Employment and unemployment (Labour force survey) (employ)

National Reference Metadata in ESS Standard for Quality Reports Structure (ESQRS)

Compiling agency: Swiss Federal Statistical Office


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Statistical presentation
3. Statistical processing
4. Quality management
5. Relevance
6. Accuracy and reliability
7. Timeliness and punctuality
8. Coherence and comparability
9. Accessibility and clarity
10. Cost and Burden
11. Confidentiality
12. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)
 



For any question on data and metadata, please contact: Eurostat user support

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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

Swiss Federal Statistical Office
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Labour Force section
1.5. Contact mail address

Espace de l'Europe 10

CH-2000 Neuchâtel


2. Statistical presentation Top
Please take note of the abbreviations used in the report 
Abbreviation Explanation
CV Coefficient of variation (or relative standard error)
Y/N Yes / No
H/P Households/Persons
M? Member State doesn’t know
NA Not applicable/ Not relevant
UNA Information unavailable
NR Non-response: Member State doesn’t answer to Eurostat request for information. Blank is allowed only in boxes with comments
CATI Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing
CAWI Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing
LFS Labour Force Survey
EU-LFS European Union Labour Force Survey
SLFS Swiss Labour Force Survey
NUTS Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics or corresponding statistical regions in the EFTA and candidates countries
IESS FR Integration of European Social Statistics framework regulation
SFSO Swiss Federal Statistical Office
LAMAS Labour Market Statistics Working Group at Eurostat
ILO International Labour Organization
2.1. Data description
Coverage   
Coverage Household concept Definition of household for the LFS Inclusion/exclusion criteria for members of the household Questions relating to employment status are put to all persons aged ...
The survey population consists of all persons living in private households aged 15 years and older. The SFLS covers only the permanent resident population in Switzerland and excludes some categories of foreign persons. The permanent resident population includes all persons who officially reside in Switzerland for the entire year. Swiss citizens, foreign citizens holding a permanent residence permit or a residence permit valid for at least one year fall into this category.

Housekeeping
(legal residence)

 Set of persons sharing the same registered main residence (information extracted from the population register at the moment of sampling and updated during the interview). This definition of household is identical to the one applied in the Swiss Census. The SLFS is conducted as a household/person survey; i.e. only one person per household is selected for the interview.   15 to 89

 

Population concept  Specific population subgroups
Primary/secondary students Tertiary students People working out of family home for an extended period for the purpose of work People working away from family home but returning for weekends Children alternating two places of residence
(Intended or actual) usual residence in the country for a continuous period of at least 12 months Legal (main)
residence		 Legal (main) residence Legal (main)
residence		 Legal (main)
residence		 Legal (main)
residence

 

Reference week
Fixed week (data collection refers to one reference week, to which the observation unit has been assigned prior to the fieldwork) Rolling week (data collection always refers to the week before the interview)                                  
 N Y

 

Participation is voluntary/compulsory?
 Voluntary
2.2. Classification system

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
2.3. Coverage - sector

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
2.5. Statistical unit

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
2.6. Statistical population

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
2.7. Reference area

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
2.8. Coverage - Time

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
2.9. Base period

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


3. Statistical processing Top
3.1. Source data

 

Sampling design & procedure
Sampling design (scheme; simple random sample, two stage stratified sample, etc.) Base used for the sample (sampling frame)  Last update of the sampling frame (continuously updated or date of the last update) Primary sampling unit (PSU)   Final sampling unit (FSU) Date of sample selection

The full sample for the SLFS consists of two subsamples:
a) a standard sample
b) an extra sample containing foreign citizens only

Both subsamples are stratified by canton (NUTS 3 region) of residence: the size of each stratum is proportionate to the population size of the respective canton, except for the canton of Ticino (NUTS 3=CH07), for which the proportion of the sample is fixed at 6% of its population size.

 The base used for both subsamples is the SFSO's Sampling Frame for Person and Household Surveys, which contains administrative data provided by cantonal and communal resident's register offices and covers 100% of Switzerland's permanent resident population. Continuously (quarterly) updated  Household Person
(while the household is the primary sampling unit, only one of the members aged 15+ of each selected household is interviewed)		 Quarterly sampling: 6 to 7 weeks before the beginning of the reference quarter.
Date of the register at the moment of sampling: 3 months before the beginning of the reference quarter

 

