under an employment contract of Statistics Lithuania”, financed from the European Social Fund, which lasted nearly three years, was finalised. In the course of the project, the staff of Statistics Lithuania acquired or improved administrative, management, IT, special and other skills necessary for implementing the institution’s strategic objectives.

The monitoring of the assessment of the efficiency of training showed that all the training events met the ex-pectations of their participants, who acquired or impro-ved their knowledge in respective areas. Almost all parti-cipants used the knowledge acquired during training in everyday work activities.


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In the second half of 2013, Statistics Lithuania chaired the EU Council Working Party on Statistics (CWPS). It was one of the priority works for 2013. The greatest responsibility was borne by the Presidency Team, assisted by experts in various fields of statistics.

We are talking about the Presidency with First Deputy Director General and Chair of the Presidency Team Jonas Markelevičius.

What was the significance and benefits of the Presi-dency of the EU Council Working Party on Statistics for Lithuanian statistics and for Statistics Lithuania?

It was a great challenge for me personally, our team and the institution. We haven’t had such experience; it was hard to imagine the scale and complexity of such work. On the other hand, it was a great opportunity to test our expertise and organisational skills. We gained valuable experience of organising the legislative process at the international level. Another important aspect – closer or new contacts made with the EU Council and Council Secretariat, European Commission, European Parliament committees.

What would be your personal assessment of the Presidency of Statistics Lithuania over the CWPS? Have we achieved the objectives set? Or maybe we managed to do more than we had been aiming for?

I would say that our Presidency of the CWPS was suc-cessful. In my – subjective – opinion, we succeeded

better than we had expected. We dealt with eleven EU statistical legal acts: five were taken over from the pre-vious presidencies – Ireland, Denmark, Cyprus, six – were initiated by us or we started their deliberation during the Lithuanian Presidency. Out of the latter, we have finalised three: they were adopted and published in the Official Journal. A compromise between the Member States was found on four legal acts; they were approved by the Coreper – which is a significant result in itself. I must confess that we have not succeeded with the com-pletion of all the legal acts the way we had planned. One of the main legal acts dealt with during the Lithuanian Presidency was daft amendment of Regulation (EC) No 223 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics. It took most of the time and effort. The deliberation of this regulation was started by Den-mark, which handed it over to Cyprus, which, in turn, handed it over to Ireland, and the latter – to Lithuania. After the Presidency, have the representatives of Lithuanian statistics become more visible? Has it added more weight to their opinion in the joint meetings of the representatives of the national sta-tistical offices of EU countries? Yes, we have definitely become more visible. It is obvious from the attitude in Eurostat’s working groups and committees. Our opinion is better heard and considered more seriously. We succeed better in communicating with the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the Euro-

Presidency of the EU Council Working Party on Statistics


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pean Union in Brussels – we are consulted on various issues more often, our opinion is heard and taken into consideration, the relations became less strictly formal. What would you consider to be the most ambitious task of the Presidency over the CWPS? As I have already mentioned, the most ambitious was the daft amendment of Regulation (EC) No 223 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics, related to the expansion in the coordinating role of national statistical institutes (NSIs). Member States agreed with the novelties proposed. Moreover, it was proposed to strengthen the implementation of the prin-ciples of the European Statistics Code of Practice. The Commission’s proposal for the countries’ governments to sign the Commitment on Confidence in Statistics was not very successful. Another important legal act, dealt with during the Lithuanian Presidency, was the Regulation on demo-graphic statistics. Now we have an adopted legal act es-tablishing the main provisions for demographic statistics. We also dealt with other important regulations, for ex-ample, Regulation on European environmental economic accounts. It was proposed to include three new modules in the said regulation. This legal act broadens the cove-rage of environmental statistics and is therefore highly relevant to environmental protection. How much time did it take to prepare for the Presidency? Preparation started virtually two years before the begin-ning of the Lithuanian Presidency. It took different forms: training courses were organised by the Lithuanian Institute of Public Administration; Danish experts gave three-day training, which was attended by all Trio part-ners – Ireland, Greece, and Lithuania; traineeship in EU institutions. However, the actual experience, the full awareness of processes and their complexity developed in the course of the Presidency. Is Presidency only about drafting and discussing legal acts, chairing joints events and discussions? What did the Presidency routine look like? What took most of the time and effort?

