Labour Force Survey 2019, 2nd quarter

The target group for the note is partly researchers who want to work with microdata from the Labor Force Survey (LFS), and partly users of LFS data who are interested in a more detailed discussion of variables, definitions and data quality.

The purpose of the survey is to provide information on developments in employment and unemployment, and on the connection of different population groups to the labor market. In addition to providing the authorities and other interested information on the state and development of the labor market, LFS should serve as a basis for forecasts and studies and provide statistical material for the research. A large number of variables are included in the material. In addition to the demographic, there can be mentioned level of education, occupation, industry, agreed and actual working hours, various working time schemes, permanent / temporary employment, working conditions and employment.

LFS covers all persons aged 15-74 years registered as residents in Norway. Prior to 2006, the age group was 16-74 years, defined as age at the end of the year. From 2006, age is defined as full years at the reference dates for the survey. At the same time, the age limit for joining the committee was lowered to 15 years.

The survey does not include employees in Norway who commute from abroad, nor do employees in Norway who stay in the country for less than half a year.

On the basis of the national register, a number of family units consisting of a total of 24,000 persons (per quarter) are randomly extracted in the relevant age group. Each family member at this age is interviewed about their association with the labor market for a specified reference week, and participates in the survey a total of 8 times during 8 consecutive quarters.

Interview takes place by phone. Some information provided in previous interviews is used in subsequent interviews. Task giver is basically the same as the observation unit, but in 14-15 per cent of cases data is collected through indirect interviews, ie by responses from close family members.

The size of the dropout percentage as a percentage of the gross sample has varied greatly since LFS started in 1972. In the first 20 years it was generally around 10-12 per cent. In the years 1992-1997 it was particularly low, only 6-8 per cent, and then gradually increase to around 20 per cent from 2012. LFS is formally subject to liability, but compulsory fines are not practiced.

It is adjusted for total dropout by estimation. Individual questions that have not been answered are imputed to some key characteristics according to a set of rules (machine imputation). For more detailed documentation, see Statistics Norway's Notes 1993/34.

In selecting key concepts and definitions, Statistics Norway (SSB) has emphasized following the recommendations made by the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the preparation of labor market statistics. In addition, Norway participates in EU statistics cooperation, and is obliged to fulfill the requirements set by Eurostat (the EU Statistics Office) on the content of the LFS.

According to the international recommendations, people over a certain age should be classified according to their association with the labor market over a specified, short period, either a week or a day. For the Norwegian LFS, Statistics Norway has chosen the time period one week as a reference for information on those who are members of the committee.