Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The quarterly data are broken down by economic activity (at section level) in accordance with NACE Rev. 2 - Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community.
2.3. Coverage - sector
The data cover all the economic activities defined by NACE Rev. 2, except agriculture, forestry and fishing activities (optional in the JVS framework regulation), the activities of households as employers and the activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
A 'job vacancy' is defined as a paid post that is newly created, unoccupied, or about to become vacant:
for which the employer is taking active steps and is prepared to take further steps to find a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise concerned; and
which the employer intends to fill either immediately or within a specific period of time.
‘Active steps to find a suitable candidate’ include:
notifying the job vacancy to the public employment services,
contacting a private employment agency/head hunters,
advertising the vacancy in the media (for example internet, newspapers, magazines),
advertising the vacancy on a public notice board,
approaching, interviewing or selecting possible candidates/potential recruits directly,
approaching employees and/or personal contacts,
using internships.
'Specific period of time’ refers to the maximum time the vacancy is open and intended to be filled. That period shall be unlimited; all vacancies for which active steps are continuing on the reference date shall be reported.
An 'occupied post’ means a paid post within the organisation to which an employee has been assigned.
2.5. Statistical unit
Enterprise.
2.6. Statistical population
Enterprises with one and more employees.
2.7. Reference area
The whole territory of the country.
2.8. Coverage - Time
The quarterly data are available from 2009.
2.9. Base period
Not applicable.
3.1. Source data
Identification of the source of the data
Continuous sample survey for the number of job vacancies. Statistics based on secondary data for the number of persons employed.
Coverage
Geographical
The whole territory of the country is included in the survey
NACE
NACE B to S
Enterprise size
Enterprises with at least one employee
Definition of the statistical unit
The statistical unit is the enterprise
Remarks
Sampling design
Base used for the sample
Statistics Austria’s Business Register is used as the base for the sample. The frame population consists of approximately 250,000 enterprises in Austria with at least one employee.
Sampling design
The survey’s underlying sample of approx. 6,000 enterprises per quarter is stratified by NACE Rev. 2 sections (18 sections) and further by size classes (no more than six) for the number of employees (average across the end of month levels in the previous quarter).
The sample size of approx. 6,000 businesses is broken down into 83 strata in proportion to the product of the current number of enterprises and an estimated standard deviation of the ‘Job Vacancies’ variable. It is thus optimal according to Neyman-Tschuprow. The largest enterprises (= those of the highest stratum) in each section from B to S are sampled in full.
The sampled enterprises are randomly distributed across the quarter’s 13 reporting weeks in which the survey is to be concluded.
Retention/renewal of sampling units
The sample is subject to a rotation principle: Every quarter, one fourth of the sampled enterprises (except for the highest size class in each section) is replaced by other enterprises in order to reduce the burden on respondents in smaller enterprises. The highest size class thus includes approx. 3,200 enterprises which remain in the sample on a permanent basis.
Sample size
6810 enterprises on average.
1st quarter: 6828
2nd quarter: 6787
3rd quarter: 6776
4th quarter: 6848
Stratification
18 NACE Rev. 2 sections x up to 6 size classes
Other sources
Maintenance agency
Not applicable
Updating frequency
Not applicable
Rules for clearance (of outdated information)
Not applicable
Voluntary/compulsory reporting and sanctions
The participation in the survey is voluntary
Remarks
3.2. Frequency of data collection
Reference dates
Sampled enterprises are randomly distributed across the quarter’s 13 reporting weeks in which the survey is to be concluded.
3.3. Data collection
Brief description of the data collection method(s)
Remarks
The data are collected via telephone interviews and a web questionnaire. While most of the survey is conducted either by phone or web, the questionnaire can also be returned by e-mail to Statistics Austria upon completion.
3.4. Data validation
Data is checked by class size.
3.5. Data compilation
Brief description of the weighting method
Weighting dimensions
Weighting is performed by using auxiliary information and ratio estimation. That means that the number of job vacancies in each stratum (NACE Rev. 2 crossed with size class) is multiplied by a grossing-up weight resulting from the quotient of the number of employed persons in the population divided by the number of employed persons in the sample. Employed figures (quarterly average) are extracted from the business register (i.e. indirectly from the Federation of Social Insurances). For the NACE Rev.2 sections C, F, G, H, I and M a second extrapolation step is performed, using data from the Public Employment Service (AMS).
Strata
3.6. Adjustment
See information on seasonal adjustment in point 6.4.
4.1. Quality assurance
The number of job vacancies recorded by Statistics Austria and their reported registration to the Public Employment Service (AMS) are compared to the actual administrative data of the AMS.
4.2. Quality management - assessment
The population consists of all active companies in NACE sections B to S, which had registered at least one employee within the last three months. Based on the number of employees, the sample is divided into 18 sections (B to S) and three to six size classes within these sections, totaling at 83 strata. The selected companies are randomly distributed across the 13 reporting weeks of a quarter, during which the survey is to be completed.
From 2009 to 2019, the sample size of approximately 6,000 companies was divided proportionally among 83 strata based on the product of the current number of companies and an estimate of the standard deviation of the variable “job vacancies.” It was optimal in the sense of Neyman-Tschuprow.
Since the first quarter of 2019, the quarterly sampling process takes the four most recent projections into account. Within each section B to S, the largest companies (companies in the highest stratum) are selected in full. The approximately 3,200 companies remain permanently in the sample. The rest of the sample is subject to the rotation: from quarter to quarter, one quarter of the companies are replaced by other companies in order to reduce the burden on smaller companies.