Presidency of the CWPS – organisation and chairing of meetings – is only the tip of the iceberg. The main work took place in Vilnius and in Brussels before and after CWPS meetings. We had to prepare documents, organise consultations with Member States, summarise opinions, formulate alternatives and, subsequently, pro-posals. This work was very time-consuming. During the Presidency period, 19 official and about 40 preparatory and supporting documents were produced, four informal trialogues with the European Parliament on behalf of the Council, 13 written consultations with the Member States took place. Constant discussions, intensive corre-spondence, phone consultations with the Member States, Commission, Council Secretariat took place. Apart from consultations and preparation of documents, our daily routine involved the organisation of informal meetings with the Council Secretariat and Legal Service.

Although Presidency was handed over to Greece, Presidency-related work does not end in 2014. What joint events, meetings have been planned?

Formally, our Presidency events came to an end. How-ever, there is still a Presidency takeover meeting with the other Presidency Trio – Italy, Latvia, and Luxembourg, which should be organised by Greece at the end of June.

How would you assess the work of the Presidency Team?

A chair cannot do much without a team. The team did a very good job, and I would like to thank them for that. I would also like to thank all other employees who depu-tised, took over the workload from their colleagues and let them devote themselves to Presidency-related work.

The members of the Presidency Team from Statistics Lithuania were awarded commemorative tokens for per-sonal contribution to the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council in 2013 by decree of the President of the Republic of Lithuania.

For more information on the Presidency of Statistics Lithuania over the EU Council Working Party on Statis-tics, see http://eu2013.stat.gov.lt/.


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In the first half of 2013, apart from intensive preparation for the Presidency of the EU Council Working Party on Statistics, work was carried out in many other directions. In March, Statistics Lithuania hosted a visit of the rep-resentatives of EU institutions – to assess whether the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) produced by Statistics Lithuania meets the EU requirements, in April – a meeting of the specialists from the Baltic States over agricultural statistics and a seminar on social statistics of the Baltic States. In April, Lithuania was visited by the Director General of Eurostat and the Chief Statistician of the EU Mr Walter Radermacher.

In 2013, 70 specialists of Statistics Lithuania participated in 153 international events – three Baltic States’ meetings over demographic and foreign trade statistics, Baltic Steering Committee meeting, 18 ESSnet meetings and seminars, 48 Eurostat’s working group meetings, 13 committees, nine working groups, nine conferences, five expert consultations, 15 various seminars, five training courses, etc.

Statistics Lithuania organised 18 international events – two high-level visits, two Baltic States’ meetings, four expert consultations, three ESSnet events.

Visit of the Director General of Eurostat in Lithuania On 2–3 April 2013, Statistics Lithuania was visited by the Director General of the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) and the Chief Statistician of the European Union Mr Walter Radermacher.

Mr Radermacher emphasised the novelties and challenges of the European Statistical System (ESS), discussed draft statistical legislation that could be dealt with during the Lithuanian Presidency (some of which was inherited from the Irish Presidency, some – launched during the Lithuanian Presidency).

During the visit, Mr Radermacher met Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Government, Minister of Finance. The main subjects discussed were as follows: position of Statistics Lithuania as of a government institution in the general government system; ensuring the professional independence of Statistics Lithuania; importance of official statistics for decision-making and monitoring of the implementation of those decisions; position of the Government on the possibility of signing the Commit-ment on Confidence in Statistics, the purpose of which is the implementation of the principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice in all national institutions producing European statistics; possibility of signing an

International cooperation


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agreement on working relations and procedures between Statistics Lithuania and the Ministry of Finance; EU Council Presidency issues.