Sampling design & procedure
First (and intermediate) stage sampling method   Final stage sampling method Stratification (variable used) Number of strata (if strata change quarterly, refer to Q4). Rotation scheme (2-2-2, 5, 6, etc.)
Random poisson sample of households stratified by canton (NUTS 3 region) of residence: the size of each stratum is proportionate to the population size of the respective canton, except for the canton of Ticino (NUTS 3=CH07), for which the proportion of the sample is fixed at 6% of its population size. Simple random selection of one person among all household members aged 15+ Canton (NUTS 3 region) of residence  24  2-(2)-2

 

Yearly sample size & Sampling rate
Overall theoretical yearly sampling rate Size of the theoretical yearly sample
(i.e. including non-response) (i.e. including non-response)
1.28% of all persons aged 15+ (Standard sample: 1.02% of all persons aged 15+ / Extra sample: 1.06% of all foreign citizens aged 15+) 94 135 (Standard sample: 74 949 / Extra sample: 19 186)

  

Quarterly sample size & Sampling rate

Overall theoretical quarterly sampling rate

Size of the theoretical quarterly sample

(i.e. including non-response)

(i.e. including non-response)
Q1: 0.52%

Q2: 0.55%

Q3: 0.54%

Q4: 0.53%

 Q1: 38 140

Q2: 40 434

Q3: 39 912

Q4: 39 056

 

Use of subsamples to survey structural variables (wave approach)
Only for countries using a subsample for yearly variables
Wave(s) for the subsample  Are the 30 totals for ILO labour status (employment, unemployment and inactivity) by sex (males and females) and age groups (15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55+) between the annual average of quarterly estimates and the yearly estimates from the subsample all consistent? (Ref.: Commission Reg. 430/2005, Annex I) (Y/N) If not please list deviations List of yearly variables for which the wave approach is used (Ref.: Commission Reg. 377/2008, Annex II)
1st and 3rd waves  Y  NA

The wave approach is used for all structural variables according to Commission Implementing Reg. 2019/2240:

COEFFY, COEFF2Y, COEFMOD, COEFFHH(*), HHLINK(*), HHSPOU(*), HHFATH(*), HHMOTH(*), HOMEWORK, TEMPREAS, TEMPAGCY, MAINCLNT, VARITIME, SUPVISOR, SIZEFIRM, LOOKOJ, HWWISH, NEEDCARE, HATFIELD, HATYEAR, HATWORK, WAYJFOUN, FINDMETH, STAPROPR, NACEPR2D, ISCOPR3D, INCGROSS, INCGROSS_F,

MIGREAS, SHIFTWK, EVENWK, NIGHTWK, SATWK, SUNWK, EDUCFED12, EDUCLEV12, EDUCNFE12, GENHEALTH, GALI,

eight-yearly variables, variables on ad hoc subjects

 (*) Variables that are irrelevant for the SLFS, as only data on the target person is collected

 

Brief description of the method of calculating the quarterly core weights Is the sample population in private households expanded to the reference population in private households? (Y/N) If No, please explain which population is used as reference population Gender is used in weighting (Y/N) Which age groups are used in the weighting (e.g., 0-14, 15-19, ..., 70-74, 75+)? Which regional breakdown is used in the weighting (e.g. NUTS 3)? Other weighting dimensions
The weighting procedure is based out on a two-phase process:
In a first step, the design weights are obtained as the reciprocal of the inclusion probability of the sample units. In a second step, these weights are adjusted for non response, and finally the sample is calibrated on age, sex, canton of residence (NUTS 3), and other variables using the calibration software CALMAR.		  N  Private households and collective households Y  15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+   NUTS 3 Nationality, residence permit, duration of residence, marital status, labour market status, number of jobs, income decile, grade of invalidity to work, reception of invalidity or old age pension, registration at public employment office, duration of registration at public employment office, economic activity of the local unit, legal form of the local unit (Source: most recent register data available).

Additionally, the household composition is used for the adjustment of non response.

 

Brief description of the method of calculating the yearly weights (please indicate if subsampling is applied to survey yearly variables) Gender is used in weighting (Y/N) Which age groups are used in the weighting (e.g., 0-14, 15-19, ..., 70-74, 75+)? Which regional breakdown is used in the weighting (e.g. NUTS 3)? Other weighting dimensions
The 1st and 3rd waves are used for the subsample for yearly and biennial variables.

The weighting procedure is based out on a two-phase process:
In a first step, the design weights are obtained as the reciprocal of the inclusion probability of the sample units. In a second step, these weights are adjusted for non response, and finally the sample is calibrated on age, sex, canton of residence (NUTS 3), and other variables using the calibration software CALMAR.

  Y 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+  NUTS 3

Average of (labour market status*age group*sex) per quarter, nationality, residence permit, duration of residence, marital status, labour market status, number of jobs, income decile, grade of invalidity to work, reception of invalidity or old age pension, registration at public employment office, duration of registration at public employment office, economic activity of the local unit, legal form of the local unit (Source: most recent register data available).

