Statistics play a fundamental role in planning, developing and monitoring the economic, social and environmental aspects of the European Single Market. The EFTA Statistical Office (ESO) is the liaison office between the EFTA National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) and Eurostat – the statistical office of the European Union. Cooperation between the EFTA NSIs, Eurostat and ESO, particularly in the context of the EEA Agreement, and technical cooperation with partner countries outside the European Statistical System remain the two main areas of ESO’s activities.
National statistical institutes in the EU and EFTA States
Data Collection
The National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) collect data using surveys, censuses, administrative as well as privately held sources.
EFTA and the European Statistical System
EFTA Statistical Office
ESO, as a liaison office, supports the EFTA NSIs in their cooperation with Eurostat.
European Statistics Dissemination
Eurostat disseminates European statistics on the EU and EFTA States through various channels, including online databases, publications, and visualisation tools.
European Statistics development and production
Eurostat leads the harmonisation and production of European statistics using the statistical results from the EU and EFTA NSIs.
Policy makers, researchers, businesses, and citizens
Utilisation and Awareness
European statistics provide information about the functioning and development of the EU single market, in which the EFTA States participate. Policy makers, researchers, businesses, and citizens use European statistics for decision-making, research and analysis, general information, and awareness.