Mr Radermacher also met the representatives of the Bank of Lithuania. The meeting was also attended by the rep-resentatives of Statistics Lithuania. During the meeting, such issues as the cooperation of the two systems (the European Statistical System and the European System of Central Banks) in the production of European statis-tics and the strengthening thereof, draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on macro-economic imbalance procedure, the deliberation whereof would be launched during the Lithuanian Presidency, were discussed.

Expert assistance In 2013, further expert assistance was provided within the framework of twinning projects of Statistics Den-mark in the statistical offices of Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Assistance was provided in business and social statistics; advice was given on the reduction in the administrative burden for respondents. The spe-cialists of Statistics Lithuania participated in the imple-mentation of the IPA 2011 multilateral programme for candidate and potential candidate countries (a seminar on harmonised indices of consumer prices (HICPs) in Montenegro).

The specialists of Statistics Lithuania also participated in a training programme for the Eastern European Neighbourhood countries – delivered lectures on statis-tical metadata.

Seminar for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia countries on quality in statistics On 2013 September 4–6, a high-level seminar for East-ern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia countries (EECCA) entitled “Quality in Statistics: Administrative Data and Official Statistics”, organised by Eurostat, took place in Vilnius. As the seminar was held during the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council, Statistics Lithuania assisted in organising the event. Moreover, experts from Statistics Lithuania prepared four presen-tations for the seminar.

The seminar was attended by 22 representatives of sta-

tistical offices of 11 countries, Eurostat, international organisations (UNECE, EFTA), invited speakers from the statistical offices of Estonia, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Turkey, and Lithuania. The seminar covered such topics as quality systems of the statistical offices of different Member States and the European Statistical System, quality issues in the statistical offices of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia countries, further cooperation strategy and plans.


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The quality management system of Statistics Lithuania allows focusing institution’s activity on ensuring the quality of statistical information and processes and en-hancing the efficiency of performance. In 2013, the con-formity of the management system of Statistics Lithuania to the requirements of the quality management system standard ISO 9001:2008 was confirmed for the third time, and a respective certificate was awarded. In the audit report, planning, staff competence, feedback with users and cooperation with other institutions were men-tioned as institution’s strengths. Independent auditors determined that the quality policy followed by Statistics Lithuania is in line with its strategy and oriented towards the needs and expectations of the parties concerned.

Recently, attention has been increasingly focused on ensuring the quality of European statistics, implementa-tion of the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice and strengthening of the coordinating role of national statistical institutes. The importance of the implementation of the provisions of the European Sta-tistics Code of Practice is demonstrated by a State audit organised by the National Audit Office of Lithuania in 2013 with the aim to assess the implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice in the Lithuanian statistical system. The State audit showed that Statistics Lithuania adheres to the 10 principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice which had been audited.

Strengthening the coordinating role in producing official statistics About 40 per cent of official statistics is produced by ministries, other public authorities and agencies, the Bank of Lithuania. Those institutions, upon agreement with Statistics Lithuania, approve statistical questionnaires, instructions on how to fill them in, establish data sub-mission procedures and deadlines, collect statistical data, prepare and publish statistical information.

One of the strategic objectives of Statistics Lithuania for 2013–2017 – strengthening the coordination of official statistics institutions. In 2013, Statistics Lithuania, aiming to strengthen its coordinating role in the area of official statistics, initiated and signed 10 agreements on the organisation, quality assurance and dissemination of official statistics, established by the EU legislation, with institutions producing official statistics. The agreements will contribute to the enhancement of the efficiency of the Lithuanian official statistics quality assurance system, a better organisation and coordination of the production of official statistics and their accessibility to users, help to implement the provisions established by Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics, binding to apply the principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice in the production of European statis-

Quality – one of the priorities


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tics. The signing of such agreements may be considered as an example of best practice in the field of the organi-sation of official statistics and their quality assurance.

