Press release, 30.06.2025.
Statistical data supply is our common cause
The HCSO is enhancing its efforts toward improving respondents’ discipline
It is the role of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) to assist data-driven decision making in market- and specialised politics with up-to-date, exact and reliable data. It is imperative in producing exact and reliable information that economic organisations bound to supply statistical data comply with their obligation in a timely and full manner. The Office, in line with its legal powers, initiates administrative proceedings against the enterprises which time and time again are in default in fulfilling their obligations. Administrative penalties may be imposed during the procedure, at the same time awarding punishments is not the main purpose of the HCSO, rather the Office aims to enhance response propensity through cooperation with the economic organisations.
The decline of response propensity is not a domestic trend, rather a world-wide one, in spite of the fact that statistical data supply is a legal obligation of the enterprises concerned. Paragraphs 32-33 of Act CLV of 2016 on Official Statistics consider non-response and false response administrative offences and, as legal consequence, permit the imposing of administrative fine.
In the last period the HCSO initiated several administrative procedures against economic organisations which failed to adhere to their data supplying obligations. As a result of the procedures the overwhelming majority of these organisations made up for the arrears. Cooperation with respondents continues to be the primary goal of the HCSO, legal steps being the last resort in calling the attention of the enterprises, which time and time again are in default in fulfilling their obligations, to the importance of data supply.
“Imagine a puzzle which only could be completed if everyone supplies their own pieces. Statistical data collection is precisely like that: every response is necessary in drawing the exact picture” – highlighted Dr Áron Kincses, President of the HCSO. – “It is the duty of the Office to offer a comprehensive, reliable picture about the state of the country. Cooperation on behalf the parties involved is crucial for reaching this goal. It is not only their legal obligation, rather a common interest, impacting, after all, everyone’s life”.
The data supply process is up-to-date and may be completed electronically. The Office is assisting in several forms in completing the questionnaires: detailed guidelines are available, customer service, too, and technical assistance is within reach. Those responding before the deadline do not have to face legal consequences and are active part in the statistical process of reflecting the reality in a more precise manner, supporting substantiated economic and social policy decision-making.
Hungarian Central Statistical Office
H-1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly u. 5-7. Tel./Phone: (+36-1) 345-6000
Postacím/Postal address: P.O.Box 51 Budapest H-1525
http://www.ksh.hu