Press release, 15.12.2023.

International audit: the quality and reliability of HCSO data is outstanding

The report concludes that Hungary has traditionally had a strong and reliable statistical system and that the modernisation and improvement measures taken since the previous audit have contributed greatly to strengthening Hungarian statistics. The experts underlined that the quality and reliability of the statistics of the HCSO are outstanding, ensured by reliable and continuously improved methodologies.

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, together with the statistical offices of the EU and EFTA countries and other statistical authorities producing European statistics, form the European Statistical System (ESS), which aims to provide high quality statistics at European, national and territorial level. One of the most important documents of the ESS is the European Statistics Code of Practice, which lays down the principles and criteria for European statistics. Compliance with these principles is regularly assessed by the ESS. The third Peer Review of all Member States took place between 2021 and 2023, with a mission of independent experts from Eurostat and the Member States peer reviewing the national statistical systems using the same methodology. The audit included the completion of a self-assessment questionnaire for the national statistical system concerned and an on-site visit. The Peer Review experts visited Hungary for five days in March this year to assess the compliance of the HCSO and other institutions producing official statistics (Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Agriculture, Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Office) with the principles of the Code. After the visit, the experts produced a report with recommendations and suggestions for improvement for the HCSO and the national authorities involved in the production of official statistics. This report has now been published in English by Eurostat and in Hungarian by HCSO.

The report concludes that Hungary has traditionally had a strong and reliable statistical system and that the modernisation and development efforts undertaken since the previous audit have contributed greatly to strengthening Hungarian statistics. The report points out that the HCSO is characterised by a very strong willingness to innovate, and that the Office is effectively developing the statistical use of alternative data sources (public, administrative databases) and data held by large market players (e.g. mobile operators, commercial organisations). The experts underlined the high quality and reliability of the statistics produced by the HCSO, which is ensured by reliable and continuously improved methodologies. The report concludes that the HCSO, as the coordinator of the activities of the Official Statistical Service (OSS) and as the developer of guidelines and recommendations for official statistical activities and accreditor of the members of the OSS, has a key role in the production of official statistics in Hungary. The HCSO can also build on its extensive experience to play a more prominent role in national data asset management, thereby facilitating and supporting the wider use of administrative data and the exploration and exploitation of new data sources.

Quality is a hallmark of official European statistics that makes them more reliable than data available from other sources. A peer review similar to this year's has been carried out twice before, in 2006-2008 and 2013-2015. The audit team's recommendations and suggestions for improvement are in line with the HCSO's ongoing innovation activities, such as the use of alternative data sources, exploiting the potential of data governance, and striving for responsiveness, timeliness and relevance.

Hungarian Central Statistical Office

H-1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly u. 5-7. Tel./Phone: (+36-1) 345-6000
Postacím/Postal address: P.O.Box 51 Budapest H-1525
http://www.ksh.hu