Accuracy and reliability
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National Accounts, Economic DepartmentPeter Rørmose Jensen
+45 40 13 51 26
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The inaccuracy of the national accounts figures relates to the inaccuracy of the various sources, which are used. However, the conceptual consistency and, the uniform adaptation of the sources over time contribute to reducing the inaccuracy of the national accounts figures. In particular, the combination of the primary sources into a coherent system in many cases gives rise to the detection of errors, which therefore are not reflected in the final national accounts or in the input-output tables.
No estimates of uncertainty are carried out.
The uncertainty of the last two years in the series of input-output tables with 69 industries is greater than tables at the full 117 industry levels. Furthermore, the table for 2020 is under the influence of the significant economic changes that Covid-19 has brought, and is therefore subject to extra great uncertainty.
Overall accuracy
When the national accounts were aligned with the definitions in the European System of National Accounts ESA 2010, the national accounts were at the same time undergoing a major revision, which means that all the levels were examined and evaluated. A reasonable accuracy of the national accounts figures is maintained by compiling the product balances at a very detailed level. Furthermore, the compilation of the central variable GDP is to the greatest extent possible done from the 3 points of view: production, expenditure and income, so these figures may be compared. Nevertheless some degree of uncertainty is linked to the data. A further reason for a possible lack of accuracy of the data in the table may be unreliability of the assumptions made in order to set up the table.
Sampling error
Not relevant for this statistics.
Non-sampling error
The "fixed product sales assumption" will lead to overestimation of some cells and underestimation of other cells.
Quality management
Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.
Quality assurance
Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.
Quality assessment
Input-output tables are compilations in matrix format of the central parts of the final national accounts applying a minimal number of assumptions and calculations.
Data revision - policy
Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.
Data revision practice
At the moment, preliminary input-output tables are not calculated. Consequently, only the final yearly table is available.