j.vanderValk@cbs.nl

From Labour Force Survey to Labour Market Statistics

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policies of

Statistics Netherlands

Digital revolution is going on

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‘Big’ Data

31 Exabyte= 1018 B= (GB)2

Big Data for (labour market) statistics

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Future of surveys (Mick Couper, ESRA 2013)

– Reduce survey length or burden‐ Use data from other sources‐ Ask less detail‐ Use matrix sampling (= wave approach for LFS)

– Use technology

– Better understand non-respondents

A survey is a tool, that will remain relevant!5

Survey as a tool for making statistics

Modern Using new technology

AppropriateFit for purpose

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Is (Labour Force) Survey modern?

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The survey as a modern tool

– Digital

– Cost-effective

– Flexible

– Incorporating new technologies

– Connected to other data sets

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Modular Design

ESSnet on Multi-mode data collection for social surveys: some findings

– Web data collection is feasible for LFS‐ Mode effects not really different from other modes‐ Can help to cover whole population‐ Is liked by respondents (better than CATI)

– Guidance on questionnaire design is available

– How to combine modes is still an open question

9Final workshop: 4-5 September 2014, Wiesbaden

Is (Labour Force) Survey appropriate?

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The survey as a less appropriate tool

– Preparation, management and fieldwork is resources consuming

– Sample based: not ideal for producing statistics on small groups ‐ Geographical areas ‐ High frequency (monthly or weekly)‐ Information on transitions and mobility

– Not most logical way to collect facts11

The survey as a more appropriate tool

– Can in principle collect private, sensitive or subjective information

– Could be precise: enables harmonisation (of questionnaires)

– Could be a flexible instrument (modular design)

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Changing role of (LF)Survey

Past–LFSurvey: ‘large’ scale data collection to provide data for many labour market statistics–Administrative sources for some employment statistics

Future –Administrative/Open/Machine generated/Big Data for many statistics–Surveys: targeted data collection for specific research and quality assessment

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Consequences for LFS

– The future role of LFS will be less prominent

– Stand-alone surveys not appropriate anymore but integrated designs are required

– System of surveys must be very flexible and extremely efficient‐ Includes web-based data collection‐ Effective (modular) systems for collection and

processing of data

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From brick to slick!

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Redesign LFS to make it ready for the future!

Consequences Labour Market Statistics

– The challenge is to how combine several data sources to make Labour Market Statistics

– This includes new diverse data sets and even ‘big’ data

– International collaboration is required to deal with these challenges

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Thank you for your attention!

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