Additionally, the household composition is used for the adjustment of non response.

 

Brief description of the method of calculating the weights for households External reference for number of households etc.? Which factors at household level are used in the weighting (number of households, household size, household composition, etc.) Which factors at individual level are used in the weighting (gender, age, regional breakdown etc.) Identical household weights for all household members? (Y/N)
NA
(only data on the target person is collected in the SLFS)		  NA  NA  NA  NA
3.2. Frequency of data collection

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
3.3. Data collection
Data collection methods: brief description Use of dependent interviewing (Y/N)? In case of Computer Assisted Methods adoption for data collection, could you please indicate which software is used?

Since 2021, the SLFS is basically conducted as a CAWI/CATI mixed-mode survey with a prioritization of CAWI (CAWI-first approach): in principle, the respondents are encouraged to participate in CAWI mode, but they can still choose to participate via CATI if they prefer doing so, and even if they initially chose to participate via CAWI, they have always the possibility to switch to CATI later on (but not the other way around).

However, for transitional reasons, the SLFS 2021 was still partially cunducted as a mere CATI survey, as survey panels that had been initiated before 2021 remained in CATI-only mode (gradual intruduction of CAWI/CATI mixed-mode from 2021Q1 through 2022Q1).

Part of the information on person and household characteristics, on characteristics of the local unit in which the respondent wiorks, as well as on the registration at a public employment service, is derived from register data. Furthermore, in the follow-up interviews (waves 2-4), some of the data previously gathered in the preceding wave(s) are included and asked to be confirmed. The questionnaire exists in 4 languages (German, French, Italian and English).

  Y LDCS ('LINK Data Collection System', a software developped by the private survey institute which is mandated by the SFSO to carry out the SLFS field work)   

 

Are any LFS data collected from registers (Y/N)? If Yes, please indicate which variables are collected from registers.
 Y

REGION, DEGURBA, SEX, YEARBIR, PASSBIR, AGE, CITIZENSHIP(*), COUNTRYB(*), YEARESID(*), NACE3D, SIZEFIRM, NACE2J2D, NACEPR2D, REGISTER

 (*) The respondents have the possibility to complete, correct, or update the register information during the interview

 
3.4. Data validation

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
3.5. Data compilation

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
3.6. Adjustment

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


4. Quality management Top
4.1. Quality assurance

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
4.2. Quality management - assessment

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


5. Relevance Top
5.1. Relevance - User Needs
Description of users with respect to the statistical data
There are currently about 100 contracts for the use of micro-data for studies of all kind (universities, research institutes, other federal agencies, regional statistical institutes). Furthermore, the SLFS is regularly used to handle questions and/or motions of the Swiss federal parliament.

 

Indication of the needs and uses for which users want the statistical outputs; information on unmet user needs and any plans to satisfy them in the future
The SLFS is one of the most-used surveys/statistics in Switzerland: statistics on persons employed and unemployed are the flagships of the SLFS. Unemployment statistics based on the SLFS are now widely known to allow international comparisons and to be free of breaks in time-series, which cannot be guaranteed when using registered unemployment statistics. Work Volume Statistics, mainly derived from the SLFS is used – among other goals – as the denominator to calculate labour productivity. Besides this, there is a long list of much-demanded labour market indicators produced on the basis of the SLFS (employment by occupations, by economic activity, underemployment, working schedule, on-call work, duration of contracts, etc.). Finally, there is also a multitude of other indicators produced on the basis of the SLFS in the fields of migration/integration, education, gender equality, unpaid work, retirement, sustainable development, etc.. 
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
5.3. Completeness
NUTS level of detail   
Regional level of an individual record (person) in the national data set Lowest regional level of the results published by NSI Lowest regional level of the results delivered to researchers by NSI Brief description of the method which is used to produce NUTS-3 unemployment and labour force data sent to Eurostat?
Commune
(=municipality)		 NUTS 2
(no publication below this level, except for some cantons that are participating and increasing the sample size for their territory)		 NUTS 3
(on demand, researchers can access the micro-data containing all regional information down to the lowest possible level) 		  NA
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


6. Accuracy and reliability Top
6.1. Accuracy - overall

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
6.2. Sampling error
Publication thresholds   
Annual average estimates Yearly estimates - wave approach 
 Limit below which figures cannot be published  Limit below which figures must be published with warning  Limit below which figures cannot be published Limit below which figures must be published with warning
 1000  5000  1000  5000

 

