Methods are provided for data processing in a multi-threaded processing arrangement. The methods include receiving a data processing task to be executed on data including a plurality of data records, the data having an associated record description including information relating to parameters or attributes of the plurality of data records. Based on the received data processing task, the record description is analyzed to determine an indication of expected workload for the data records. Further, the data is divided into a plurality of data sets. Based on the determined indication of expected workload for the data records, the data sets are allocated processing threads for parallel processing by a multi-threaded processing arrangement.