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[The working population: a statistical category that is hard to define]
Economie & Statistique
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Statistical definitions of France's working population differ, impacting labor force analysis. Clarifying these categories is crucial for accurate forecasting and international comparisons.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Economics
- Demography
Background:
- Current definitions of the working population in France, derived from census data, rely on self-reporting.
- These definitions do not precisely align with the International Labour Organization (ILO) definition, which focuses on the labor force available for production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze discrepancies between census-based and ILO-defined working populations in France.
- To highlight the need for clearer statistical categories for improved labor market analysis and international comparability.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of French census data and ILO labor force definitions.
- Examination of specific demographic groups (discouraged job-seekers, revealed job-seekers, trainees) and their classification under different definitions.
Main Results:
- Census data includes categories like discouraged job-seekers (160,000), revealed job-seekers (130,000), and trainees (120,000) as working population.
- The ILO definition excludes these groups, classifying them as unoccupied, leading to significant numerical differences.
Conclusions:
- Discrepancies in defining the working population hinder accurate labor force assessment and international comparisons.
- Refining statistical categories is essential for precise future working population forecasts and behavioral analyses.