- Methods and Projects
- Standards and Classifications
Standardised Methodological Report

Indicadores de la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible
- 1Contact
- 1.1Contact organisation
National Statistics Institute of Spain
- 1.5Contact mail address
Paseo de la Castellana 183 - 28046 Madrid
- 1.1Contact organisation
- 2Metadata update
- 2.1Metadata last certified
24/04/2019
- 2.2Metadata last posted
24/04/2019
- 2.3Metadata last update
24/04/2019
- 2.1Metadata last certified
- 3Statistical presentation
- 3.1Data description
The objective of this summary statistic is to build a framework of statistical indicators and data series that can be used to monitor the Goals and Targets of the 2030 Agenda in Spain. The selected data series are based on the global indicator framework established by the United Nations to monitor the compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals.
In accordance with the 2030 Agenda, the monitoring and evaluation processes of the Goals and Targets should be based on existing platforms and processes, avoiding duplication and taking into account national circumstances and priorities. These processes will evolve over time based on emerging issues and the methodological development of the indicators.
The publication has been organised according to the structure set out by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, so that there are 4 categories:
- Goals: the 17 goals defined in the 2030 Agenda.
- Targets: each goal is composed of one or more targets.
- Indicators: at this level, the indicators are presented as defined by the United Nations.
- Data series: for each indicator defined by the United Nations, you will find the associated data series that are used to measure and monitor the goals and targets at the national level. The latest available data is presented, with an indication of the reference period, and the data corresponding to the base period, which has been set to 2015 since it is the year when the 2030 Agenda was adopted. It is also indicated the unit of measurement and the source of the data are also available. Furthermore, it includes links to the detailed results which contain a set of the main indicator's tables, as well as to the methodology and the inventory sheet of each statistic.
- 3.2Classification system
- Clasificaciones utilizadas
Since it is a summary statistic that collects information from various social, economic and environmental areas, the classification systems are those corresponding to the numerous surveys and statistics used as sources of information.
Among others, the following classifications are used: National Classification of Economic Activities 2009 (CNAE 2009), National Classification of Occupations 2011 ( NCO-2011) and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) of the WHO.
- Clasificaciones utilizadas
- 3.3Sector coverage
The information provided is organised in 17 goals and 169 targets. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals cover the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.
- 3.4Statistical concepts and definitions
- 3.5Statistical unit
Since it is a summary statistic that collects information from different statistics, the statistical unit is the one applicable to each one of them: Living Conditions Survey, Death Statistics according to Cause of Death, National Health Survey, Hospital Morbidity Survey, Survey on the Structure of Agricultural Holdings, Basic Demographic Indicators, Economically Active Population Survey, Wage Structure Survey, Wages of Persons with Disabilities, Employment of Persons with Disabilities, Spanish Tourism Satellite Account, Structural Business Statistics: Industrial Sector, Statistics on R&D Activities, Household Budget Survey, Surveys on Waste Generation, Statistics on the Collection and Treatment of Waste, Material Flow Accounts, Survey on Equipment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Households (ICT-H), Annual Spanish National Accounts, Population Figures, Survey on Adult Population Involvement in Learning Activities and Time Use Survey.
- 3.6Statistical population
Since it is a summary statistic that collects information from different statistics, it is not possible to indicate a single statistical population. The statistical population corresponds to the statistics used as sources of information: Living Conditions Survey, Death Statistics according to Cause of Death, National Health Survey, Hospital Morbidity Survey, Survey on the Structure of Agricultural Holdings, Basic Demographic Indicators, Economically Active Population Survey, Wage Structure Survey, Wages of Persons with Disabilities, Employment of Persons with Disabilities, Spanish Tourism Satellite Account, Structural Business Statistics: Industrial Sector, Statistics on R&D Activities, Household Budget Survey, Surveys on Waste Generation, Statistics on the Collection and Treatment of Waste, Material Flow Accounts, Survey on Equipment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Households (ICT-H), Annual Spanish National Accounts, Population Figures, Survey on Adult Population Involvement in Learning Activities and Time Use Survey.
- 3.7Reference area
Data are provided for the entire national territory.
