Support for statisticians

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the ability of statistical authorities to collect and process data in the traditional manner. Face-to-face interviews are being replaced with telephone and web-based surveys. The price observations needed to compile inflation statistics are both harder to collect and, for many goods and services, even missing. Staff numbers are reduced by sickness and family responsibilities, while the massive use of teleworking places demands on technical infrastructure.

Eurostat and national statistical authorities have been working together to develop guidelines to address the methodological issues generated by these changes. This ensures that European statistics continue to be based on sound foundations. Our aim is to focus on solutions and directly help not only to official statisticians in the EU and EFTA countries but also worldwide.

This methodological page brings together all the new guidelines and methodological notes published by Eurostat and will be regularly updated as new guidelines are developed.