Definition: Structure of earnings survey (SES)

Category: Living conditions

The European Structure of  Earnings Survey (SES) provides detailed  information  on the level and  structure of remuneration of employees, their individual characteristics and the enterprise or local unit to which they belong. It is a 4-yearly survey conducted under Council Regulation 530/1999 and Commission Regulation 1916/2000. The SES outcome represents an uniquely rich data source on gross earnings in Europe which is increasingly important for evidence-based  policy making, in particular for monitoring economic growth and social cohesion. Furthermore, the SES data are indispensable for employers and employees as regards the demand and supply of labour. Council Regulation 530/1999 concerning structural statistics on earnings and on labour costsCommission Regulation 1916/2000: Definition and transmission of information on structure of earningsStatistics Explained, a distinct section of the official Eurostat website presenting all statistical topics in an easily understandable way, Glossary