The importance of employment as a pathway to economic development, social inclusion and well-being has long been recognised. As well as being at the heart of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, employment is a central element in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which places emphasis on promoting productive employment and decent work for all (Goal 8).
In this context, statistics on employment are crucial to monitor progress towards many national and international policy goals. These statistics must not just quantify work and people in employment but also provide meaningful information on the types of jobs people are doing.
The international statistical standards relating to employment have undergone significant changes over time, designed to improve their relevance and depth for policy makers. The most significant of these changes came at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013 when the international community adopted the first statistical definition of work alongside a forms of work framework. Within the new framework, employment is defined as work performed in return for pay or profit. This is narrower than the scope of the previous definition which included some unpaid activities such as subsistence work.Â
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World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2022
The ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2022 report warns of a slow and uncertain recovery, as the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on global labour markets.
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World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2022
The ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2022 report warns of a slow and uncertain recovery, as the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on global labour markets.

Indicator description: Employment by economic activity
Indicator descriptions provide a concise overview of concepts and definitions, uses, sources and limitations.

Indicator description: Employment by occupation
Indicator descriptions provide a concise overview of concepts and definitions, uses, sources and limitations.

Indicator description: Employment by status in employment
Indicator descriptions provide a concise overview of concepts and definitions, uses, sources and limitations.
- Resolution concerning statistics on work relationships
- Resolution concerning the International Classification of Status in Employment (ICSE)
- Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization
- Resolution concerning statistics of the economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment*
- Resolution concerning the measurement of underemployment and inadequate employment situations
- Indicator description: Employment-to-population ratio
- Indicator description: Employment by status
- Indicator description: Employment by economic activity
- Indicator description: Employment by occupation
- ILO modelled estimates methodology
*Replaced by the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization