Rounding methods for protecting EU-aggregates

Abstract

In the European Statistical System the statistical information is collected by the National Statistical Institutes (NSIs). The NSIs produce aggregate tables at the national level. They are also responsible for proper protection of these tables and hence they have to keep certain cells confidential, suppressing them from publications. Eurostat produces statistical information at the EU-level. However, the national suppressions hamper very much the publication of EU-aggregates although it is often only a few smaller countries having to keep their contribution to the EU-total confidential. This paper reports on a research-project that aims for making more EU aggregates available whilst at the same time guaranteeing the national suppressed figures to remain confidential.