Producers of official statistics Environmental Protection Agency Ministry of Finance Directorate General of State Forests Institute of Hygiene Information Society Development Committee Information Technology and Communications Department Department of Physical Education and Sports Bank of Lithuania Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics Statistics Lithuania Lithuanian Labour Exchange

Lithuanian Geological Service Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania Migration Department Customs Department National Courts Administration Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Department Ministry of Social Security and Labour Centre of Information Technologies in Education State Border Guard Service State Plant Service State Labour Inspectorate State Forest Survey Service State Patent Bureau Lithuanian State Department of Tourism State enterprise Agricultural Information and Rural Business Centre Fisheries Service


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In 2013, Statistics Lithuania conducted 255 pieces of statistical work (surveys), 76 per cent whereof are estab-lished by the EU legislation.

In 2013, apart from annual pieces of statistical work and statistical surveys, Statistics Lithuania conducted less frequent statistical surveys for the purpose of producing detailed statistics on a certain subject: retail trade turnover structure survey (conducted every 5 years), the results whereof are required for the analysis of goods turnover by commodity group; labour cost survey (conducted every 4 years), the results whereof will be used to prepare detailed statistics on labour cost structure and changes; farm structure survey (conducted every 3 years), the results whereof are required for the analysis of agricul-tural development in the country, farm structure and specialisation and changes therein; waste generation and management in agriculture, forestry and fishing survey (conducted every 2 years), the results whereof are used in the formation of environmental protection policies.

On 21 May 2013, Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union was approved, which sets new requirements for the system of national accounts. The implementation of those requirements in official statis-tics was started.

In 2013, a trilateral international agreement among the statistical offices of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia on foreign trade microdata exchange was signed. It enabled the comparison of their foreign trade data at the enter-prise level, reduction in asymmetries in foreign trade data flows and improvement in the quality of statistical information. The expansion of satellite accounts in different areas required considerable staff effort and competence. In 2013, apart from already compiled satellite accounts for agriculture, tourism and health, work was continued on environmental-economic accounts; the compilation of sport satellite accounts was launched; preparation for the compilation of energy flow, environmental goods and services satellite accounts was started.

Due to globalisation, economic activities of enterprises increasingly frequently go beyond the national bounda-ries. Therefore, in 2013, the Statistical Business Register was supplemented with enterprise group data reflecting their composition and performance indicators, which enabled the assessment of the degree of globalisation and economic concentration. Moreover, in 2013, enter-prise profiling and international business organisation projects, initiated by Eurostat, were finalised. In the framework of the said projects, enterprise group legal activity and accounting structure at the national and international levels was analysed, statistical units and

Statistical work and dissemination of results


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relations between them were identified in those groups. Data on enterprises which moved their activity abroad were linked to business and foreign trade statistics – in order to determine the impact of economic globalisation on the national economy and labour market.

In 2013, detailed 2011 Population and Housing Census results were published. Six press releases were prepared on that topic. Moreover, a publication was prepared, containing detailed statistical information on the popu-lation and its composition, demographic, ethnocultural and socioeconomic characteristics, households and families, dwellings.

Based on the 2011 Census data, undeclared international migration estimates and the number of live births for 2001–2011 recalculated according to a new methodology, population figures and other population-related statistical indicators for 2001–2012 were recalculated.

Social statistics were complemented by statistical indi-cators from a household budget survey, conducted after a three-year break, enabling the assessment and analysis of changes in the household expenditure level and struc-ture before and after the economic crisis. The results of

the adult education survey, conducted in 2012, were released.

In 2013, Statistics Lithuania contributed to the Alcohol and Tobacco Control Programme 2013–2015 Interinsti-tutional Action Plan and prepared statistical information on the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, imports, exports, sales, retail prices and their changes, consump-tion of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products and consequences thereof. In 2013, compared to 2012, the number of values of statistical indicators published in the Database of Indi-cators grew by 10.7 million.

