The document discusses the methodology and procedures for establishing satellite accounts. It compares core national accounts, which follow agreed standards and cover the whole economy, to satellite accounts, which can deviate from core standards to cover specific areas linked to national accounts. It outlines the process for establishing a satellite account, including testing calculations, proposals to international bodies, and implementation in countries. Challenges include reaching conceptual agreement, ensuring reliable long-term data sources, and obtaining resources. Satellite accounts meet specific user needs and can improve information and eventually inform core accounts. Eurostat facilitates satellite account development and may promote certain accounts, but implementation relies on countries.

1. Eurostat
Methodology and
Procedures for
establishing
Satellite Accounts
Seminar: Towards Satellite Accounts
for Third Sector and Social Economy
Paris, 16 October 2017
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2. Eurostat
Core National Accounts (NA) vs.
Satellite Accounts (SA)
• Core system: 2008 SNA / ESA 2010
 Fully agreed general methodology
 Covers whole economy and transactions with ROW
 Focus on "hard" measures
 Is stable / evolves slowly over time
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3. Eurostat
Core NA vs. SA II
• Satellite Accounts:
 For specific areas, can deviate from/extend the
general methodology
 But linked to and consistent with the core system
(bridge tables)
 For new concepts and data sources
 Elements can move into the core system,
e.g. capitalisation of R&D
 2008 SNA ch. 29 / ESA 2010 ch. 22
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4. Eurostat
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- Units
- Sectors
- Classifications
- Accounting
Rules
- Transactions
- Full Sequence
of Accounts
- SUT
BridgeTable
Satellite
Account
NA

5. Eurostat
Procedures for establishing a SA
• Test calculations/experimental tables
 when more mature: proposal to…
• ISWGNA = interagency body set up by the United Nations
Statistical Commission (UNSC)  EC (Eurostat), IMF,
OECD, UN, World Bank
• Assisted by the Advisory Expert Group
 discuss proposal, if positive opinion…
• to UN / coordination role / but other international
organisations may take leading role
• UN Manual with methodology and tables for a SA
• possibly EU Manual (Eurostat)
• Implementation in countries (voluntary worldwide)
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6. Eurostat
Challenges of implementing a SA
• Reach conceptual agreement on all aspects
(=manual)
• Find and preserve good data sources
• Obtain and keep sufficient resources to compile
the SA on a continuous basis
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7. Eurostat
Opportunities of implementing a SA
• Meet user needs in specific area
• Better and consistent information on a subject
• Experiment with new concepts and sources
• Could eventually reach core accounts
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8. Eurostat
Role of Eurostat
• Promotion and voluntary action
• (Rarely) legislation, but only with strong support
of MSs and European Parliament
• Examples of long-standing SA, where a legislative
basis could be negotiated: agriculture, health,
education, social protection, environment
• For others Eurostat has a facilitative role (e.g.
tourism)
• But: the countries have to implement and compile the
accounts themselves / make the internal justifcation for
resources
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9. Eurostat
Special features of SA for the social
economy
• Agree on the definition of the units
• Identify the units in data sources
• Obtain reliable data on them on an ongoing basis
• For desired variables in desired breakdown
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10. Eurostat
Experience from other SAs
• Need to demonstrate a clear policy need for the
SA over time
implement and maintain the SA
• To be promoted at EU level the subject must
impact many countries (e.g. tourism SA)
• External support for statistical offices to get
necessary and dedicated resources
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11. Eurostat
Thank you for your attention!
Contact:
Andreas Dollt
Eurostat, Unit C1 – National Accounts Methodology
andreas.dollt@ec.europa.eu
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