Biennial variables estimates Household estimates Household average estimates
Limit below which figures cannot be published Limit below which figures must be published with warning Limit below which figures cannot be published Limit below which figures must be published with warning Limit below which figures cannot be published Limit below which figures must be published with warning
 1000  5000  NA  NA  NA  NA
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Coefficient of variation (CV) Annual estimates
Sampling error - indicators - Coefficient of variation (CV), Standard Error (SE) and Confidence Interval (CI)       
 

            Employment rate                                 

Unemployment-to-population ratio                      

Youth unemployment rate as a percentage of labour force
 

Age group: 15 -74

Age group: 15 -74

Age group: 15 -24
 CV 0.22147 2.11322 4.42468
 SE 0.001577842 0.000814984 0.003902123
 CI(*) 0.709350 – 0.715530 0.036969 – 0.040163 0.080542 – 0.095838

 

                                      Unemployment-to-population ratio 15-74 (NUTS 2 regions)                                 
Regional Code Region CV       SE         CI(*)  
CH01 Lake Geneva Region 4.13012 0.002218294 0.049362 – 0.058058
CH02 Espace Mittelland 5.18758 0.001717805 0.029747 – 0.036481
CH03 Northwestern Switzerland 5.66989 0.002074827 0.032527 – 0.040660
CH04 Zurich 5.07989 0.001920445 0.034041 – 0.041569
CH05 Eastern Switzerland 5.98460 0.001958241 0.028883 – 0.036559
CH06 Central Switzerland 8.25462 0.002161101 0.021945 – 0.030416
CH07 Ticino 8.09532 0.004552997 0.047318 – 0.065166

 (*) The value is based on a CI of 95%. For the rates the CI should be given with 2 decimals. 

 

Description of the assumption underlying the denominator for the calculation of the CV for the employment rate
Employment rate = number of employed persons / N, where N is the size of the population of persons aged 15-74 and N is fixed due to the calibration;

Thus: Variance of employment rate = variance of number of employed persons / N2;

And: CV(employment rate) = (variance of number of employed persons)1/2 / N * (N / number of employed persons)

 

Reference on software used: Reference on method of estimation:
SAS (proc means, proc glm)

Purpose-made method that takes into account the effect of calibration in the estimation of variance (based on the formula introduced by Deville in Caron et al. (1998)(**). 

 (**) Caron, N., Deville, J. & Sautory, O. (1998). Estimation de données issues d’enquêtes : document méthodologique sur le logiciel POULPE. Tech. Rep. 9806, INSEE, Paris.
6.3. Non-sampling error

 [not requested for the LFS quality report]
6.3.1. Coverage error
Frame quality (under-coverage, over-coverage and misclassifications(b))      
Under-coverage rate (%) Over-coverage rate (%) Misclassification rate (%)  Comments: specification and impact on estimates(a)   
 Undercoverage  Overcoverage  Misclassification(b)  Reference on frame errors
 0  0  M?  NA  NA Differing household composition: unit non-response in case the target person is not living in the selected household (anymore). Else no impact on estimates.  M?

(a) Mention specifically which regions / population groups are not suitably represented in the sample.
(b) Misclassification refers to statistical units having an erroneous classification where both the wrong and the correct one are within the target population.
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate

[Over-coverage rate, please see concept 6.3.1 Coverage error in the LFS quality report]
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
6.3.2. Measurement error
Errors due to the medium (questionnaire)   
Was the questionnaire updated for the 2021 LFS operation? (Y/N) Synthetic description of the update Was the questionnaire tested? (Y/N) If the questionnaire has been tested, which kind of tests has been applied (pilot, cognitive, internal check)?
 Y Encompassing revision of questionnaire wording and routing due to the revision of the EU-LFS within the scope of the new IESS FR (Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2019/2240) on the one hand and in consequence of the transition from CATI-only to CAWI/CATI mixed-mode on the other hand.   Y  Pilot, cognitive, and internal check

 

Main methods of reducing measurement errors 
Error source  
Respondent  Letter introducing the survey (Y/N) Phone call for booking or introducing the survey (Y/N)
 Y  Y (only in case the target person does not respond via web in due time)  
Interviewer  Periodical training (at least 1 time per year) (Y/N)  Feedbacks from interviewer (reports, debriefings, etc.) (Y/N)
 Y  Y
Fieldwork  Monitoring directly by contacting the respondents after the fieldwork (Y/N) Monitoring directly by listening the interviews (Y/N) Monitoring remotely through performance indicators (Y/N)
 N  Y  Y
Questionnaire  Questionnaire in several languages (Y/N)  On-line checks (for computer assisted interviews (Y/N)
 Y (German, French, Italian and English)  Y
Other / Comments  NA
6.3.3. Non response error