Number of values of statistical indicators in the Database of Indicators, thousand

Social and demographic development 3940

Business 6435

Agriculture and environment 842

Macroeconomic development 54628


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At the beginning of 2013, Statistics Lithuania presented to the society the Official Statistics Portal (OSP) – a mul-tifunctional State statistics information system enabling an essential improvement in the accessibility of official statistics, broadening opportunities for statistical analysis and presentation. Together with the new Portal, the web-site of Statistics Lithuania www.stat.gov.lt was renewed.

The Portal offers users many opportunities: forming and saving one’s own data tables, forming one’s own infor-mation release calendar, subscribing to statistical news about a certain subject, etc. The analysis tool in the Data-base of Indicators enables the comparison of indicators from different domains, formation of charts and maps, calculation of totals, differences, averages, medians, mi-nimum and maximum values, exporting tables to other formats, saving them, subscribing to updates. It is espe-cially convenient for those users who constantly need detailed monitoring of social and economic phenomena in various breakdowns.

A great deal of attention was attracted by the geographic information system (GIS) applications: an interactive atlas – for spatial and temporal analysis of statistical indi-cators by administrative unit, and a detailed statistics application – for the analysis of statistical indicators at a more detailed territorial level: agricultural census data – by ward (seniūnija) and populated locality, population

and housing census data – at an even more detailed level, irrespective of the boundaries of administrative units. At an annual Lithuanian Esri – international supplier of GIS software – user conference, which took place in October 2013, Statistics Lithuania received an award for achievements in the application of GIS to the dissemi-nation of statistics.

It is planned that, in the future, all the statistical indica-tors produced according to the Official Statistics Work Programme will be integrated into the Portal, which would essentially improve their comparability and analysis possibilities while maintaining their quality and strength-ening the coordinating role of Statistics Lithuania in this area.

Expansion of the Official Statistics Portal In 2013, the expansion of the Official Statistics Portal was started: it is planned to supplement the Database of Indicators with historical statistics, to create an e-library, to modernise the confidential statistical data provision for scientific purposes service.

The idea of integrating historical indicators into the Database of Indicators is as follows: the statistical indi-cators which, at the moment, are available only in the old publications stored in our library, will be provided in a form customary for the electronic environment. It

Official Statistics Portal


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means that the Database of Indicators will have two new domains: interwar and Soviet Lithuania.

Users will be able to use those – historical – indicators in the same way as they now use contemporary statistics, i.e. view a more detailed information and metadata on the historical indicator of interest; compare different indicators from the same period; form and save tables and charts; carry out the main calculation operations; share information in social networks; view sources rela-ted to the historical indicator of interest.

The new e-library will contain full-text statistical publi-cations in a convenient format as well as descriptions of

publications prepared by international organisations, other countries’ statistical offices, other Lithuanian insti-tutions, publications on statistical theory and methodol-ogy, and other publications available in the library of Statistics Lithuania.

A modernised confidential statistical data provision for scientific purposes service will provide scientists with remote access to confidential statistical data while simul-taneously guaranteeing data security.

It is planned that the OSP expansion project will be fina-lised in October 2014.


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The reduction in the statistical response burden for res-pondents is a priority for Statistics Lithuania. In order to reduce this burden, the use of administrative data sources is constantly expanded, statistical forms are tested and simplified, mathematical methods are used in statis-tical surveys (e.g. by optimising samples), and the collec-tion of statistical data in electronic form is constantly improved. This is done to satisfy the growing demand for official statistics without increasing the statistical response burden. In the course of planning any new statistical survey, careful attention is devoted to the assessment and proper justification of the statistical response burden.

