The figures in this statistical news release are based on collected data that contains quality deficiencies. Revised LFS figures have been published and are available here:

Labour Force Surveys

Information about nonresponse

During the last few months the nonresponse rate has been higher than normal. Compared with the outcome in previous months, the data for May 2019 indicates a decrease in the employment rate. To determine whether these developments are persistent, additional measurements are needed. The LFS is a sample survey, thus associated with some uncertainty. This may lead to deviations in the estimates in some cases. Therefore the results of the 2019 May LFS should be used with some caution.

May 2019

In May 2019, there were 5 095 000 employed persons aged 15─74, not seasonally adjusted. The number of employed men was 2 650 000, and the number of employed women was 2 445 000. The employment rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points compared with May 2018 and amounted to 67.9 percent. Among men, the employment rate was 69.4 percent and among women, it was 66.3 percent. Smoothed and seasonally adjusted data indicates a minor change in the number of employed persons and a decrease in the employment rate compared with recent months. In May 2019, there were 5 155 000 employed persons, which corresponds to an employment rate of 68.7 percent.

The number of employees aged 15─74 was 4 621 000 in May 2019, not seasonally adjusted. Among men, the number was 2 306 000 and among women it was 2 315 000. The number of permanent employees amounted to 3 893 000 in the same period. Among men, the number of permanent employees was 1 997 000 and among women it was 1 896 000. There were 728 000 temporary employees. Compared with nearby months, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows an increase in the number of permanent employees and a decrease in the number of temporary employees.

On average, the number of hours worked in May 2019 amounted to 169.9 million per week, not seasonally adjusted. Smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows an increase in the number of hours worked per week compared with recent months. On average, the number of hours worked amounted to 158.5 million per week in May 2019.

In May 2019, there were 373 000 unemployed persons aged 15─74, not seasonally adjusted. This corresponds to an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent. There were 167 000 unemployed women and 206 000 unemployed men. The unemployment rate was 6.4 percent among women and 7.2 percent among men. Among young persons aged 15─24 there were 132 000 unemployed persons, of whom 79 000 were full-time students. The unemployment rate among young people was 22.3 percent, an increase of 3.9 percentage points compared with May 2018. Among persons aged 15–74, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows minor changes in both the number of unemployed persons and in the unemployment rate compared with nearby months. There were 347 000 unemployed persons in May 2019, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 6.3 percent. Among young persons aged 15─24, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows minor changes in both the number of unemployed persons and in the unemployment rate. There were 109 000 unemployed young persons, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 17.8 percent.

2019-07-25 at 9:30.