Today all table packages and time series in the Labour Force Surveys (LFS) for 2010-2012 are being updated due to an improved method of calculation. The update will assure comparability over time in the main time series. The updated figures for the period 2010-2012 differs from that which was previously published. The differences are mainly marginal and do not change the description of the Swedish labour market and its development.11 000 persons and amounted to 388 000 persons. Unemployment was 7.7 percent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to 2011. The number of hours worked was an average of 143.6 million per week.
Background for re-publishing
The LFS has traditionally focused on presentation of the employed and the unemployed. To also illustrate the situation for groups with a weaker attachment to the labour market, the government decided at the turn of the year 2008/2009 that the monthly sample for the LFS should be increased by 8 000 persons.
Since 2010 the presentation of the LFS is based on two samples: the previous normal sample and the extra sample of 8 000 persons. This has led to several new table packages containing stock and flow statistics. In particular, the tables describe the situation for the population not at work: employed persons absent from work for at least one calendar week, unemployed persons and persons not in the labour force (such as pensioners, full time students, persons with poor health etc.).
Statistics Sweden carries out intensive development work to improve the accuracy in the statistics. The work has been directed towards improving the calculations of the statistical information from the two samples. The new optimal method of calculation will be introduced in the regular production of statistics as of the January LFS 2013. To assure continued good comparability of the statistics over time, the new method will also be introduced for the period 2010-2012. This will result in updates for all table packages and time series from the LFS on Statistics Sweden's website and at Eurostat.
Effects of the new method of calculation
- Accuracy in the updated figures will be improved by 2-11 percentage points compared to the previous publishing. Improvements in particular will be made for the groups with a weaker attachment to the labour market.
- An important basis for the decision to introduce the new method has been to assure comparability over time. The updated information for the period 2010-2012 will not involve any breaks in the main series, and high comparability with the period 2009 and previously will also be maintained.
- The updated information for the period 2010-2012 naturally differ from the figures that was previously published. The differences are mainly marginal and do not change the description of the Swedish labour market and its development.
Differences between previously published figures and updated figures
According to the new figures, the number of employed persons is systematically lower than in the previous publications, while unemployment is somewhat higher. The number of persons not in the labour force has not been significantly changed in the changeover.
The number of employed persons in the new figures has on average decreased during the period 2010-2012 by about 17 000 persons. The decrease in the number of employed persons is because of a decrease in the 25-54 age group by about 33 000 persons, of whom 18 000 persons aged 45-54. At the same time the number of employed persons aged 65-74 has increased by about 15 000 persons. Changes in the number of employed persons has involved a decrease in the number of permanent employees during the period 2010-2012 on average by about 35 000 persons, while the number of temporary employees has increased on average by about 22 000 persons.
The number of actual hours worked has decreased on average by 1.1 million hours in the updated information, or 0.75 percent compared to previously published information.
However, the number of unemployed persons has increased on average by 12 000 persons, and thus the unemployment rate has increased by about 0.3 percentage points. The number of unemployed persons has increased somewhat in all age groups except among young persons.