CENTRAAL BUREAU VOOR DE STATISTIEK

Their core work

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) is the Dutch national statistics office, responsible for producing official statistics on the economy, society, and environment of the Netherlands. In H2020 projects, CBS contributes large-scale statistical data infrastructure, survey methodology, and advanced data science capabilities to European research consortia. Their role typically involves providing access to high-quality national datasets, developing new statistical frameworks (such as natural capital accounting or well-being indicators), and applying data mining and AI techniques to extract insights from complex, multi-source data.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CBS's early H2020 work (2015–2018) centered on traditional statistical domains: social demographics (FamilyComplexity), bioeconomy monitoring (BioMonitor), environmental measurement, and well-being frameworks. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted markedly toward digital methods — trustworthy AI (TAILOR), data science and optimization (NeEDS), and data mining for disease surveillance (VEO). This evolution mirrors a broader institutional transition from classical statistical production toward AI-augmented data analysis and new application domains like public health intelligence.

CBS is actively building AI and data science capabilities on top of its statistical foundations, making it an increasingly relevant partner for projects that need trustworthy, large-scale data analysis.

How they like to work

CBS operates exclusively as a participant — it has not coordinated any H2020 project, consistent with its role as a national statistics office that contributes data and methodology rather than driving research agendas. With 195 unique partners across 33 countries in just 10 projects, CBS joins large, broad consortia where its statistical infrastructure and national datasets add value. This makes them a reliable, low-maintenance partner who delivers specific data contributions without competing for scientific leadership.

CBS has collaborated with 195 unique partners across 33 countries through 10 projects, indicating it consistently joins large pan-European consortia. Their network spans well beyond Western Europe, reflecting the broad geographic scope of the research and coordination actions they participate in.

What sets them apart

CBS brings something most research partners cannot: access to authoritative, nationally representative datasets combined with the methodological rigor of an official statistics office. Unlike universities or research institutes, CBS data carries institutional credibility for policy-relevant research. Their recent investment in AI and data science means they can now offer both the data and the modern analytical tools to work with it — a combination that is rare among public bodies.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FamilyComplexity
  By far their largest grant (EUR 834K) — an ERC Advanced Grant studying intergenerational solidarity, indicating CBS's population data is valued at the highest level of European research excellence.
• TAILOR
  Signals CBS's strategic move into trustworthy AI, positioning the national statistics office at the intersection of official data and machine learning.
• VEO
  Unexpected domain expansion — a statistics bureau contributing data mining and citizen science methods to emerging infectious disease surveillance (EUR 345K).