In 2013, statistical questionnaire reviewing and testing was continued. In total, 20 statistical questionnaires were tested (15 per cent of the total number of statistical questionnaires). During testing, possibilities for simplify-ing statistical questionnaires were analysed, and recom-mendations for improving their quality were put forward.

The main statistical data source is statistical surveys. However, we are constantly analysing possibilities for preparing a larger amount of statistical information based on administrative data sources. In 2013, 41 per cent of statistical indicators were produced based on administra-tive data sources. To enhance the efficiency of statistical population survey processes, a project “Transfer of the receipt and management of statistical population survey

data service to the electronic environment” was launched. The new public electronic service will allow the residents participating in statistical surveys to submit, Statistics Lithuania – to manage statistical data faster and more conveniently. The finalisation of the project is planned at the end of 2014.

In 2013, the statistical response burden was reduced for more than 20 thousand respondents. After the testing of statistical questionnaires, 465 statistical indicators were removed from them. The use of the State Social Insurance Fund Board (Sodra) data for the estimation of 32 statistical labour cost indicators relieved 9 thousand economic entities from the necessity to fill in the labour cost questionnaire.

Statistics Lithuania has been making efforts to achieve that one economic entity does not spend, on average, more than 10 hours per year on the preparation of statis-tical data and filling in of statistical questionnaires. Since 2006, all statistical questionnaires contain a question about time spent by a respondent on the preparation of statistical data and filling in of a statistical questionnaire. According to those data, in 2013, one economic entity spent on the filling in of statistical questionnaires, on average, 9.2 hours, which is by almost one-third (31 per cent) less than in 2006, when the monitoring and as-sessment of the statistical response burden had been started.

Smaller burden for respondents E-Statistics system


21

E-Statistics system The year 2013 was the first year of the functioning of the electronic statistical business data preparation and transfer system e-Statistics. The new system expanded the possibilities for submitting statistical data, improved the safety of this process. The specialists of Statistics Lithua-nia familiarised respondents with the opportunities opened up by the system. Business representatives were presented the data exchange standard used in the system, enabling the submission of data directly from a com-pany’s business management or accounting system. In 2013, the number of respondents (economic entities) submitting statistical questionnaires electronically in-creased to 82 per cent.

In 2013, Statistics Lithuania continued an initiative en-couraging respondents not only to submit statistical data but also to be active users of statistical informa-tion: the production of statistical information enabling the comparison of company’s indicators with respective indicators at the economic activity, municipal or national level in the e-Statistics system was launched.

A crucial role in reducing the statistical response burden was played by a possibility to fill in statistical question-naires directly on the Internet, without the need to download any additional software, introduced in the e-Statistics system. It is particularly convenient because respondents do not have to worry about the updates of specialised software; statistical questionnaires may be filled in on any computer having Internet access. A new statistical questionnaire may be filled in on the basis of the previously submitted one. Some statistical question-naires are prefilled with data provided by respondents for other public authorities. A rapidly growing number of registered system users testifies to the recognition of the e-Statistics system. At the end of 2013, the system had 18 697 registered users, of whom 2 060 – new.

In the European Sails awards, organised by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, the e-Statistics system was selected as one of the nominees in the nomi-nation “European sails for e-possibilities”.

13.3 12.9 12.2 11.2 10.8 9.9 9.6 9.2

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Average time spent by a respondent on the preparation of statistical data and filling in of

statistical questionnaires, hours


22

Statistics Lithuania aims that all official statistics are available and comprehensible to the society. All statistical information produced by Statistics Lithuania is dissemi-nated in a manner convenient for users. Press releases, publications and indicators in the database are published at one time – 11 a.m. – according to the Official Release Calendar.

