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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Education pays off, but you have to be patient
The educational level of the world’s labour force is increasing, but it is not always easy for highly educated workers to find jobs matching their expectations. This Spotlight on Work Statistics explores the advantages and disadvantages of having a tertiary degree in the labour market.
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Statistics on Cooperatives: Concepts, classification, work and economic contribution measurement
This publication brings together updated versions of four background studies produced for the ILO and COPAC in the process leading up to the adoption of the Guidelines concerning statistics of cooperatives at the 20th ICLS in October 2018. Together with the guidelines, it is intended to help statisticians to capture more information on key trends and challenges in the world of cooperatives.

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

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

Indicator description: Employment-to-population ratio
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