Accuracy and reliability
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Government Finances, Economic Statistics.Louise Mathilde Justesen
+45 40 26 47 43
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The overall accurancy of the statistics i considered to be high, as the primary data sources is contributed by the general government finances. However, there are uncertainty associated with the funding of households and international sources to education. Moreover, misclassifications can occur as it can be difficult to determined whether some areas are within the scope of UOE2020. The detail level from annual reports used for private tertiary educations are fraught with uncertainty because of the overall coding.
Overall accuracy
The overall accuracy of the statistic is high, at the primary data sources is constituted by the general government finances. Distribution keys are based on student data to divide expenditures across education levels. The level of detail from annual reports for the private tertiary educational institutions are concerned with a degree of uncertainty due to the overall coding. Further, the funding from households and international sources are not fully covered.
Sampling error
Not relevant for this statistic
Non-sampling error
Misclassification within UOE2020 framework can lead to systematic uncertainty. The misclassification is attempted to be reduced by a detailed review of each account and after thorough research included or excluded. Furthermore, changes can occur in the lineup of annual reports, which can lead to over or underestimation of education expenditures.
Quality management
Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.
Quality assurance
Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.
Quality assessment
The statistic reflects expenditures to education and the funding of education in Denmark and is published annually 11 months after the end of the reference period. Data is revised back to year t-3. However, extraordinary revisions may occur for the entire time series, as the statistic is relatively new. The statistic is in accordance with UOE2020 definitions and classifications and is presented with Danish education terminology, which should result in a easier interpretation. The statistic is consistent and international comparable with countries within the OECD and Eurostat in the entire time period.
Data revision - policy
Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.
Data revision practice
The statistic follows the revision policy of national accounts, where year t-3 and t-2 are recalculated simultaneously with the calculation of year t-1. The revision of t-3 and t-2 are published at the same data as t-1.
In 2024, revisions have been made to this statistical time series, dating back to 2016. The revision changes the distribution of research funds between short-cycle higher education and medium- and long-cycle higher education. The revisions therefore have no effect on the total expenditure on education.