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Search Eurostat Datasets

eurostat_search_datasets
Read-onlyIdempotent

Search the Eurostat catalogue by keyword. Returns matching datasets with codes, descriptions, period coverage, and theme breadcrumbs. Use this to discover dataset codes before calling eurostat_get_dataset_info, then eurostat_query_dataset for a slice of a dataset or eurostat_download_dataset for the whole of one. Results are limited to datasets and predefined tables — folders are excluded. The catalogue joins two sources: the dissemination table of contents, and the Comext host's dataflow list, which adds the DS-* collections — detailed trade by CN8, HS, SITC, BEC and CPA, and PRODCOM — filed under "International trade in goods - detailed data (Comext)" and "Statistics on the production of manufactured goods (PRODCOM)". Comext entries report a last-update date but no period coverage or observation count. A collection on neither list, such as the legacy PRODCOM DS-056120, is not disseminated and cannot be reached through this server.

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
limitNoPage size — maximum datasets returned per page. Default 20; positive integers above 100 are clamped to 100 with a notice. To retrieve matches beyond one page, pass the returned nextCursor back as cursor; the page size is fixed by this first call and limit is ignored on cursor calls.
queryYesSearch terms — at least one non-whitespace token is required. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Spacing beside punctuation in the catalogue is ignored, so "Rev.2" also finds "Rev. 2" and "2015=100" finds "2015 = 100"; a token keeps its own punctuation, as in "R&D", "non-EU", or "DS-045409". Word order does not matter, so "business demography NUTS 3" or "regional economic accounts" resolve without naming a label verbatim. When nothing matches, the error names each word whose removal alone would find matches or, when no single removal would and both catalogue sources were searched, the words that match no dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code.
cursorNoOpaque pagination cursor from a previous call's nextCursor. Omit for the first page; pass it back — with the same query — to fetch the next page of matches over a stable order. A cursor is bound to the query that produced it and to the catalogue snapshot in effect at that time, so reusing one with a different query, or after the catalogue refreshes, is rejected rather than silently paging a different result set.