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate

IN THIS SECTION INFORMATION REFERS TO THE FINAL SAMPLING UNITS(*)

Methods used for adjustments for statistical unit non-response
Adjustment via weights (Y/N) Variables used for non-response adjustment Description of method
 Y

1st wave: household composition, age, sex, marital status, canton of residence (NUTS 3), nationality, residence permit, and duration of residence

Subsequent waves: in addition to the variables used for non-response adjustment in the 1st wave, the labour market status and the education level as surveyed in the previous waves are also taken into account

 Response homogeneity groups
Substitution of non-responding units (Y/N) Substitution rate Criteria for substitution
 N  NA  NA
Other methods (Y/N) Description of method
 N  NA

  

Rates of non-response by survey mode. Annual average (% of the theoretical yearly sample by survey mode)
Survey
CAPI CATI  PAPI  CAWI  POSTAL
 NA  3.68  NA  17.28(**)  NA

 

Divisions of non-response into categories. Quarterly data and annual average 
Quarter Non-response rate
Total (%)             of which:
 Refusals (%) Non-contacts (including people who migrated (or moved) internally or abroad) (%)
1 17.60  1.79 8.23
2 20.85  1.58 9.90
3 23.13  1.66 11.57
4 22.26  1.54 10.64
Annual 20.96  1.64 10.08

 

Units who refused to participate in the survey  (Please indicate the number of the units concerned in the cells where the wave is mentioned)
Subsample Quarter1_2021 Quarter2_2021 Quarter3_2021 Quarter4_2021
Subsample_Q4_2019 30      
Subsample_Q1_2020 67 17    
Subsample_Q2_2020   64 33  
Subsample_Q3_2020     79 23
Subsample_Q4_2020 86     72
Subsample_Q1_2021 498 72    
Subsample_Q2_2021   486 74  
Subsample_Q3_2021     476 57
Subsample_Q4_2021       450
Total in absolute numbers 681 639 662 602
Total in % of theoretical quarterly sample 1.79 1.58 1.66 1.54

 

Units who were not contacted (including people who migrated (or moved) internally or abroad) (Please indicate the number of units only in the cells where the wave is mentioned)
Subsample Quarter1_2021 Quarter2_2021 Quarter3_2021 Quarter4_2021
Subsample_Q1_2019 229      
Subsample_Q1_2020 506 309    
Subsample_Q2_2020   676 470  
Subsample_Q3_2020     793 287
Subsample_Q4_2020 481     727
Subsample_Q1_2021 1923 852    
Subsample_Q2_2021   2164 899  
Subsample_Q3_2021     2457 788
Subsample_Q4_2021       2354
Total in absolute numbers 3139 4001 4619 4156
Total in % of theoretical quarterly sample 8.23 9.90 11.57 10.64

 

Non-response rates. Annual averages (% of the theoretical yearly sample)
NUTS-2 region (code + name)  Non response rate (%)
CH01 – Lake Geneva Region 22.04
CH02 – Espace Mittelland 19.54
CH03 – Northwestern Switzerland 22.15
CH04 – Zurich 22.47
CH05 – Eastern Switzerland 21.15
CH06 – Central Switzerland 19.88
CH07 – Ticino 16.86

(*) If the final sampling unit is the household it must be considered as responding unit even in case of some household members (not all) do not answer the interview

(**) Since the introduction of the CAWI/CATI mixed-mode design, the target persons in the 1st wave of the SLFS are initially free to choose whether they prefer to participate via CAWI or CATI. In contrast, in the subsequent waves, they are encouraged to continue participating in the mode they chose for the 1st wave, although a switch from CAWI to CATI still remains possible (but not the other way around). Therefore, technically speaking, while there is an initial focus in the case of non-respondents in waves 2 to 4, non-respondents in the 1st wave cannot really be attributed to either mode. Nevertheless, given the overall prioritization of participation via CAWI (CAWI-first approach), for the sake of this table, non-respondents of the 1st wave are counted under the CAWI mode.

