Archive:Labour market participation statistics

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Data from January and March 2013. Most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.

This article presents statistics on the levels of participation in the labour market for the European Union (EU), showing an increase of the active population between 2000 and 2011. Data are also broken down by gender, age and educational attainment.

The analysis below is based on data collected by the EU Labour force survey (EU LFS).

Figure 1: Activity rates (persons aged 15-64), EU-27, 2000-2011 (%)
Source: Eurostat (lfsi_act_a)

Table 1: Active population and activity rates by sex and age (persons aged 15-64), 2011
Source: Eurostat (lfsi_act_a)

Figure 2: Inactivity rates of prime-aged people by level of education (persons aged 25-54), 2011 (%)
Source: Eurostat (lfsa_argaed)

Figure 3: Main reason for not seeking employment (persons aged 25-54), EU-27, 2011 (1) (2) (% of inactive population)
Source: Eurostat (lfsa_igar)

Main statistical findings

The activity rate is the share of the population that is economically active. Economic activity is measured only for persons aged 15 years or older. The economically active population (labour force) comprises both employed and unemployed persons. The labour force also includes people who were not at work but had a job or business from which they were temporarily absent, for example, because of illness, holidays, industrial disputes, education or training.

Since 2000, the share of the active population in the total population of working age has grown from 68.6 % to 71.2 % in 2011 in the EU-27, as Figure 1 shows.

Activity rates remain highest among men (77.6 %), as well as among those aged 25 to 54 (85.0 %). A more detailed analysis of activity rates by gender and age is provided in Table 1.

Labour market participation and educational attainment

The educational level of attainment also represents a relevant factor in terms of labour market participation. Persons attaining a low educational level are more likely to be inactive. In contrast, achievement levels have a major impact, both personally and professionally, on the quality of life and job opportunities.

In 2011 and for the whole EU-27, the inactivity rate of persons in the prime working age group 25-54 who had attained a low educational level (i.e. less than lower secondary) was 26.4 %, and 13.7 % for persons with a medium educational level (at least lower secondary level, but less than tertiary), as compared to 7.9 % for persons with a high (i.e. tertiary) level (see Figure 2).

Data sources and availability

The main data source for labour market statistics is the EU Labour Force Survey (EU LFS). The EU LFS provides information on labour market participation. The target population of the EU LFS are resident persons living in private households. The survey defines persons in employment as those aged 15 and over, who, during the reference week, performed some work, even for just one hour per week, for pay, profit or family gain.

Respondents can be classified as economically active (all persons employed and all those who are unemployed) or economically inactive based on information collected through the survey questionnaire, which mainly relates to their actual activity during a particular reference week.

Context

Employment and other labour market-related issues are at the heart of the social and political debate in the EU. The EU’s workforce is shrinking as a result of demographic changes. A smaller number of workers are thus supporting a growing number of dependent people.

Activity rates in the EU are consistently higher for men than for women and are generally highest for people aged 30 to 49. The main reason why men and women around 20 years of age do not seek employment is because they are participating in education or training. On the other hand, people aged 50 or over slowly start dropping out of the labour market because of poor health or retirement. The low activity rates of 15 to 19 year olds due to participation in education or training.

Further Eurostat information

Data visualisation

Regional Statistics Illustrated - select statistical domain 'Labour market' (top right)

Publications

European social statistics - Pocketbook, 2013 edition
Labour market statistics, 2011

Main tables

Employment and unemployment (Labour Force Survey) (t_employ), see:

LFS main indicators (t_lfsi)

Population, activity and inactivity - LFS adjusted series (t_lfsi_act)

Database

Employment and unemployment (Labour Force Survey) (employ), see:

LFS main indicators (lfsi)

Population, activity and inactivity - LFS adjusted series (lfsi_act)

LFS series - Detailed quarterly survey results (from 1998) (lfsq)

Activity and activity rates - LFS series (lfsq_act)

LFS series - Detailed annual survey results (lfsa)

Activity and activity rates - LFS series (lfsa_act)

Dedicated section

Employment and unemployment (LFS)

Methodology / Metadata

Population, activity and inactivity - annual averages (ESMS metadata file — lfsi_act_a_esms)