Source

Name of collection/source Data are compiled from the Monthly Household Labour Force Survey (Current Population Survey). Each month about 60 000 households are interviewed for the Survey taken in the week including the 19th of the month in which survey respondents are asked about their labour force status in the week including the 12th of the month.

Characteristics

Reference period Annual data are averages of monthly figures.

Scope

Population coverage Data refer to the civilian resident non-institutional population aged 16 years and older who are not inmates of penal or mental institutions, sanatoriums or homes for the aged, infirm or needy. The survey also covers the civilian resident non-institutional population living in collective households which is sampled separately. Data exclude Puerto Rico, American Samoa Guam, The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNM) and US Virgin Islands.

Other Aspects

Quality comments Series breaks: Data for 2000 are not strictly comparable with data for previous years due to the inclusion of population controls based on the 2000 decennial census into the estimation process. 1997, 1998 and 1999 data are not strictly comparable with data for previous years due to the introduction of revised population controls. From 1998, data reflect the introduction of a new composite estimation procedure for the Current Population Survey. Data for 1994 are not directly comparable with those for previous years, due to a major redesign of both the Current Population Survey questionnaire and the collection methodology. The redesign of the questionnaire includes the introduction of interviews of dependents, information on prior job search and current availability resulting in a lower proportion of unemployed during a period shorter than 5 weeks and an increased proportion of unemployed for a period of 15 weeks and over. Due to the introduction of the 1990 population census adjusted for an estimated population undercount, data from 1990 onwards are not directly comparable with those for previous years. Several modifications were introduced to the estimation procedures in 1986, 1985, 1983, 1982, 1979, 1978 and 1974. In January 1967, the lower age limit for official statistics of the labour force, employment and unemployment was raised from 14 to 16 years of age. Definitional changes were also introduced at that time. Several modifications have been implemented to include increased populations from new States and areas (inclusion of Alaska, Hawaii in 1960) and regular adjustments have been made after each of the decennial censuses.

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Related Metadata:

All Higher Levels Main Economic Indicators