Estimating consistent table sets: position paper on repeated weighting

Statistics Netherlands is presently making a considerable effort in combining data from administrative sources with, mainly household, survey data. By making efficient use of register data, Statistics Netherlands intends to improve the accuracy of its statistical information, and, at the same time, to decrease the response burden on households. The resulting large micro dataset with combined data is called the 'Social Statistical Database' (SSD); estimates related to social statistics are obtained from this SSD. Preferably, these estimates should be numerically consistent, although they might be obtained from different sources. At Statistics Netherlands, a new estimation method has been developed which, under certain conditions, ensures numerically consistent table sets. This method is called 'repeated weighting', and is based on a repeated use of the regression estimator. In the present paper we describe this new estimation method.