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Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Methodology and quality
  3. ESMS metadata
  4. Government finance

Government finance

1. Contact
1.1. Contact organisation

Statistics Estonia

1.2. Contact organisation unit

Economic and Environmental Statistics Department

1.3. Contact name

Pauline Kommer

1.4. Contact person function

Team Lead

1.5. Contact mail address

51 Tatari Str, 10134 Tallinn, Estonia

1.6. Contact email address

pauline.kommer [at] stat.ee

1.7. Contact phone number

37253618974

2. Metadata update
2.1. Metadata last certified

27/03/2025

2.2. Metadata last update

27/03/2025

3. Statistical presentation
3.1. Data description

Revenue, expenditure, surplus and deficit, financial transactions and debt level of the general government

State and local tax revenues

Liquid fuel stockpiling fees have been calculated and classified according to Eurostat’s guidance note (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/1015035/2041357/Guidance-Note-Classification-of-CSEs.pdf/b6b6af21-b200-4529-ba22-7db3246b40d4), issued 29.08.2014.

Contributions to the Guarantee Fund have been classified as other taxes on production as a result of reclassification of the Guarantee Fund to the public sector.

The sectoral classification of taxes results from European System of Accounts (ESA) 2010 paragraph 1.78, which states that “a tax is attributed to the government unit that exercises the authority to impose the tax [...] and has final discretion to set and vary the rate of the tax”.

3.2. Classification system

Estonian Classification of Economic Activities (EMTAK 2008) based on NACE Rev. 2

Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG)

ESA 2010: Classification of assets

ESA 2010: Classification of transactions and other flows

ESA 2010: Classification of institutional sectors

3.3. Sector coverage

Based on the ESA 2010 classification of institutional sectors, the statistical activity covers the general government sector with its sub-sectors: the subsectors of the central government, local governments and social security funds as well as the public sector.

3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

The terms and definitions have been stipulated by the Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on the European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union

3.5. Statistical unit

ESA 2010 institutional sector

3.6. Statistical population

Government authorities and state institutions under their administration, Office of the President, Chancellery of the Riigikogu, National Audit Office of Estonia, Office of the Chancellor of Justice, Supreme Court, local government units and institutions financed from their budgets, public-legal institutions and foundations in the general government sector, health care institutions, non-market producer enterprises under the control of the state or local government units

FRAME

Reporting entities specified in the general rules for state accounting, from the information system on governmental accounts

List of general government units generated from the Business Register for Statistical Purposes

3.7. Reference area

Estonia as a whole

3.8. Time coverage

1995–…

3.9. Base period

Not applicable

4. Unit of measure

Monetary valuation in euros

5. Reference period

Year

Month

Quarter

6. Institutional mandate
6.1. Legal acts and other agreements

DIRECTLY APPLICABLE LEGAL ACTS

Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on the European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union (Text with EEA relevance)

Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 of 25 May 2009 on the application of the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community

Council Regulation (EC) No 1222/2004 of 28 June 2004 concerning the compilation and transmission of data on the quarterly government debt

Regulation (EC) No 501/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 on quarterly financial accounts for general government

Regulation (EC) No 1221/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 June 2002 on quarterly non-financial accounts for general government

Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances

Regulation (EU) No 473/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on common provisions for monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area

Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on the strengthening of economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States in the euro area experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability

Regulation (EU) No 1173/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the effective enforcement of budgetary surveillance in the euro area

Regulation (EU) No 1174/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on enforcement measures to correct excessive macroeconomic imbalances in the euro area

Regulation (EU) No 1175/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies

Council Regulation (EU) No 679/2010 of 26 July 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 as regards the quality of statistical data in the context of the excessive deficit procedure

Regulation (EC) No 1161/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2005 on the compilation of quarterly non-financial accounts by institutional sector

OTHER LEGAL ACTS

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2011/85/EU of 8 November 2011 on requirements for budgetary frameworks of the Member States

OTHER AGREEMENTS

European Central Bank (ECB)

Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat)

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

7. Confidentiality
7.1. Confidentiality - policy

The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 32, § 34, § 35, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act.

7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

The dissemination of data collected for the production of official statistics is based on the requirements laid down in §§ 34 and 35 of the Official Statistics Act.