Output Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
errorNoPresent when the call failed. Absent on success.
queryNoSearch terms as submitted.
noticeNoNames each part of the catalogue this answer is missing — the Comext collections, or updates since a refresh failed — and what to do about it. Omitted when the whole catalogue answered.
datasetsNoMatching datasets for the current page, up to the requested limit.
nextStepNoSuggested next action based on these results. Populated when there is a clear follow-up call.
truncatedNoTrue when more matches remain beyond this page — pass nextCursor as cursor to fetch them.
nextCursorNoOpaque cursor for the next page of matches. Pass it back as cursor with the same query; it stops working once the catalogue refreshes. Omitted on the last page.
totalMatchesNoTotal distinct dataset codes matching the query across all pages, before the page limit.
catalogueLoadedAtNoWhen the catalogue that answered was loaded (ISO 8601). Present only when a refresh failed and that older copy is still in service; omitted otherwise.
comextListMissingNoTrue when the Comext dataflow list could not be loaded, so the DS-* collections (detailed trade and PRODCOM) were not searched and totalMatches counts the dissemination table of contents alone. Omitted when both sources were searched.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed2 schema fields changed
    • changedInput schema / properties / query / description
      Previous value: -"Search terms — at least one non-whitespace token is required. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Spacing beside punctuation in the catalogue is ignored, so \"Rev.2\" also finds \"Rev. 2\" and \"2015=100\" finds \"2015 = 100\"; a token keeps its own punctuation, as in \"R&D\", \"non-EU\", or \"DS-045409\". Word order does not matter, so \"business demography NUTS 3\" or \"regional economic accounts\" resolve without naming a label verbatim. When nothing matches, the error names each word whose removal alone would find matches."New value: +"Search terms — at least one non-whitespace token is required. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Spacing beside punctuation in the catalogue is ignored, so \"Rev.2\" also finds \"Rev. 2\" and \"2015=100\" finds \"2015 = 100\"; a token keeps its own punctuation, as in \"R&D\", \"non-EU\", or \"DS-045409\". Word order does not matter, so \"business demography NUTS 3\" or \"regional economic accounts\" resolve without naming a label verbatim. When nothing matches, the error names each word whose removal alone would find matches or, when no single removal would and both catalogue sources were searched, the words that match no dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code."
    • changedOutput schema / properties / error / properties / data / properties / reason / description
      Previous value: -"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `no_match`: No datasets matched the query string — including a query naming a DS-* code that neither the dissemination table of contents nor the Comext dataflow list carries, which is a collection Eurostat does not disseminate, and any query while the Comext dataflow list cannot be loaded and only the table of contents is searched. `invalid_cursor`: The cursor is malformed, came from a different query, or came from a catalogue snapshot that has since refreshed. `upstream_fault`: The server had no catalogue loaded yet, and Eurostat's table of contents answered HTTP 5xx or could not be reached on every retry, which the error marks retryable. Once a catalogue is loaded, a failed refresh serves that copy instead. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."New value: +"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `no_match`: No datasets matched the query string — including a query naming a DS-* code that neither the dissemination table of contents nor the Comext dataflow list carries, which is a collection Eurostat does not disseminate, and any query while the Comext dataflow list cannot be loaded and only the table of contents is searched. `invalid_cursor`: The cursor is malformed, came from a different query, or came from a catalogue snapshot that has since refreshed. `upstream_fault`: The server had no catalogue loaded yet, and Eurostat's table of contents answered HTTP 501, which is not retried; or it answered another HTTP 5xx or could not be reached on every retry, which the error marks retryable. Once a catalogue is loaded, a failed refresh serves that copy instead. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."
  2. Changed4 schema fields changed
    • changedInput schema / properties / limit / description
      Previous value: -"Page size — maximum datasets returned per page (1–100). Default is 20. To retrieve matches beyond one page, pass the returned nextCursor back as cursor; the page size is fixed by this first call."New value: +"Page size — maximum datasets returned per page. Default 20; positive integers above 100 are clamped to 100 with a notice. To retrieve matches beyond one page, pass the returned nextCursor back as cursor; the page size is fixed by this first call and limit is ignored on cursor calls."
    • removedInput schema / properties / limit / maximum
      Removed value: -100
    • addedInput schema / properties / limit / multipleOf
      Added value: +1
    • changedInput schema / properties / limit / type
      Previous value: -"integer"New value: +"number"
  3. Changed6 schema fields changed
    • changedInput schema / properties / query / description
      Previous value: -"Search terms — at least one non-whitespace token is required. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Word order does not matter, so \"business demography NUTS 3\" or \"regional economic accounts\" resolve without naming a label verbatim."New value: +"Search terms — at least one non-whitespace token is required. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Spacing beside punctuation in the catalogue is ignored, so \"Rev.2\" also finds \"Rev. 2\" and \"2015=100\" finds \"2015 = 100\"; a token keeps its own punctuation, as in \"R&D\", \"non-EU\", or \"DS-045409\". Word order does not matter, so \"business demography NUTS 3\" or \"regional economic accounts\" resolve without naming a label verbatim. When nothing matches, the error names each word whose removal alone would find matches."
    • addedOutput schema / properties / catalogueLoadedAt
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "When the catalogue that answered was loaded (ISO 8601). Present only when a refresh failed and that older copy is still in service; omitted otherwise.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / comextListMissing
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "True when the Comext dataflow list could not be loaded, so the DS-* collections (detailed trade and PRODCOM) were not searched and totalMatches counts the dissemination table of contents alone. Omitted when both sources were searched.",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
    • changedOutput schema / properties / error / properties / data / properties / reason / description
      Previous value: -"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `no_match`: No datasets matched the query string — including a query naming a DS-* code that neither the dissemination table of contents nor the Comext dataflow list carries, which is a collection Eurostat does not disseminate. `invalid_cursor`: The cursor is malformed, came from a different query, or came from a catalogue snapshot that has since refreshed. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."New value: +"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `no_match`: No datasets matched the query string — including a query naming a DS-* code that neither the dissemination table of contents nor the Comext dataflow list carries, which is a collection Eurostat does not disseminate, and any query while the Comext dataflow list cannot be loaded and only the table of contents is searched. `invalid_cursor`: The cursor is malformed, came from a different query, or came from a catalogue snapshot that has since refreshed. `upstream_fault`: The server had no catalogue loaded yet, and Eurostat's table of contents answered HTTP 5xx or could not be reached on every retry, which the error marks retryable. Once a catalogue is loaded, a failed refresh serves that copy instead. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."
    • changedOutput schema / properties / error / properties / data / properties / reason / examples
      Previous value: -[
      -  "no_match",
      -  "invalid_cursor"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "no_match",
      +  "invalid_cursor",
      +  "upstream_fault"
      +]
    • addedOutput schema / properties / notice
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Names each part of the catalogue this answer is missing — the Comext collections, or updates since a refresh failed — and what to do about it. Omitted when the whole catalogue answered.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
  4. Changed1 schema field changed
    • changedOutput schema / properties / error / properties / data / properties / reason / description