 
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Item non-response (*) - Quarterly data (Compared to the variables defined by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2019/2240)       

Variable status

 Column Identifier Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Short comments on reasons for non-available statistics and prospects for future solutions

Compulsory / optional
 compulsory Col_205 - Employed  AVAIREAS  24.65  16.63  16.75  17.22 Filter/codification problem caused by the revision of the questionnaire. In depth analysis and problem mitigation planned. 
 compulsory Col_205 - Not employed  AVAIREAS  20.77  25.94   27.36  27.64 Filter error caused by the revision of the questionnaire. Concerns only persons outside the labour force (ILOSTAT=3 and WANTWORK=1). Error fixed in the 2022 questionnaire.
 compulsory Col_215/217  NACE3D  .  11.90  12.19  12.63 Codification problem caused by the introduction of CAWI: due to the lack of assistance from an interviewer, there is an increasing number of respondents who fail to find their local unit in the business register. In this case, NACE information is only available at the 1-digit level of detail in the SLFS. Mitigation of the problem through imputation of business statistics data planned.
 compulsory Col_236  SEEKDUR  .  13.76  11.90  . M? In depth analysis and problem mitigation planned.
 compulsory Col_239/240  NACE2J2D  14.38  16.89  17.44  18.06 Codification problem caused by the introduction of CAWI: due to the lack of assistance from an interviewer, there is an increasing number of respondents who fail to find their local unit in the business register. In this case, NACE information is only available at the 1-digit level of detail in the SLFS.
 compulsory Col_295/297  HWUSU2J  24.01  .  .  . Filter error caused by the revision of the questionnaire. Error fixed in the 2021Q2 questionnaire.
 compulsory Col_298/300  HWACTU2J  25.42  .  .  . Filter error caused by the revision of the questionnaire. Error fixed in the 2021Q2 questionnaire.

 

Item non-response (*) - Annual data (Compared to the variables defined by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2019/2240)    
Variable status Column Identifier This reference year Short comments on reasons for non-available statistics and prospects for future solutions
 compulsory Col_228  MAINCLNT  15.74 Filter error caused by the revision of the questionnaire. Error fixed in the 2022 questionnaire.
 compulsory Col_231/232  SIZEFIRM  21.70 Codification problem caused by the introduction of CAWI: due to the lack of assistance from an interviewer, there is an increasing number of respondents who fail to find their local unit in the business register. 
 compulsory Col_272/273  NACEPR2D  26.60 Codification problem caused by the introduction of CAWI: due to the lack of assistance from an interviewer, there is an increasing number of respondents who fail to find their local unit in the business register. In this case, NACE information is only available at the 1-digit level of detail in the SLFS.
 compulsory Col_248/251  HATYEAR  22.63 Filter error: HATYEAR information not gathered for respondents having completed only mandatory education. In depth analysis and problem mitigation planned. 
 compulsory Col_252  HATWORK  21.56 Problem caused by the revision of the questionnaire: HATWORK information has not been gathered retroactively for respondents in pre-2021 subsamples who had not completed further education since their first interview. Gradual disappearance of the problem by the end of 2022Q1.

(*) "C" means all the records have the same value different from missing.
6.3.4. Processing error
Editing of statistical item non-response

Do you apply some data editing procedure to detect and correct errors? (Y/N)

 Overall editing rate (Observations with at least one item changed / Total Observations )
 N  NA
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate
Imputation of statistical item non-response
Are all or part of the variables with item non response imputed? (Y/N) Overall imputation rate (Observations with at least one item imputed / Total Observations )
 N  NA
 Main variables Imputation rate  Describe method used, mentioning which auxiliary information or stratification is used 
 N  NA  NA
6.3.5. Model assumption error

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
6.4. Seasonal adjustment
Do you apply any seasonal adjustment to the LFS Series? (Y/N) If Yes, is your adopted methodology compliant with the ESS guidelines on seasonal adjustment? (ref. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/research-methodology/seasonal-adjustment) (Y/N) If Yes, are you compliant with the Eurostat/ECB recommendation on Jdemetra+ as software for conducting seasonal adjustment of official statistics. (ref. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/ess/-/jdemetra-officially-recommended-as-software-for-the-seasonal-adjustment-of-official-statistics) (Y/N) If Not, please provide a description of the used methods and tools
 Y  Y  Y  NA
6.5. Data revision - policy
Do you adopt a general data revision policy fully compliant with the ESS Code of Practice principles? (in particular see the 8th principle) (Y/N) Are you compliant with the ESS guidelines on revision policy for PEEIs? (ref. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3859598/5935517/KS-RA-13-016-EN.PDF) (Y/N)
 Y  N
6.6. Data revision - practice

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
6.6.1. Data revision - average size

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


7. Timeliness and punctuality Top
7.1. Timeliness
Restricted from publication
7.1.1. Time lag - first result
Restricted from publication
7.1.2. Time lag - final result
Restricted from publication
7.2. Punctuality

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


8. Coherence and comparability Top
8.1. Comparability - geographical

Divergence of national concepts from European concepts

(European concept or National proxy concept used) List all concepts where any divergences can be found