- 3.8Time coverage
The time coverage is the period 2015-2017. However, information is provided for most indicators since 2008, whenever possible. In addition, longer time series can be consulted for some indicators in the results of the statistic used as source.
- 3.9Base period
The base period for the presentation of the information is the year 2015, as it was the year when the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted.
- 3.1Data description
- 4Unit of measure
- 4.1Unit of measure
Since it is a summary statistic, which collects information from different surveys and statistics, it is not possible to indicate a single unit of measurement. The unit of measurement is the one corresponding to the surveys and statistics used as sources of information: percentage, per thousand, per 100,000, minutes, euros, thousand tonnes, tonnes per inhabitant, researchers (FTE) per million inhabitants, tonnes, kilograms/inhabitants/year, among others.
- 4.1Unit of measure
- 5Reference period
- 5.1Reference period
Data referring to the period: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Indicators, 2018.
Since it is a summary statistic, which collects information from different statistics, the reference periods are those related to the statistical operations that provide the information for the indicators.
Most indicators have an annual reference period.
- 5.1Reference period
- 6Institutional mandate
- 6.1Legal acts and other agreements
The compilation and dissemination of the data are governed by the Statistical Law No. 12/1989 "Public Statistical Function" of May 9, 1989, and Law No. 4/1990 of June 29 on “National Budget of State for the year 1990" amended by Law No. 13/1996 "Fiscal, administrative and social measures" of December 30, 1996, makes compulsory all statistics included in the National Statistics Plan. The National Statistical Plan 2009-2012 was approved by the Royal Decree 1663/2008. It contains the statistics that must be developed in the four year period by the State General Administration's services or any other entity dependent on it. All statistics included in the National Statistics Plan are statistics for state purposes and are obligatory. The National Statistics Plan 2017-2020, approved by Royal Decree 410/2016, of 31 October, is the Plan currently implemented. This statistical operation has governmental purposes, and it is included in the National Statistics Plan 2017-2020. (Statistics of the State Administration).
By means of the single additional provision of the Royal Decree by which the 2018 Annual Program of the 2017-2020 National Statistical Plan was approved, the INE was assigned the coordination role in the development of the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Indicators”.
- 6.2Data sharing
The exchanges of information needed to elaborate statistics between the INE and the rest of the State statistical offices (Ministerial Departments, independent bodies and administrative bodies depending on the State General Administration), or between these offices and the Autonomic statistical offices, are regulated in the LFEP (Law of the Public Statistic Function). This law also regulates the mechanisms of statistical coordination, and concludes cooperation agreements between the different offices when necessary.
- 6.1Legal acts and other agreements
- 7Confidentiality
- 7.1Confidentiality - policy
The Statistical Law No. 12/1989 specifies that the INE cannot publish, or make otherwise available, individual data or statistics that would enable the identification of data for any individual person or entity. Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society
- 7.2Confidentiality - data treatment
INE provides information on the protection of confidentiality at all stages of the statistical process: INE questionnaires for the operations in the national statistical plan include a legal clause protecting data under statistical confidentiality. Notices prior to data collection announcing a statistical operation notify respondents that data are subject to statistical confidentiality at all stages. For data processing, INE employees have available the INE data protection handbook, which specifies the steps that should be taken at each stage of processing to ensure reporting units' individual data are protected. The microdata files provided to users are anonymised.
- 7.1Confidentiality - policy
- 8Release policy
- 8.1Release calendar
The advance release calendar that shows the precise release dates for the coming year is disseminated in the last quarter of each year.
- 8.2Release calendar access
The calendar is disseminated on the INEs Internet website (Publications Calendar)
- 8.3User access
The data are released simultaneously according to the advance release calendar to all interested parties by issuing the press release. At the same time, the data are posted on the INE's Internet website (www.ine.es/en) almost immediately after the press release is issued. Also some predefined tailor-made requests are sent to registered users. Some users could receive partial information under embargo as it is publicly described in the European Statistics Code of Practice
- 8.1Release calendar
- 9Frequency of dissemination
- 9.1Frequency of dissemination
The dissemination of this statistic is carried out continuously as the results of the statistics used as a source are published.
