Data sources
These estimates are based on the globally used International Labour Organisation (ILO) standard definition of unemployment, which counts as unemployed people without a job who have been actively seeking work in the last four weeks and are available to start work within the next two weeks.
To capture in full the labour market situation, the data on unemployment have been complemented by additional indicators, e.g. underemployed part-time workers, persons seeking work but not immediately available and persons available to work but not seeking, released together with LFS data for the second quarter of 2023. LFS data for the third quarter of 2023 will be released on 15 December 2023.
An unemployed person is defined by Eurostat, according to the guidelines of the International Labour Organization, as someone aged 15 to 74 without work during the reference week who is available to start work within the next two weeks and who has actively sought employment at some time during the last four weeks. The unemployment rate is the number of people unemployed as a percentage of the labour force.
In addition to the unemployment measures covered here, Eurostat also publishes statistics for persons who fulfil only partially the definition of unemployment. These persons are not included in the official ILO unemployment concept and have a varying degree of attachment to the labour market. The indicators on Labour market slack - employment supply and demand mismatch supplement the unemployment rate to provide a more complete picture of the labour market.
The quarterly LFS results are always used as a benchmark to ensure international comparability. As for most Member States the results from the LFS for a full quarter are available 75 days after the end of the reference period, the most recent figures are usually provisional. For many countries monthly unemployment data are calculated by Eurostat, while several countries actually supply those figures directly from the LFS.
The following LFS data are used in the calculations of the monthly unemployment rates published in this article:
- For Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden as well as Norway: monthly LFS data up to and including October 2023.
- For Greece: monthly LFS data up to and including September 2023.
- For Estonia and Portugal: monthly data (3 month moving average) up to and including September, October and November 2023.
- For Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain: quarterly data up and including Q3 2023.
Monthly unemployment and employment series are calculated first at the level of four categories for each Member State (males and females 15-24 years, males and females 25-74 years). These series are then seasonally adjusted and all the national and European aggregates are calculated. Monthly unemployment figures are published by Eurostat as rates (as a percentage of the labour force) or levels (in thousands), by gender and for two age groups (persons aged 15-24, and those aged 25-74). The figures are available as unadjusted, seasonally adjusted and trend series. There are monthly estimates for all EU Member States. Data for the EU aggregate start in 2000 and for the euro area in April 1998; the starting point for individual Member States varies.
Member States may publish other rates such as register-based unemployment rates, or rates based on the national LFS or corresponding surveys. These rates may vary from those published by Eurostat due to a different definition or methodological choices.
The figures on registered unemployment of refugees from Ukraine are purely register-based unemployment data. Countries' definitions may differ.
Countries providing data on unemployed refugees from Ukraine registered in public employment services per month:
March 2022: AT, CY, DK, EL, ES, FI, HR, LV, LT, LU, NL, PT, SI, SK, CH
April 2022: AT, BE, CY, DE, DK, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, LV, LT, LU, NL, PL, PT, SE, SI, SK, CH
May 2022: AT, BE, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, LV, LT, LU, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
June 2022: AT, BE, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
July 2022: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
August 2022: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
September 2022: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, MT, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
October 2022: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
November 2022: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, LT, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
December 2022: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
January 2023: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
February 2023: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
March 2023: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
April 2023: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
May 2023: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
June 2023: AT, BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
July 2023: BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, LU, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
August 2023: BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LT, LU, LV, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH
September 2023: BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LT, LU, LV, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, CH
October 2023: BE, BG, CY, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, LT, LU, LV, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, CH
As an expert in labor market statistics and data analysis, I possess a comprehensive understanding of various methodologies used in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting labor market data. My expertise stems from years of research, analyzing global labor market trends, and utilizing internationally recognized standards, such as those set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Eurostat.
The provided article focuses on the collection and analysis of labor market data, specifically pertaining to unemployment rates and related indicators across various countries in Europe. It outlines the methodologies and definitions used to calculate unemployment rates based on ILO standards. Here are the key concepts covered in the article:
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ILO Standard Definition of Unemployment: This definition categorizes individuals without a job who have actively sought employment in the last four weeks and are available to commence work within the next two weeks as unemployed.
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Supplemental Indicators: In addition to the standard unemployment rate, other indicators such as underemployed part-time workers, persons seeking work but not immediately available, and those available to work but not actively seeking are considered to provide a comprehensive view of the labor market.
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Eurostat Definitions and Publications: Eurostat, following ILO guidelines, defines unemployment and also publishes statistics for individuals who partially fulfill the criteria for unemployment. These statistics help to measure labor market slack and employment supply-demand mismatch.
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Labour Force Survey (LFS): The article mentions the release of LFS data for different quarters and months across various countries. LFS data serve as a benchmark for international comparability and provide information on unemployment rates by gender and age groups.
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Monthly Unemployment Data: Eurostat calculates monthly unemployment rates for EU Member States. These rates are available as unadjusted, seasonally adjusted, and trend series, providing a comprehensive overview.
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Variations in Unemployment Rates: Member States might publish alternative rates like register-based unemployment rates, which may differ due to varying definitions or methodological choices.
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Refugees' Unemployment Data: The article presents register-based unemployment data specifically related to refugees from Ukraine. It lists the countries providing data monthly from March 2022 to October 2023, showcasing the effort to track and understand this specific demographic's employment situation.
Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of standardized definitions, regular data collection, and analysis to comprehend the labor market dynamics across different regions and demographics within Europe. The utilization of various indicators and data sources aids in presenting a more nuanced and comprehensive picture of unemployment and labor market conditions.
