Strukturstatistik

Strukturstatistik, or structural statistics, is a branch of statistics focused on describing the structure or composition of a population, economy, or other system. It collects data that characterize segments of the population or organizations by attributes such as age, sex, region, industry, firm size, ownership, education, and household composition. Unlike flow statistics that measure changes over a period, strukturstatistik emphasizes the static makeup at a given point or over intervals.

In the economic sphere, structure statistics include enterprise structure statistics detailing the number of enterprises, size distribution, legal form, industry and region. In the labor market, employment and qualification structure statistics describe the distribution of workers by occupation, skill level, and sector. In demography, population structure statistics cover age and sex distribution and household composition. Education and housing may also be described by structure indicators.

Data sources and methods: Usually compiled from censuses, regular surveys, business registers, and administrative records. They use standard classifications (NACE or ISIC for industry, NUTS for regions, ISCED for education). Data can be cross-sectional or panel (longitudinal) and often require weighting to be representative. Privacy concerns and timeliness influence data quality.

Uses: Structural indicators inform policy and planning, regional development, economic diagnosis, and international comparability. They help assess structural change, such as shifts from manufacturing to services, aging populations, or changes in firm-size distribution.

Limitations: Comparability across countries and over time depends on standardization; definitions differ; sampling error; confidentiality; and delays. Nonetheless strukturstatistik provides essential context for understanding the composition of systems and guiding evidence-based decisions.