Labour force surveyLFS
Description
This survey aims to observe both structural and cyclical situation of the labour market.
It is the only source that provides a measurement of the concepts of activity, unemployment,
employment and inactivity according to the International Labour Organization (ILO)
definition.
It is part of the Labour Force Surveys (LFS) defined by the European Union.
History
The French Labour Force Survey was established in 1950 to provide a regular measure
of employment and unemployment.
Over the decades, the survey has incorporated numerous changes of various kinds: changes
in questionnaire and concept (in particular to comply with the guidelines of the International
Labour Office (ILO) and of Eurostat), but also methodological developments on sampling
methods and non-response processing, or technical improvements on collection methods,
computerization of data processing, etc.
The main recent developments are as follows:
- From 2003 onwards, the annual French Labour Force Survey in metropolitan France
becomes continuous; it is conducted every week of the year;
- In 2009, its sample has been gradually increased by 50%;
- In 2013, the questionnaire has been redesigned to facilitate the handover, particularly
over the telephone, improve the coding of occupation and diploma, improve knowledge
of the labour market with the introduction of new questions and comply with Eurostat
guidelines on some indicators (training, halo around unemployment);
- From 2014, the French overseas departments (excluding Mayotte) have joined the continuous
employment survey process.
Documentation par millésimes
- Labour force survey 2018
- Labour force survey 2017
- Labour force survey 2016
- Labour force survey 2015
- Labour force survey 2014
- Labour force survey 2013
- Labour force survey 2012
- Labour force survey 2011
Replaces
Type of operation
Legal owner
- Department of Demographic and Social Statistics
Frequency of data collection
- Localised unemployment rates (by region, department and employment area)
- Labour market indicators (unemployment as defined by the ILO)