      Previous value: -"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `no_match`: No datasets matched the query string. `invalid_cursor`: The cursor is malformed, came from a different query, or came from a catalogue snapshot that has since refreshed. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."New value: +"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `no_match`: No datasets matched the query string — including a query naming a DS-* code that neither the dissemination table of contents nor the Comext dataflow list carries, which is a collection Eurostat does not disseminate. `invalid_cursor`: The cursor is malformed, came from a different query, or came from a catalogue snapshot that has since refreshed. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."
  5. Changed6 schema fields changed
    • changedInput schema / $schema
      Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
    • addedInput schema / additionalProperties
      Added value: +false
    • changedOutput schema / $schema
      Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
    • addedOutput schema / anyOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "not": {
      +      "required": [
      +        "error"
      +      ]
      +    },
      +    "required": [
      +      "datasets",
      +      "query",
      +      "totalMatches",
      +      "truncated"
      +    ]
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "required": [
      +      "error"
      +    ]
      +  }
      +]
    • addedOutput schema / properties / error
      Added value: +{
      +  "additionalProperties": {},
      +  "description": "Present when the call failed. Absent on success.",
      +  "properties": {
      +    "code": {
      +      "description": "JSON-RPC error code for this failure.",
      +      "maximum": 9007199254740991,
      +      "minimum": -9007199254740991,
      +      "type": "integer"
      +    },
      +    "data": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "properties": {
      +        "reason": {
      +          "description": "Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `no_match`: No datasets matched the query string. `invalid_cursor`: The cursor is malformed, came from a different query, or came from a catalogue snapshot that has since refreshed. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler.",
      +          "examples": [
      +            "no_match",
      +            "invalid_cursor"
      +          ],
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        "recovery": {
      +          "additionalProperties": {},
      +          "description": "Actionable next step for the caller.",
      +          "properties": {
      +            "hint": {
      +              "type": "string"
      +            }
      +          },
      +          "required": [
      +            "hint"
      +          ],
      +          "type": "object"
      +        },
      +        "retryable": {
      +          "description": "Whether retrying may succeed.",
      +          "type": "boolean"
      +        }
      +      },
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "message": {
      +      "description": "Human-readable description of what went wrong.",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    }
      +  },
      +  "required": [
      +    "code",
      +    "message"
      +  ],
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
    • removedOutput schema / required
      Removed value: -[
      -  "datasets",
      -  "query",
      -  "totalMatches",
      -  "truncated"
      -]
  6. Changed1 schema field changed
    • changedOutput schema / properties / datasets / items / properties / code / description
      Previous value: -"Dataset code (e.g., \"nama_10_gdp\"). Use this in eurostat_get_dataset_info and eurostat_query_dataset."New value: +"Dataset code (e.g., \"nama_10_gdp\"). Use this in eurostat_get_dataset_info, eurostat_query_dataset, and eurostat_download_dataset."
  7. Changed6 schema fields changed
    • changedInput schema / properties / cursor / description
      Previous value: -"Opaque pagination cursor from a previous call's nextCursor. Omit for the first page; pass it back to fetch the next page of matches over a stable order."New value: +"Opaque pagination cursor from a previous call's nextCursor. Omit for the first page; pass it back — with the same query — to fetch the next page of matches over a stable order. A cursor is bound to the query that produced it and to the catalogue snapshot in effect at that time, so reusing one with a different query, or after the catalogue refreshes, is rejected rather than silently paging a different result set."
    • changedInput schema / properties / query / description
      Previous value: -"Search terms. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Word order does not matter, so \"business demography NUTS 3\" or \"regional economic accounts\" resolve without naming a label verbatim."New value: +"Search terms — at least one non-whitespace token is required. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Word order does not matter, so \"business demography NUTS 3\" or \"regional economic accounts\" resolve without naming a label verbatim."
    • addedInput schema / properties / query / pattern
      Added value: +"\\S"
    • changedOutput schema / properties / datasets / items / properties / themePath / description
      Previous value: -"Breadcrumb path from root theme to this dataset (e.g., [\"Economy and finance\", \"National accounts\"]). Empty for top-level entries."New value: +"Breadcrumb path from root theme to this dataset (e.g., [\"Database by themes\", \"Economy and finance\"]). Eurostat files some datasets under several branches; this is the first branch that matched the query. Empty for top-level entries."
    • changedOutput schema / properties / nextCursor / description
      Previous value: -"Opaque cursor for the next page of matches. Pass it back as cursor. Omitted on the last page."New value: +"Opaque cursor for the next page of matches. Pass it back as cursor with the same query; it stops working once the catalogue refreshes. Omitted on the last page."
    • changedOutput schema / properties / totalMatches / description
      Previous value: -"Total datasets matching the query across all pages, before the page limit."New value: +"Total distinct dataset codes matching the query across all pages, before the page limit."
  8. Changed9 schema fields changed
    • addedInput schema / properties / cursor
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Opaque pagination cursor from a previous call's nextCursor. Omit for the first page; pass it back to fetch the next page of matches over a stable order.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / limit / description
      Previous value: -"Maximum number of results to return (1–100). Default is 20."New value: +"Page size — maximum datasets returned per page (1–100). Default is 20. To retrieve matches beyond one page, pass the returned nextCursor back as cursor; the page size is fixed by this first call."
    • changedInput schema / properties / query / description
      Previous value: -"Search terms — case-insensitive substring match against dataset labels."New value: +"Search terms. Split on whitespace into tokens; every token must match (AND), case-insensitively, somewhere across the dataset label, theme breadcrumb, or code. Word order does not matter, so \"business demography NUTS 3\" or \"regional economic accounts\" resolve without naming a label verbatim."
    • changedOutput schema / properties / datasets / description
      Previous value: -"Matching datasets, up to the requested limit."New value: +"Matching datasets for the current page, up to the requested limit."
    • addedOutput schema / properties / nextCursor
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Opaque cursor for the next page of matches. Pass it back as cursor. Omitted on the last page.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / nextStep
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Suggested next action based on these results. Populated when there is a clear follow-up call.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • changedOutput schema / properties / totalMatches / description
      Previous value: -"Total datasets matching the query before the limit."New value: +"Total datasets matching the query across all pages, before the page limit."
    • addedOutput schema / properties / truncated
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "True when more matches remain beyond this page — pass nextCursor as cursor to fetch them.",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
    • changedOutput schema / required
      Previous value: -[
      -  "datasets",
      -  "query",
      -  "totalMatches"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "datasets",
      +  "query",
      +  "totalMatches",
      +  "truncated"
      +]
  9. Changed3 schema fields changed
    • addedOutput schema / properties / query
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Search terms as submitted.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • changedOutput schema / properties / totalMatches / description
      Previous value: -"Total number of datasets matching the query before the limit is applied."New value: +"Total datasets matching the query before the limit."
    • changedOutput schema / required
      Previous value: -[
      -  "datasets",
      -  "totalMatches"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "datasets",
      +  "query",
      +  "totalMatches"
      +]
  10. First observed

