Statistics explained : your guide to European statistics : 2018 edition.
Date: 2019-02-26
Institutions: Eurostat
Subjects: EU statistics, Eurostat, database, dissemination of EU information, dissemination of information

Statistics Explained —
your guide to 
European Statistics

2018 edition

C O M P A C T  
G U I D E S

What is Statistics Explained?

Statistics Explained is your guide  
to European statistics. 

Statistics Explained is an official Eurostat website presenting 
articles on statistical topics in an easily understandable 
way. Together, these articles make up an encyclopedia of 
European statistics for everyone, completed by a statistical 
glossary clarifying all terms used and by numerous hyperlinks 
to further information. It is a portal for both non-specialists 
and more skilled users of statistics.

1

3

2

How is the information in Statistics 
Explained presented?
Statistics Explained is made up of highly interlinked 
webpages working in a similar way as Wikipedia. There are 
essentially two basic types of pages in Statistics Explained: 
Statistical articles and Background/glossary pages. 

Statistical articles provide information on a particular topic 
and include the complete range of statistical subjects covered 
by Eurostat – social and economic statistics as well as a large 
range of more specialised statistics. The most commonly 
accessed articles in 2018 relate to migration, unemployment, 
wages, GDP, price levels, energy, ageing population, etc.

Background/glossary pages provide information on 
definitions, statistical concepts and methodology.

Statistical articles

A typical statistical article starts with the date of extraction of 
the data used, the planned update date, some tweetable main 
messages, an interactive visualisation tool, a brief introduction 
and a table of contents where the titles of the article are 
clickable for direct access to chapters. At the end of the article 
on the right hand side under Direct access to there are icons 
linking to further useful information on the subject.

Background articles

Background articles look deeper into the subjects presented 
and provide comprehensive methodological information 
on different statistical indicators (definitions of concepts, 
methods of calculation, classifications, etc.).

Glossary pages

Glossary entries appear as hyperlinks within statistical articles, 
allowing the user to open a new page containing a simple 
explanation of the glossary term. Some glossary terms are followed 
by a set of hyperlinks for more detailed or related information.

Statistics 4 beginners

The aim of the section Statistics 4 beginners is to make the 
world of statistics a bit easier for both pupils and students, as 
well as for those who would like to improve their knowledge of 
statistics. Several statistical concepts and fields are explained in a 
clear and simple way, complemented by numerous examples,  
illustrations and videos.

Online publications

?

In some cases, articles 
related to the same 
subject of interest are 
grouped into online 
publications. Examples are 
the online publications 
on International trade 
in goods or Health in 
the European Union. 
The Regional yearbook as 
well as EU in the world are 
other examples of online 
publications available in 
Statistics Explained. 

How can I find information  
in Statistics Explained?

If you are looking for an article on electricity prices 
for example…

1   Enter electricity price in the search in the right hand corner:

Electricity price

2   

Energy in general

Energy statistics - an overview

Europe 2020 indicators - climate change and energy

You can also look at the 
theme entry pages under 
Environment and energy.

Energy sources

Coal

Electricity

Natural gas

Oil and petroleum

Renewable energy

Nuclear

Other topics

Energy and environment

Energy consumption

Energy production, imports and supply

Energy prices

By clicking on Energy, all 
articles on energy will appear 
and articles on Energy prices,  
for example electricity prices 
can be chosen.

…or if you are looking for a definition of GDP

3   For a definition, you need to look in the glossary. 

The easiest way is to click on the Glossary tab on the right 
hand side of the main page.

A thematic glossary page will appear and you can chose 
National accounts where you will find the glossary for GDP:

 
 
What language options are 
available?
•  All articles and glossary terms in Statistics Explained 

are available in English. 

•  23 articles are available in 21 other official EU 

languages. 

•  Around 800 glossary terms are available in French and 

around 600 in German. 

Visit Statistics Explained!
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained

P
D
F

:

K
S
-
0
6
-
1
8
-
0
6
3
-
E
N
N

-

P
r
i
n
t
:

K
S
-
0
6
-
1
8
-
0
6
3
-
E
N
-
C

© European Union, 2018 
Illustration: © European Union 

PDF:   ISBN 978-92-79-93476-6  doi:10.2785/052
Print:  ISBN 978-92-79-93474-2  doi:10.2785/832979