Most indicators are disseminated on an annual basis with the exception of those from occasional statistical operations or with a frequency higher than one year.
- 9.1Frequency of dissemination
- 10Accessibility and clarity
- 10.1News release
The results of the statistical operations are normally disseminated by using press releases that can be accessed via both the corresponding menu and the Press Releases Section in the web
- 10.2Publications
The publication of the results is done through a continuously updated electronic bulletin board, as the results of the statistics used as source for the indicators are disseminated:
https://www.ine.es/dynt3/ODS/en/index.htm
- 10.3On-line database
INEbase is the system the INE uses to store statistical information on the Internet. It contains all the information the INE produces in electronic formats. The primary organisation of the information follows the theme-based classification of the Inventory of Statistical Operations of the State General Administration . The basic unit of INEbase is the statistical operation, defined as the set of activities that lead to obtaining statistical results on a determined sector or subject based on the individually collected data. Also included in the scope of this definition are synthesis preparation.
- 10.4Micro-data access
A lot of statistical operations disseminate public domain anonymized files, available free of charge for downloading in the INE website Microdata Section
Since it is a summary statistic, it collects information from different surveys and statistics. For each indicator, we provide links to the statistical operations from which they are obtained, so that microdata can be downloaded, if available.
- 10.5Other
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- 10.6Documentation on methodology
A methodological description is provided through the following link:
https://www.ine.es/ods/metodologia_ods.pdf
- 10.7Quality documentation
Since it is a summary statistic, the quality reports of the indicators are those available for the operations from which they are derived.
- 10.1News release
- 11Quality management
- 11.1Quality assurance
Quality assurance framework for the INE statistics is based on the ESSCoP, the European Statistics Code of Practice made by EUROSTAT. The ESSCoP is made up of 16 principles, gathered in three areas: Institutional Environment, Processes and Products. Each principle is associated with some indicators which make possible to measure it. In order to evaluate quality, EUROSTAT provides different tools: the indicators mentioned above, Self-assessment based on the DESAP model, peer review, user satisfaction surveys and other proceedings for evaluation.
The set of indicators in the publication relates to the global indicator framework adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission for the follow-up and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
For each indicator, data on the quality of the different sources of information used are available.
The units responsible for the different sources of information used for each indicator are in charge of validating the information before its publication and selecting which tables are shown in detailed results.
Some of the indicators used were already being published and in other cases correspond to a customised request made to the unit responsible for the base information. All statistical operations used for the indicators meet the quality criteria of the official statistics.
The publication is continuously being updated as the results of the statistics that serve as source of information are disseminated.
- 11.2Quality assessment
This statistical operation compiles available statistical information relating to the global indicators of the United Nations Framework. This is a high quality product as all data provided comes from statistics that comply with the Code of Practice and have been favourably assessed by the High Council on Statistics.
One of the pending improvements is to enlarge its scope by including data from ministerial departments and other agencies attached to ministries.
- 11.1Quality assurance
- 12Relevance
- 12.1User needs
Given its high relevance at national and international level, there is a strong demand for this information from different types of users. Among the users of this statistic, there are institutional users, universities, non-governmental organizations and the general public.
Currently, only the indicators developed by INE are disseminated. However, it is planned to soon incorporate the indicators produced by other statistical services of the State Administration and entities attached, in order to meet the needs of users.
- 12.2User satisfaction
The INE has carried out general user satisfaction surveys in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016 and it plans to continue doing so every three years. The purpose of these surveys is to find out what users think about the quality of the information of the INE statistics and the extent to which their needs of information are covered. In addition, additional surveys are carried out in order to acknowledge better other fields such as dissemination of the information, quality of some publications...
On the INE website, in its section Methods and Projects / Quality and Code of Practice / INE quality management / User surveys are available surveys conducted to date.(Click next link)
- 12.3Completeness
The set of indicators is based on the global indicators framework established by the United Nations to monitor compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The global indicator framework of the United Nations consists of 232 indicators. These indicators are classified into three tiers, according to their methodological development and data availability:
a) Tier I: Methodology and standards are available and data are produced regularly by countries.
b) Tier II: Methodology and standards are available, but data are not regularly produced by countries.
c) Tier III: no established methodology or standards are available yet.
