Business cycle statistics for industry is a sample survey that collects information on the economic situation in Swedish industry. The sample consists of roughly 2 100 industrial enterprises. Statistics Sweden has been tasked by the Riksdag and the Government to provide a more comprehensive picture of the Swedish economy; the results of the survey contribute to this picture.

The information submitted to the survey provides a basis for statistics on industrial production, orders, turnover and capacity utilisation, information which is essential for illustrating the current economic situation. The users of the statistics are the National Institute of Economic Research, the Ministry of Finance, the Riksbank, trade organisations, the UN, the OECD, and the EU. These statistics are an important data source in national accounts and are used by Statistics Sweden to calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Every month Statistics Sweden sends a letter with login details for the relevant form.

The final date for reply is in the middle of the month. The final date is specified in the letter with your login details. However, the form is open for the entire month, in case corrections or supplements need to be made.

All enterprises submit information on net turnover broken down by customers in Sweden and customers abroad. Some enterprises need to distribute their net turnover by industrial operations, trade and services. Some enterprises also need to provide information about orders and/or capacity utilisation. In addition, some enterprises need to submit information on inventory in a separate form Industrial inventories.

Net turnover and orders are collected each month, while capacity utilisation is collected quarterly.

The final date for reply is in the middle of the month. The posted letter with login details contains the final dates for reply for each month.

Is the survey mandatory?

Yes, this survey forms parts of Official Statistics of Sweden, which means that it is mandatory to provide information pursuant to the Official Statistics Act (2001:99) and Statistics Sweden’s regulations (SCB-FS 2015:4).

What data must we submit?

Net turnover broken down by customers in Sweden and customers abroad. Some enterprises also submit net turnover broken down by industrial operations, trade and services. Some enterprises also submit orders and/or capacity utilisation.

Detailed description of requested information (PDF)

Which reporting period should we use?

Information on net turnover and orders refers to the entire specified month. You also have the option of submitting information for the last two months or to change information for these months that you have already submitted.

The information for capacity utilisation refers to an average during the specified quarter. You also have the option of submitting information for the two previous months or to change information for them that you have already submitted.

Is it acceptable to estimate the values?

If the requested information is not present in the enterprise’s reporting system and cannot be easily calculated, then it can be estimated.

Can we be granted respite to submit the information?

In exceptional cases, Statistics Sweden can grant respite for a limited time. Please contact us if you are not able to submit information on time.

For which parts of the enterprise should we submit information?

The form explains for which parts of the enterprise information is to be submitted. Often, information is requested for the entire enterprise, but enterprises with activities in different industries have been broken down into several activity units, and the form then refers to one activity unit. This is to ensure that the statistical presentation at the industry level will be reliable when the classification of industries is based on the Swedish Industrial Classification (corresponding to NACE 2007). The form explains which part of the enterprise the information refers to.

How should we report sales to customers within the same enterprise?

If the enterprise is divided into several activity units, customers may consist of another activity unit within the enterprise, to which the activity unit’s goods or services were sold. (For further information, see above For which parts of the enterprise should we submit information?.)

How can we amend/correct already submitted information?

Before submitting the form, you can save the data and log in and out as many times as you wish. Once you have submitted the form, you can amend/supplement the data for the periods that are open/selectable after login. A period is generally open for three months. Contact Statistics Sweden if you wish to revise older periods.

The enterprise’s operations have changed

Notify us of any changes in the enterprise’s operations, such as a transfer of operations, whether workplaces have been sold or taken over, bankruptcies or changes in industry affiliation. Notify us of this directly in the form, by e-mail or by telephone.

Information provided in the survey Business cycle statistics for industry provides a basis for statistics regarding

Production value index

Industrial Production Index

Industry, new orders and turnover

Industrial capacity utilisation

The results for the Industrial Production Index and Industry, new orders and turnover are published regularly about 35 days after the end of the month.

The results for Industrial capacity utilisation are published regularly about 45 days after the end of the month.

See each web page for information for the next publishing date.

The survey refers to enterprises within industry and only includes as many enterprises as are needed to produce good quality statistics. The sample for the survey is taken randomly and parts of the sample are renewed every year. This means that an enterprise usually takes part in the survey for several years. How long an enterprise will take part mainly depends on the industry and size of the enterprise. The largest enterprises in the industry always take part.

To be able to produce reliable statistics, it is very important that Statistics Sweden receive details in time from all the selected enterprises. An enterprise that is included in the survey cannot be replaced by another enterprise.

This survey is covered by the obligation to provide information, pursuant to the Official Statistics Act (2001:99) and Statistics Sweden’s regulations (SCB-FS 2015:4). This means that enterprises who do not provide information run the risk of an order of penalty payment. Consultation has taken place with the Board of Swedish Industry and Commerce for Better Regulation (NNR).

Data submitted to Statistics Sweden are protected by confidentiality pursuant to Chapter 24, Section 8 of the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (2009:400). The survey results are reported by industry, so it will not be possible to identify information specific to your enterprise.