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already establish readOnly, idempotent, and open-world behavior, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds real context beyond that: the catalogue is a union of the dissemination table of contents and the Comext dataflow list, and Comext entries report a last-update date but no period coverage or observation count. It does not, however, describe how the search behaves on empty results beyond a brief mention tucked into the schema, which limits the added value here.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Front-loaded with purpose, then workflow, then data-source caveats, which is the right order for an agent. The final paragraph on Comext and PRODCOM collections is dense and longer than strictly necessary for tool selection, though it does help interpret result fields.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

An output schema exists, so return values need not be re-explained. The description covers what is and is not searchable, the two-source catalogue composition, and the missing-field caveat for Comext entries — everything an agent needs to call this correctly and interpret gaps in the response.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents query tokenization, the limit clamp, and cursor binding in detail. The description contributes only the high-level notion of keyword search and does not extend parameter meaning beyond what the schema states. Baseline 3 applies when the schema carries this much detail.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

States a specific verb and resource ("Search the Eurostat catalogue by keyword") and immediately distinguishes from siblings by naming eurostat_get_dataset_info, eurostat_query_dataset, and eurostat_download_dataset. It also scopes what is returned (datasets and predefined tables, folders excluded) and what is returned per match (codes, descriptions, period coverage, theme breadcrumbs).

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Explicitly prescribes a workflow: use this first to discover dataset codes, then get_dataset_info, then query_dataset for a slice or download_dataset for the whole. It also states exclusions — folders are not returned, and collections absent from both catalogue sources (e.g. legacy PRODCOM DS-056120) cannot be reached through this server.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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