Timeliness Taking into consideration user needs, Statistics Lithuania has been paying assiduous attention to the timeliness of statistical information. The processes of certain pieces of statistical work (surveys) were analysed and reviewed; actions enabling an earlier provision of statistical infor-mation for users were implemented. In 2013, annual statistical information was provided for users, on average, 2 days earlier than planned. The average duration of preparation and release of statistical information was 173 days. The average duration of preparation and re-lease of quarterly and monthly statistical information – 54 and 19 days respectively. In 2013, against 2012, the average duration of the prepa-ration and release of quarterly statistical information shortened by 1, of annual – by 12 days.

Press releases In 2013, 315 press releases on demographic and social development, economic trends, structural and short-term

business changes, relevant agricultural and environmental indicators of the country were published. Press releases on price changes, transport, retail trade and catering, foreign trade, consumer survey, business trends were published on a monthly basis. Press releases on GDP and its changes, average earnings, job vacancies, em-ployment and unemployment, financial indicators of enterprises, services, direct investment were published on a quarterly basis. Statistical information on enterprise bankruptcy, number of economic entities, government deficit and debt, productivity of the national economy was published on a biannual basis.

In 2013, press releases dedicated to special occasions – Europe Day, May Day, International Youth Day, Inter-national Day of Older Persons, Science and Knowledge Day, etc. – were prepared for the first time. Seven press releases on the major cities and towns of Lithuania were prepared.

285 293 310 289 315

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Press releases, 2009–2013

Statistics for the society


23

Publications In 2013, Statistics Lithuania released 39 statistical publi-cations. All publications may be downloaded, free of charge, from a catalogue of statistical publications on the Official Statistics Portal. The average number of downloads of publications per day – 772. The number of publications is annually decreasing because more and more indicators become available in the Database of Indicators.

In 2013, an exceptionally historically important publi-cation – 2011 Population and Housing Census of the Republic of Lithuania – was released. Based on the Census data, a publication Women and Men in Lithuania 2011 (Results of the 2011 Population and Housing Census of the Republic of Lithuania) was prepared.

A publication Major Cities of Lithuania in Figures was pre-pared and released for the first time. After a several year break, a statistical household budget survey had been conducted in 2012, and a publication Household Budgets 2012 was subsequently released. Moreover, in coopera-tion with the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, a new publica-tion Statistical Portrait of the Youth was prepared – to commemorate the International Youth Day.

Database of Indicators and predefined tables During 2013, the number of values of statistical indica-tors in the Database of Indicators grew by 20 per cent and totalled 65.8 million.

For users’ convenience, the Official Statistics Portal offers about 700 predefined tables. Moreover, statistical indicator sets dedicated to the economic development of Lithuania, population and social situation, business trends, monetary, economic and financial statistics, eco-nomic competitiveness, sustainable development, quality of life, etc. are produced.

Answers to your questions In 2013, Statistics Lithuania received 5725 individual enquiries from users. The largest number of enquiries was into consumer price changes, foreign and domestic trade, population figures.

Consumer opinion and demand surveys Statistics Lithuania pays assiduous attention to strength-ening relationships with users. Users can submit pro-posals and requests by email and via the Official Statis-tics Portal; meetings with and training for users are or-ganised. Since 2005, user opinion polls have been or-ganised on an annual basis. Information received as a result of those polls is analysed, and actions are planned to improve the quality of performance and results. In 2013, three polls of specific user groups (students, researchers, and businesspeople) and a general opinion poll were organised.

Based on consumer opinion surveys, the level of user satisfaction with the services provided by Statistics Lithuania is assessed on an annual basis. In 2013, it reached 65 per cent, which is by 2 percentage points more than in 2012. The increase in the said level was conditioned by the consistent efforts of Statistics Lithua-nia to improve the accessibility of statistical information, disseminate information on official statistics production methods, conform to quality requirements. The purpose of those measures is not only to provide for users im-portant information but also to boost confidence in and encourage the use of official statistics.

58 54 45

36 39

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Statistical publications, 2009–2013


24

Events In 2013, just like every year, Statistics Lithuania organised official statistics popularisation and statistical literacy development events. In 2013, 31 such events (meetings with users, seminars, training, etc.) took place.

