Economic Classifications: Methodology and Application – Introduction

Economic classifications: methodology and application – Introduction - 2026

Course Leader

Matthias FLOHR

• Any statistician of a National Statistical Institute (including newcomers) dealing with any statistical domain and wishing to understand better the system of classifications used

• Sound command of English. Participants should be able to make short interventions and to actively participate in discussions.

• The course should provide participants with a better understanding of the underlying principles and concepts of European and international economic classifications, their content and use.

• Basic principles of classifications
• International system of linked economic classifications and family of international economic classifications
• Legal aspects of European classifications
• International and European economic classifications:
• NACE Rev. 2.1 and ISIC Rev. 5
• CPA Version 2.2 and CPC Version 3.0
• Harmonised System, Combined Nomenclature, PRODCOM
• Overview of other classifications:
• Functional/purpose classifications: COICOP 2018 and ECOICOP version 2, , COFOG
• ISCO, ISCED etc.
• Interpretation and classification guidelines and rules

• Tools and sources: ShowVoc, CIRCABC, the UN classification registry and other classification databases

• Participants will be familiarized with statistical classifications with emphasis on economic classifications, their correspondences and their applications.

• Improved knowledge and understanding of the main issues related to classifications and their use.

• Presentations and lectures
• Exchange of views/experiences on national practices
• Exercises

Required Reading 

Introductory guidelines of the NACE Rev. 2.1 publication: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-manuals-and-guidelines/w/ks-gq-24-007

• Participants are required to write a short summary of their own activity as well as that of the organisation regarding practices, problems and experiences in the area of NACE, CPA or other classification. The daily problems and examples they raise are important for the discussion in the course. The course participants are requested to submit their mandatory summary by 31 March 2026 in a timely manner.
• Bring your institution notebook

Eurostat Classification and Linked Data Team

Further lecturers from other Eurostat units to be confirmed.