czstk

CZSTK (Czech Statistical Technical Key) is a standardized dataset format used primarily by the Czech Statistical Office to catalogue and exchange statistical information on demographic, economic, and social indicators. The format was introduced in the mid‑2000s as part of a national effort to improve compatibility between different statistical systems and to align Czech data practices with European Union standards.

A CZSTK file is structured in a tabular layout with a header that defines each field’s name, data type, and units. Each subsequent row represents a distinct observation, such as a population group, industrial sector, or administrative region. The format supports both flat‑file and hierarchical representations, depending on the complexity of the data. Field codes are abbreviated, and extensive documentation is supplied by the Czech Statistical Office to ensure consistent use.

The primary purpose of CZSTK is to facilitate the exchange of statistical information between national authorities, regional agencies, and third‑party researchers. By providing a common structure, CZSTK reduces the need for custom parsers when data is imported into analytical software. It is also used in the annual “Czech Statistical Yearbook” and is a required file type for submissions to Eurostat’s national accounts database.

CZSTK is maintained under a public license, allowing free download and use of the specification. The most recent revision, version 4.2, released in 2023, introduced support for new data types, such as real‑time economic indicators, and added validation rules to improve data quality. The format has been adopted by several regional statistical offices outside the Czech Republic, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, where similar data exchange needs exist.