In May, a blog of Statistics Lithuania Statistician’s sketches was started. It tells, in plain language, about statisticians’ daily routine, statistical indicators and surveys, the pur-pose and uses of statistics, events, etc. In commemora-tion of the International Year of Statistics, a photo contest “Statistics in pictures” was organised; 79 photos were received, the best of which now adorn the covers of statistical publications.

62 61 56 63 65

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Level of user satisfaction with the services of Statistics Lithuania, 2009–2013, per cent

21 25

21 21

31

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Official statistics popularisation and statistical literacy development events, 2009–2013


25

In 2013, against 2012, the budget of Statistics Lithuania, including all sources of finance, decreased by 11.5 per cent and totalled LTL 27.3 million. The main source of finance – State budget appropriations – stayed at the same level and accounted for 86.9 per cent of the total funding of Statistics Lithuania. Support from the EU Structural Funds (including State budget appropriations as a part of general funding) and other EU support, although decreased the most, still accounted for quite a significant part – 12.4 per cent – of the total funding. In 2013, support from the EU Structural Funds was alloca-ted for two projects – “Official Statistics Portal” and “Transfer of the receipt and management of statistical population survey data service to the electronic envi-ronment”.

The other part of EU support was comprised of EU funds for the reimbursement of expenditure on plane tickets and other travel expenses of employees of Sta-tistics Lithuania sent on missions and funds for projects carried out under agreements.

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

State budget appropriations for the management of official statistics

Budget appropriations for censuses

Income from information services

Appropriations carried over from the previous year

EU Structural Funds / other EU support

Sources of finance, 2008–2013, LTL thousand

Finance and expenditure


26

Improvement of the business environ-ment and reduction of the burden Statistics Lithuania will continue the implementation of statistical response burden reduction measures: it will search for possibilities to simplify statistical question-naires, analyse the possibilities of using administrative data for the production of official statistics, dedicate assiduous attention to strengthening cooperation with respondents.

Statistical population surveys in the electronic environment In 2014, Statistics Lithuania plans on finalising the in-troduction of an electronic statistical population survey data receipt and management service. We hope that this service will encourage people to actively participate in statistical surveys, enhance the quality of the statistical data collected and performance efficiency of Statistics Lithuania. It is planned to integrate and computerise all processes within the electronic statistical population survey data receipt and management service. Statistical survey processes will also be rationalised: from the pre-paration for a statistical survey (sampling, questionnaire) to statistical data processing. Such an approach will en-sure not only a more efficient but also a smoother service process – by contributing to the reduction in the number of data processing errors.

Interwar and Soviet statistics for the society and statistical microdata for scientific purposes In 2014, Official Statistics Portal development work will be finalised. After the project has been implemented, interwar and Soviet statistical indicators will be integrated into the Database of Indicators on the Official Statistics Portal. A statistical e-library will contain full-text statis-tical publications and information on other publications stored in the library of Statistics Lithuania. After remote access to confidential statistical data for scientific pur-poses has been created, such data will be provided for scientific research from a remote workplace. This will not only increase the accessibility of the service for the research community but also ensure a more efficient protection of confidential statistical data provided for scientific purposes.

Supplementation of the database In 2014, the number of values of statistical indicators published on the Official Statistics Portal will be in-creased. By the end of the year, the figure will reach 85.4 million. Moreover, the integration of statistical indi-cators published by other institutions managing official statistics into the Official Statistics Portal will be carried out, which will allow users to access all official statistics in one place, irrespective of the producer thereof.

Priorities for 2014

STATISTICS LITHUANIA ANNUAL REPORT 2013 ISSN 2029-2724 2014 The report was released by Statistics Lithuania 29 Gedimino Ave., LT-01500 Vilnius The report was prepared by the Public Relations Division of Statistics Lithuania Tel. (8 5) 236 4888 [email protected] www.stat.gov.lt

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