Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Unit F3: Labour market and lifelong learning
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
16 May 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
16 May 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
16 May 2025
3.1. Data description
The section 'LFS series - detailed quarterly survey results' reports detailed quarterly results going beyond the EU-LFS main aggregates, which have a separate data domain and some methodological differences.
This data collection covers all main labour market characteristics, i.e. the total population, labour force and labour force participation rates, employment, employment rates, self-employed, employees, temporary employment, full-time and part-time employment, population in employment having a second job, working time, total unemployment and persons outside labour force.
Detailed information on the main features, the legal basis, the methodology and the data as well as on the historical development of the EU-LFS is available on the EU-LFS (Statistics Explained) webpage.
As a general rule the EU-LFS covers all economic sectors.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The EU-LFS provides population estimates for the main labour market characteristics, such as employment, unemployment, people outside the labour force, hours of work, occupation, economic activity and other labour related variables, as well as important socio-demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, education, household characteristics and regions of residence.
The definitions of employment and unemployment, as well as other survey characteristics follow the definitions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The definitions are clearly stated in the Article 2 of the aforementioned Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2240.
All reported errors (once validated) result in corrections of the disseminated data. Reported errors that are deemed to be significant are corrected in the disseminated data as soon as the correct data have been validated. Corrections for other errors are carried out in connection with the regular scheduled data dissemination.
Data are only published once they are deemed to be sufficiently complete for all data providers contributing to the aggregate.
Whenever new data are provided and validated, the already disseminated data are updated with next regular production cycle. New data are only used to update disseminated data in the case of reported errors, or in exceptional situations, such as after new population estimates have been defined based on a population census.
The section 'LFS series - detailed quarterly survey results' reports detailed quarterly results going beyond the EU-LFS main aggregates, which have a separate data domain and some methodological differences.
This data collection covers all main labour market characteristics, i.e. the total population, labour force and labour force participation rates, employment, employment rates, self-employed, employees, temporary employment, full-time and part-time employment, population in employment having a second job, working time, total unemployment and persons outside labour force.
Detailed information on the main features, the legal basis, the methodology and the data as well as on the historical development of the EU-LFS is available on the EU-LFS (Statistics Explained) webpage.
16 May 2025
The EU-LFS provides population estimates for the main labour market characteristics, such as employment, unemployment, people outside the labour force, hours of work, occupation, economic activity and other labour related variables, as well as important socio-demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, education, household characteristics and regions of residence.
The definitions of employment and unemployment, as well as other survey characteristics follow the definitions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The definitions are clearly stated in the Article 2 of the aforementioned Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2240.