The principles for treatment of confidential data can be found here.

8. Release policy
8.1. Release calendar

Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website. Every year on 1 October, the release times of the statistical database, news releases, main indicators by IMF SDDS and publications for the following year are announced in the release calendar (in the case of publications – the release month).

8.2. Release calendar access

Calendar

8.3. User access

All users have been granted equal access to official statistics: dissemination dates of official statistics are announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) is provided access to official statistics before other users. Official statistics are first published in the statistical database. If there is also a news release, it is published simultaneously with data in the statistical database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8:00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calendar.

9. Frequency of dissemination

Annual

Quarterly

Monthly

10. Accessibility and clarity
10.1. News release

The news release “Debt of general government and deficit in the budget” once a year. The news release can be viewed on the website of Statistics Estonia in the section News.

10.2. Publications

Not published

10.3. Online database

Data are published in the statistical database at https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat under the subject area “Economy / Finance / Government finances / Taxes” in the following tables:

RR01: State budget tax revenues

RR02: Local budgets tax revenues

RR022: State and local tax revenues

RR024: State budget tax revenues (quarters)

RR025: Local budgets tax revenues (quarters)

RR026: State and local tax revenues (quarters)

RR027: State budget tax revenues (months)

and under the subject area “Economy / Finance / Government finances / Revenue, expenditure and debt of general government” in the following tables:

RR0295: Taxes and social contributions in national accounts by sub-sector (ESA 2010)

RR05: General government expenditure compared to previous year (ESA 2010)

RR055: Revenue and expenditure of general government by sub-sector (ESA 2010)

RR056: Expenditure of general government by function and sub-sector (ESA 2010) (consolidated)

RR057: Consolidated revenue and expenditure of general government (ESA 2010) (quarters)

RR0575: General government social benefits in cash by type of benefit (quarters)

RR058: General government consolidated debt, 31 December (ESA 2010)

RR059: General government consolidated debt (ESA 2010) (quarters)

RR060: General government gross debt in nominal value (IMF SDDS Plus) (quarters)

RR061: Share of general government consolidated debt in gross domestic product (ESA 2010)

RR10: Financial accounts for general government (ESA 2010) (quarters)

10.4. Microdata access

The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 33, § 34, § 35, § 36, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act. Access to microdata and anonymisation of microdata are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s procedure for dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes.

10.5. Other

Data serve as input for statistical activities 10104 “Environmental taxes accounts”, 20901 “Business register for statistical purposes”, 21401 “National accounts (annual)”, 21405 “National accounts (quarterly)”, 21406 “Regional GDP”, 21407 “Sector accounts”, 21408 “Supply and use tables”, 40310 “Formal educationŠ”, 40509 “European system of integrated social protection statistics (ESSPROS)” and 50201 “Sustainable development indicators”.

10.6. Documentation on methodology

European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 2010)

Eurostat Manual on Government Deficit and Debt. Implementation of ESA2010, Eurostat (2022)

Manual on sources and methods for the compilation of COFOG statistics. Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG), Eurostat (2019)

Manual on quarterly non-financial accounts for general government, Eurostat (2011)

Manual on Quarterly Financial Accounts for General Government

10.7. Quality documentation

Reports on the visits undertaken by Eurostat to review government finance statistics are published on Eurostat’s website at

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/government-finance-statistics/excessive-deficit-procedure/eurostat-edp-visits-to-member-states

According to Commission implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2304, the quality report on data transmitted pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council

11. Quality management
11.1. Quality assurance

To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (ESS QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements in § 7. “Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.

11.2. Quality assessment

Statistics Estonia performs all statistical activities according to an international model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process; this information can take many forms, including feedback from users, process metadata, system metrics and suggestions from employees. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report which outlines all the quality problems related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.

The data quality is assessed by the European Commission (Eurostat) – coverage, timeliness and extent of revisions are assessed based on the ESA 2010 Transmission Programme. Based on previous results, Eurostat’s assessment of the quality of Estonian finance statistics is very good.

