What are Employment Data?
Employment data are statistics that measure various aspects of the labor market, such as the number of people employed, unemployed, underemployed, or inactive; the level and distribution of wages and salaries; the characteristics and skills of workers; the types and quality of jobs available; and the policies and institutions that affect the functioning of the labor market.
Employment data are important for understanding the economic and social situation of a country or region, as well as for designing and evaluating policies and programs that aim to improve labor market outcomes and well-being for workers and their families. Employment data can also help identify gaps and challenges in the labor market, such as skills mismatches, labor shortages, discrimination, informality, or precariousness.
Employment data can be collected from various sources, such as household surveys, administrative records, employer surveys, or censuses. Each source has its own advantages and limitations in terms of coverage, frequency, timeliness, accuracy, and comparability. Therefore, it is essential to use appropriate methods and standards for collecting, processing, analyzing, and disseminating employment data.
One of the main sources of employment data at the international level is the Online OECD Employment Database, which provides comparable indicators on key labor market issues for OECD countries and selected non-OECD economies. The database covers topics such as employment and unemployment rates, labor force participation, employment by sector and occupation, hours worked, labor productivity, education and skills, wages and income inequality, labor market policies and institutions, and more. The database is updated regularly and can be accessed online or downloaded in various formats.
Employment data can also be found in other international databases, such as the International Labour Organization's (ILO) ILOSTAT, which provides statistics on a wide range of labor-related topics for over 200 countries and territories; the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which include indicators on employment, labor force structure, earnings, social protection, and gender; or the United Nations' UNdata, which offers a comprehensive portal to access statistical information from various UN agencies and other international organizations.
Employment data are essential for monitoring and analyzing the state of the labor market and its impact on economic and social development. By using reliable and comparable employment data, policymakers, researchers, employers, workers, and other stakeholders can make informed decisions and take effective actions to improve labor market performance and well-being for all.