    
Is there a divergence between the national and European concepts for the following characteristics? (Y/N) Give a description of difference and provide an assessment of the impact of the divergence on the statistics
Definition of resident population (*)  N  NA
Identification of the main job (*)  N  NA
Employment  N  NA
Unemployment  N  NA
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
8.2. Comparability - over time
Changes at CONCEPT level introduced during the reference year and affecting comparability with previous reference periods (including breaks in series)
Changes in (Y/N) Description of the impact of the changes Statistics also revised backwards (if Y: year / N) Variables affected Break in series to be flagged (if Y: year and quarter/N)  
concepts and definition  Y Changes according to the revision of the EU-LFS within the scope of the new IESS FR (Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2019/2240). No significant impact.   N All variables that have undergone changes in the wake of the revision of the EU-LFS  N
coverage (i.e. target population)  N NA  N NA  N
legislation  Y Entry into force of Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2019/2240. No significant impact.   N All variables that have undergone changes in the wake of the revision of the EU-LFS  N
classifications  Y Changes according to the revision of the EU-LFS within the scope of the new IESS FR (Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2019/2240). No significant impact.   N All variables that have undergone changes in the wake of the revision of the EU-LFS  N
geographical boundaries  N NA  N  NA  N

 

Changes at MEASUREMENT level introduced during the reference year and affecting comparability with previous reference periods (including breaks in series)
Changes to (Y/N) Description of the impact of the changes Statistics also revised backwards (if Y: year / N) Variables affected Break in series to be flagged (if Y: year and quarter/N)
sampling frame  N NA  N NA  N
sample design  N NA  N NA  N
rotation pattern  N NA  N NA  N
questionnaire  Y  Encompassing revision of questionnaire wording and routing due to the revision of the EU-LFS within the scope of the new IESS FR (Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 2019/2240) on the one hand and in consequence of the transition from CATI-only to CAWI/CATI mixed-mode on the other hand. Overall positive impact on cost and burden, but no significant impact on results.   N All variables that have undergone changes in the wake of the revision of the EU-LFS  N
instruction to interviewers  N NA  N NA  N
survey mode  Y Gradual transition from CATI-only to CAWI/CATI mixed-mode. Overall positive impact on response as well as on cost and burden, but no significant impact on results.   N All variables
  N
weighting scheme  N NA  N NA  N
use of auxiliary information  Y Data partially or completely derived from population/business/unemployment registers. Positive impact on cost and burden, but no significant impact on results.   N YEARESID (partially)
SIZEFIRM (partially), REGISTER (completely		  N
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
8.3. Coherence - cross domain
Coherence of LFS data with Business statistics data    
  Description of difference in concept Description of difference in measurement Give an assessment of the effects of the differences Give references to description of differences
Total employment Business statistics data cover all persons working in Switzerland (domestic concept, NACE sections B-S, registered firms), whereas SLFS data cover all persons whose main place of residence is in Switzerland (permanent resident population concept, NACE sections A-U). Business statistics data unit is “job”, whereas SLFS data unit is “person”. Concept level: the covered population differs considerably, which leads to significant discrepancies in the results.
Measurement level: persons having 2 jobs appear twice in the Business statistics, while they appear only once in the SLFS data.		 SFSO website: Employment and income - Definitions
Total employment by NACE Business statistics data cover all persons working in Switzerland (domestic concept, NACE sections B-S, registered firms), whereas SLFS data cover all persons whose main place of residence is in Switzerland (permanent resident population concept, NACE sections A-U). Business statistics data unit is “job”, whereas SLFS data unit is “person”. Concept level: the covered population differs considerably, which leads to significant discrepancies in the results.
Measurement level: persons having 2 jobs appear twice in the Business statistics, while they appear only once in the SLFS data.		 SFSO website: Employment and income - Definitions
Number of hours worked The number of hours worked is not measured by the Business statistics. NA NA NA

 

Coherence of LFS data with registered unemployment  
Description of difference in concept Description of difference in measurement Give references to description of differences
In the SLFS, unemployment corresponds to the ILO/Eurostat definition. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO publishes a monthly unemployment rate which only takes into account unemployed persons registered at the public employment office. SLFS: survey

Registered unemployment: monthly collection of data form the public employment offices

 SFSO website: Employment and income - Definitions

 