12. Relevance
12.1. User needs

Ministry of Finance

Eesti Pank and the European Commission for monitoring the financial situation of the country within the framework of the application of the Stability and Growth Pact and macroeconomic imbalance procedures; for the analysis of the country’s financial stability; for the preparation of budget prognoses, development plans and policies; for the monitoring and analyses of the financial situation of the local governments

12.2. User satisfaction

Since 1996, Statistics Estonia has conducted reputation and user satisfaction surveys. All results are available on the website of Statistics Estonia in the section User surveys.

12.3. Completeness

In compliance with the rules (regulations)

13. Accuracy and reliability
13.1. Overall accuracy

Due to the under-coverage of source data, a shift in assessments may occur. The degree of the shift is reduced by using expert assessments.

13.2. Sampling error

Not applicable

13.3. Non-sampling error

Not measured

14. Timeliness and punctuality
14.1. Timeliness

The monthly data about taxes accrued in the state budget are published 20 days after the end of the reference month (T + 20), the monthly data about the state budget revenue and expenditure are published 45 days after the end of the reference month (T + 45), the quarterly data about taxes accrued in the local government budgets and state and local government budgets are published 45 days after the end of the reference quarter (T + 45).

Data on government revenue and expenditure, financial transactions and debts are published:

The quarterly data 85 days after the end of the reference quarter (T + 85);

Preliminary annual data 85 days after the end of the reference year (T + 85);

The revised annual data 268 days after the end of the reference year (T + 268).

14.2. Punctuality

The data have been published at the time announced in the release calendar.

15. Coherence and comparability
15.1. Comparability - geographical

The geographical comparability of national accounts in Member States of the European Union is ensured by the application of common definitions of the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). Worldwide geographical comparison is also possible as most non-European countries apply the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008) guidelines, and SNA 2008 is consistent with ESA 2010.

15.2. Comparability - over time

National accounts time series compiled according to a common methodology start from 1995.

From 2020, the table “RR21: State budget revenue and expenditure (months)” will not be published.

15.3. Coherence - cross domain

Government financial statistics are entirely comparable with the other national accounts data (annual and quarterly national accounts, government accounts, sector accounts, financial accounts, regional accounts, supply and use tables) and differences are rare. However, full consistency of data is not always possible and temporary discrepancies may occur. These are usually caused by vintage differences.

15.4. Coherence - internal

The outputs of government financial statistics are intercomparable and differences are rare. However, full consistency of data is not always possible and temporary discrepancies may occur. These are usually caused by vintage differences.

Tables RR058, RR059 and RR061 are an exception from European System of Accounts (ESA) 2010 methodology with relation to general government debt. The valuation of debt differs from ESA 2010 valuation of financial liabilities. While ESA 2010 values financial assets and liabilities in market value (wherever possible), the general government debt is valued at nominal value. Data in table RR060 is reported based on IMF SDDS Plus data dissemination standard. Therefore the definition of total gross debt differs from Maastricht debt reported in tables RR058, RR059 and RR061.

16. Cost and burden

17. Data revision
17.1. Data revision - policy

The data revision policy and notification of corrections are described in the section Principles of dissemination of official statistics of the website of Statistics Estonia.

The revision principles agreed between producers of official statistics on government finance, national accounts and external statistics, which are in line with the principles of the revision policy recommended by the European Commission and the European Central Bank, are published on the web site of Eesti Pank: http://statistika.eestipank.ee/failid/mbo/pohimotted_eng.html

17.2. Data revision - practice

The published data may be revised if the methodology is modified, errors are discovered, new or better data become available.

Government finance statistics for the last four years are revised annually; the results are published in September.

18. Statistical processing
18.1. Source data

SURVEY DATA

Not used

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

From the Ministry of Finance monthly reports on state budget execution: consolidated reports on revenue and expenditure

From the website of the Ministry of Finance: consolidated annual report of the state, quarterly reports on local government budget execution

From the State Shared Service Centre information system on governmental accounts: accounts submitted according to the public sector financial accounting and reporting guidelines

From the commercial register of the Centre of Registers and Infomation Systems and entities’ websites: annual reports and other information on the activities of legal persons in public law, public sector foundations and state accounting entities

From the Ministry of Finance: structural funds reports and reports on funds transferred into the European Union own funds