The classification of tiers contains 98 tier I indicators, 71 tier II indicators and 70 tier III indicators. In addition to these, there are 5 indicators that have multiple tiers (the different components of the indicator are classified into different tiers).
Initially, only the indicators produced by the INE are disseminated. Afterwards, those produced by other statistical services of the State Administration and entities attached may be incorporated.
- 12.1User needs
- 13Accuracy and reliability
- 13.1Overall accuracy
Since it is a summary statistic, the information on accuracy and reliability related to the statistics used as a source for the indicators.
- 13.2Sampling error
Since it is a summary statistic, the sampling errors are those related to the statistics from which the information for the indicators is collected.
- 13.3Non-sampling error
Since it is a summary statistic, non-sampling errors are those related to the statistics from which the information for the indicators is collected.
- 13.1Overall accuracy
- 14Timeliness and punctuality
- 14.1Timeliness
The update of the data is made indicator by indicator, as the publication of the corresponding sources of information are released.
- 14.2Punctuality
The dissemination of data is carried out in accordance with the dates announced for each statistic in the publication calendar.
- 14.1Timeliness
- 15Coherence and Comparability
- 15.1Comparability - geographical
All indicators are disseminated at the national level, and also by Autonomous Communities when possible.
- 15.2Comparability - over time
The comparability over time should be analysed indicator by indicator, according to its statistical operation of origin. In general they are comparable over time.
- 15.3Coherence - cross domain
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- 15.4Coherence - internal
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- 15.1Comparability - geographical
- 16Cost and burden
- 16.1Cost and burden
Estimated budgetary appropriations in 2018: 22.77 thousand euros.
- 16.1Cost and burden
- 17Data revision
- 17.1Data revision - policy
The INE of Spain has a policy which regulates the basic aspects of statistical data revision, seeking to ensure process transparency and product quality. This policy is laid out in the document approved by the INE board of directors on 13 March of 2015, which is available on the INE website, in the section "Methods and projects/Quality and Code of Practice/INE’s Quality management/INE’s Revision policy" (link).
This general policy sets the criteria that the different type of revisions should follow: routine revision- it is the case of statistics whose production process includes regular revisions-; more extensive revision- when methodological or basic reference source changes take place-; and exceptional revision- for instance, when an error appears in a published statistic-.
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- 17.2Data revision - practice
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- 17.1Data revision - policy
- 18Statistical processing
- 18.1Source data
Since it is a summary statistic, it collects information from multiple surveys and statistics: Living Conditions Survey, Death Statistics according to Cause of Death, National Health Survey, Hospital Morbidity Survey, Survey on the Structure of Agricultural Holdings, Basic Demographic Indicators, Economically Active Population Survey, Wage Structure Survey, Wages of Persons with Disabilities, Employment of Persons with Disabilities, Spanish Tourism Satellite Account, Structural Business Statistics: Industrial Sector, Statistics on R&D Activities, Household Budget Survey, Surveys on Waste Generation, Statistics on the Collection and Treatment of Waste, Material Flow Accounts, Survey on Equipment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Households (ICT-H), Annual Spanish National Accounts, Population Figures, Survey on Adult Population Involvement in Learning Activities and Time Use Survey.
The characteristics and components from the information sources should be consulted in the corresponding statistical operation.
- 18.2Frequency of data collection
In general the frequency is annual. However, some statistics are sporadic or with a frequency higher than once a year.There are also sporadic modules.
- 18.3Data collection
Since it is a summary statistic, it collects information from multiple surveys and statistics. In the statistical operations linked to each indicator, the mechanism for obtaining the initial information is explained.
- 18.4Data validation
The information is validated by the INE units responsible for the different statistics used as source.
- 18.5Data compilation
Since it is a summary statistic, it collects information from multiple surveys and statistics.
Each statistical operation has its own data compilation process.
- 18.6Adjustment
As it is a summary statistic, the adjustment of the data is specific to each statistic.
- 18.1Source data
- 19Comment
- 19.1Comment
- 19.1Comment