NUTS - Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics classification

The NUTS classification (Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics) is a hierarchical system for dividing up the economic territory of the EU for the purpose of:

a) The collection, development and harmonisation of European regional statistics;

b) Socio-economic analyses of the regions;

c) Framing of EU regional policies (e.g. cohesion policy).

The system is based on population thresholds and favours administrative division. The legal acts behind started with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 which specify stability of the classification for at least three years.