From the Register of Social Services and Benefits: subsistence benefits

Wages data of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications by department

Wages data of Tallinn city by institutions and offices

From the Estonian Tax and Customs Board: report on tax receipts and detailed monthly report on payment of taxes, data of income and social tax reports, aggregate data on goods imported to Estonia for free circulation and subject to customs duties (by commodity code), aggregate data on excise duties of goods imported to Estonia for free circulation and subject to excise duties by declaration of goods (by commodity code), aggregate data on domestic excise duties by commodity chapter. Taxes and social security payments data are derived from tax receipts basis

Eurostat EFSF (European Financial Stability Facility) reports

From the Eesti Pank (the central bank of Estonia): information on capital, reserves and profit/losses of Eesti Bank and Finantsinspektsioon.

In addition, the reports on General Government claims and liabilities to monetary financial institutions and financial subsidiaries are used. The International Investment Position is used to evaluate General Government liabilities to Rest of the World sector (S.2).

DATA FROM OTHER STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES

Data from statistical activities 21207 “Economic accounts for agriculture”, 21701 “Research and development”, 22027 “Registered motor vehicles”, 22303 “Foreign trade” and 40308 “Educational expenditure” are used.

18.2. Frequency of data collection

Annual

Quarterly

Monthly

18.3. Data collection

Data from administrative sources are collected electronically, incl.:

all submitted accounting balances are received from the information system of accounting balances of the State Shared Service Centre;

data on tax declarations, returns and debts are received from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board;

annual reports of companies and non-profit associations established by the state and local governments are received from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board;

published activity reports which record economic transactions, the allocation, payment and use of state or external aid of the units under observation are collected from their websites.

18.4. Data validation

Arithmetic and qualitative controls are used in the validation process, including comparison with other data. Before data dissemination, internal coherence of the data is checked.

18.5. Data compilation

In case of missing or unreliable data, missing values are imputed according to set rules.

The collected data are converted into statistical output. Variables and statistical units which were not collected but which are necessary for producing output are calculated. Microdata are aggregated to the level necessary for analysis and sum according to the classification.

New variables are calculated by applying arithmetic conversion to already existing variables. The derived variable may, in turn, be based on previously derived variables.

The sectoral classification of taxes results from European System of Accounts (ESA) 2010 paragraph 1.78, which states that “a tax is attributed to the government unit that exercises the authority to impose the tax [...] and has final discretion to set and vary the rate of the tax”.

Tables RR01, RR02, RR022, RR024, RR025, RR026, RR027 and RR0295 are compiled on the basis of state budget and local budgets execution reports.

Value added tax, excise duties and social contributions are time-adjusted with the one month time lag.

The revenue from the sale of emission permits is calculated according to the methodology set out in the ESA 2010 (European System of Accounts) Manual on Government Deficit and Debt.

Tables RR05, RR055, RR057, RR0575, RR056, RR058, RR059, RR060, RR061 and RR10 are based on reports collected in the context of Estonian public sector accounting system, cash reports about tax revenues presented by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and budget execution reports by local governments.

Table RR21 is compiled on the basis of state budget execution reports. State budget revenues and expenditures published in this table do not include transferrable tax revenues (e.g. local governments’ share of personal income tax and unemployment insurance payments) which do not remain in the state budget.

Table RR10 is in compliance with ESA 2010 methodology, the financial assets and liabilities and transactions in financial instruments are valued in market value wherever possible. Financial instruments are divided into short-term and long-term instruments according to their original maturity. In principle the financial instruments with maturity at inception of under one year, are considered as short-term instruments, all the other instruments are considered long-term.

Tables RR058, RR059 and RR061 are an exception from ESA 2010 methodology with relation to general government debt. The valuation of debt differs from ESA 2010 valuation of financial liabilities. While ESA 2010 values financial assets and liabilities in market value (wherever possible), the general government debt is valued at nominal value.

Data in table RR060 is reported based on IMF SDDS Plus data dissemination standard. Therefore the definition of total gross debt differs from Maastricht debt reported in tables RR058, RR059 and RR061.

18.6. Adjustment

Not applied

19. Comments

Not available

Contacts

+372 625 9300
stat [at] stat.ee
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