Assessment of the effect of differences of LFS unemployment and registered unemployment     
Give an assessment of the effects of the differences          
Overall effect Men under 25 years Men 25 years and over Women under 25 years Women 25 years and over Regional distribution (NUTS-3)
On average, the LFS unemployement rate for the total population is 1.8 percentage point higher than the registered unemployment rate (annual data from 2015 to 2021). On average, the LFS unemployement rate for men under 25 years is 5.4 percentage point higher than the registered unemployment rate (annual data from 2015 to 2021). On average, the LFS unemployement rate for men 25 years and over is 5.3 percentage point higher than the registered unemployment rate (annual data from 2015 to 2021). On average, the LFS unemployement rate for women under 25 years is 1.0 percentage point higher than the registered unemployment rate (annual data from 2015 to 2021). On average, the LFS unemployement rate for women 25 years and over is 1.8 percentage point higher than the registered unemployment rate (annual data from 2015 to 2021). NA
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts
Coherence of LFS data with National Accounts data    
  Description of difference in concept Description of difference in measurement Give an assessment of the effects of the differences Give references to description of differences
Total employment National accounts data cover all persons working in Switzerland (domestic concept, NACE sections A-T), while SLFS data cover all persons whose main place of residence is in Switzerland (permanent resident population concept, NACE sections A-U).  NA Concept level: the covered population differs considerably, which leads to significant discrepancies in the results. SFSO website: Employment and income - Definitions
Total employment by NACE National accounts data cover all persons working in Switzerland (domestic concept, NACE sections A-T), while SLFS data cover all persons whose main place of residence is in Switzerland (permanent resident population concept, NACE sections A-U).  NA Concept level: the covered population differs considerably, which leads to significant discrepancies in the results. SFSO website: Employment and income - Definitions
Number of hours worked National accounts data cover all persons working in Switzerland (domestic concept, NACE sections A-T), while SLFS data cover all persons whose main place of residence is in Switzerland (permanent resident population concept, NACE sections A-U).  NA Concept level: the covered population differs considerably, which leads to significant discrepancies in the results. SFSO website: Employment and income - Definitions

 

Which is the use of LFS data for National Account Data?   
Country uses LFS as the only source for employment in national accounts. Country uses mainly LFS, but replacing it in a few industries (or labour status), on a case-by-case basis Country not make use of LFS, or makes minimal use of it Country combines sources for labour supply and demand giving precedence to labour supply sources (i.e. LFS) Country combines sources for labour supply and demand not giving precedence to any labour side Country combines sources for labour supply and demand giving precedence to labour demand sources (i.e. employment registers and/or enterprise surveys)
 N  N  N  N  N  Y
8.6. Coherence - internal

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


9. Accessibility and clarity Top
9.1. Dissemination format - News release

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Please provide a list of type and frequency of publications
 All informations, publications and standard tables are published and available on the SFSO website:
http://www.bfs.admin.ch
in particular:
a) General description
www.slfs.bfs.admin.ch
b) Publications and findings
SLFS Publcations and findings
9.3. Dissemination format - online database
Documentation, explanations, quality limitations, graphics etc.    
Web link to national methodological publication Conditions of access to data Accompanying information to data Further assistance available to users

SLFS Fact sheet

SLFS Methodology (Available only in German and French and partially outdated)

Publication on the calculation of weights and the estimation of variance in the SLFS (Available only in French and partially outdated)

 Main aggregate results are accesible without restrictions. Access to anonymized micro-datasets is possible by signing a contract pertaining to the use of the data. See point 9.2 (Dissimination format - Publications) email: info.arbeit@bfs.admin.ch

phone: 0041 (0) 58 463 64 00
9.3.1. Data tables - consultations

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
9.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Accessibility to LFS national microdata (Y/N) Who is entitled to the access (researchers, firms, institutions)? Conditions of access to data Accompanying information to data Further assistance available to users
 Y Anyone signing a contract pertaining to the use of the data. Use for scientific means only. No further disclosure to third parties. No data linking. Data protection. Destruction of the data after the completion of the research project for which the data have been accessed. See point 9.2 (Dissimination format - Publications) email: info.arbeit@bfs.admin.ch

phone: 0041 (0) 58 463 64 00
9.5. Dissemination format - other

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
9.6. Documentation on methodology
References to methodological notes about the survey and its characteristics

SLFS Fact sheet

SLFS Methodology (Available only in German and French and partially outdated)

Publication on the calculation of weights and the estimation of variance in the SLFS (Available only in French and partially outdated)
9.7. Quality management - documentation

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


10. Cost and Burden Top
Restricted from publication


11. Confidentiality Top
11.1. Confidentiality - policy

[not requested for the LFS quality report]
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Please provide information on the policy for anonymizing microdata in your country
National microdata contain only the year of birth (no such variable as PASSBIR). Furthermore, the commune of residence is not made available in case it has fewer than 5000 residents.


12. Comment Top

[not requested for the LFS quality report]


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top