The 8th edition of the Eurostat yearbook offers a wide choice of harmonised and comparable data on the European Union, the euro-zone and the Member States. The candidate countries and principal non-European nations are also given prominence in the 2003 edition. This year, the Yearbook will be available as a combined paper and CD-ROM edition that offers the traditional benefits of printed material as well as the convenience of electronic data. The CD-ROM has considerable content (1000 tables), about two thirds of which are not available in the paper version, and it allows you to extract data to create your own customised tables. An electronic version (PDF-format) of the Yearbook, with the same content as the printed version, can be downloaded free of charge from Eurostat's Internet web site.

Two new chapters

· A study on the Yearbook has identified, as a primary use of the Yearbook, "a first access to general information about European statistics". To facilitate this general access, the Yearbook team this year introduces "The European Union in the global context". It is a chapter that shows the EU's position in the world, often compared to the USA and Japan. It will look at the EU as one entity, not broken down by Member States.

· From the 2003 edition onwards, the Eurostat yearbook will contain a chapter "In the spotlight:…" relating to a different, important topic each year. In 2003, this will be the "Candidate countries".

Advantages for users

· The publication offers objective information on the development and current situation of the European Union.

· Provides a first level of information on EU-related questions.- Is an initial supplement to other European data and publications.

· Provides a view of the situation of the candidate countries.

· Compiles in a single work the principal data on the European Union.

· Provides a wide range of comparable data