Statistical Approaches to Estimate Sectoral Economic Aggregates

In the near future, the statistical estimation of the value added of leading business groups in Europe and of large complex units could become a source for the preliminary estimates of GDP at a European level, or be used for the further development of existing indicators of European growth. However, it is often challenging to produce such data, because in standard accounting formats the distinction between national and foreign activities is not always requested. The following case studies explain how it is possible to solve some of the problems that arise when trying to calculate group accounts that are useful for establishing aggregate statistical indicators, starting from the accounts of the individual companies and branches. The chosen solution method depends on the availability of data concerning foreign production (in particular for enterprises involved in the construction field and those operating in Internet), accounting criteria used in certain countries, and vertical integration: when some of these are unavailable, it may result in a particular method being chosen over another. As highlighted in the European System of Accounts in Eurostat (2010), the centre of predominant economic interest of an enterprise indicates that a location exists where this unit engages in economic activities and transactions on a significant scale within a country's economic territory. Some statistical, fiscal and administrative sources are outlined that can be used to sketch the domestic economic performance of the main enterprises carrying out activities abroad. The paper provides robust statistical methods regarding the utilization of such sources.