Since the fourth quarter of 2023, when drawing the sample, additional consideration has been given to ensuring that the smallest stratum contains at least eight companies and an expected weight lower than 500. This approach is intended to prevent high weights leading to increased sampling errors and outliers.
Approximately half of the companies participate in the survey via telephone interview. For this reason, training and supervision of the telephone studio interviewers is carried out on an ongoing basis.
5.1. Relevance - User Needs
Description of users and their respective needs with respect to the statistical data
Remarks
Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy:
Job Vacancies per quarter;
Employees per quarter;
Average per year.
Public Employment Service Austria.
National Press.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Extent to which the needs of national users are satisfied (voluntary)
Remarks
5.3. Completeness
Description of missing variables and missing breakdowns of the variables
Report progress on the implementation measures regarding quarterly job vacancies statistics of Regulation (EC) No 453/2008, including :
a detailed plan and timetable for completing implementation
a summary of the remaining deviations from EU concepts
There are no missing variables concerning the regulation.
There are no deviations from EU concepts.
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%.
6.1. Accuracy - overall
Not applicable.
6.2. Sampling error
See 6.2.1.
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Coefficient of variation (taking into account the sampling design) or estimated sampling error for the number of job vacancies (see guidelines).
The standard errors and coefficients of variations were calculated with SAS CLAN.
NACE sector
1st quarter
2nd quarter
3rd quarter
4th quarter
B-S
4,7
4,3
4,2
4,3
B
22,5
36,3
22,9
28,5
C
8,2
10,4
10,3
11,0
D
28,0
19,5
20,7
25,0
E
24,9
31,3
38,3
22,4
F
12,6
9,4
9,7
10,5
G
16,1
14,9
13,0
15,4
H
22,5
23,7
20,2
21,5
I
9,5
11,4
11,8
10,8
J
19,6
21,1
37,0
15,2
K
14,9
14,8
15,6
17,0
L
30,5
46,7
47,9
48,3
M
15,0
10,5
11,6
12,8
N
13,1
15,5
13,7
13,6
O
15,4
16,3
20,5
17,3
P
20,0
25,1
14,1
19,0
Q
18,9
12,6
10,8
10,6
R
22,7
34,9
34,5
38,9
S
19,3
21,2
20,6
24,5
6.3. Non-sampling error
Information on variables with non-negligible measurement and processing errors
Information on main sources of (non-negligible) measurement and processing errors and, if available, on methods applied for correction
Estimation bias: An assessment of the non-sampling errors, in terms of the absolute number of vacant posts, for the total number of job vacancies and, where possible, for aggregation level of NACE Rev. 2 specified in Annex 1 to this Regulation and size classes (1-9, 10 + employees).
Remarks
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
6.3.1. Coverage error
Description of any difference between the reference population and the study population
Description of classification errors
Description of any difference between the reference dates and the reference quarter
Any other relevant information
Not relevant
Start-ups without employees but looking for staff are slightly undercovered. With regard to classification, the business register shows weaknesses in ÖNACE 2008 activities O to S. These weaknesses were separately analysed under a contract with Eurostat (No. 10201.2008.002-2008).
There are no such differences known.
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
6.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
6.3.3. Non response error
See 6.3.3.1.
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Unit response rate
1st quarter: 83.1%;
2nd quarter: 82.0%;
3rd quarter: 83.6%;
4th quarter: 81.9%.
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.4. Processing error
See below.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate
Item imputation rate and methods and, where possible, the effect of imputation on the estimates for the variables transmitted
There is no imputation needed, because there is no item-non-response.
6.3.5. Model assumption error
If modelling is used, include a description of the models used. Particular emphasis should be given to models for imputation or grossing-up to correct for unit non-response.
No model is used.
6.4. Seasonal adjustment
Brief description of seasonal adjustment procedures, in particular with regard to the European Statistical System guidelines on seasonal adjustment which have been endorsed and supported by the SPC.
Quarterly transmission include fully adjusted time series beginning with Q1 2010. Seasonal adjustment using X-13-ARIMA method.
Provide a revision history, including the revisions in the published number of job vacancies and a summary of the reasons for the revisions.
Not relevant
6.6.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
7.1. Timeliness
See below.
7.1.1. Time lag - first result
Information on the time span between the release of data at national level and the reference period of the data.
Data is released at national level approx. 6 weeks after the end of the reference quarter.
7.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
7.2. Punctuality
See below.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Deadlines for the respondents to reply, also covering recalls and follow-ups
Period of the fieldwork
Period of data processing
Dates of publication of first results
Remarks
The enterprises are asked to complete the web questionnaire within the three days from Monday to Wednesday in their respective reporting weeks. If they do not respond within this time frame, they are contacted again on Thursday to conduct the interview via telephone. Should the respondents then wish to answer via e-mail or the web questionnaire, they are asked to answer within two weeks.
2024 Q1: 1st January 2024 until 31st March 2024
2024 Q2: 1st April 2024 until 30th June 2024
2024 Q3: 1st July 2024 until 30th September 2024
2024 Q4: 1st October 2024 until 31st December 2024
End of fieldwork until publication of first results
2024 Q1: 8th May 2024
2024 Q2: 1st August 2024
2024 Q3: 7th November 2024
2024 Q4: 6th February 2025
8.1. Comparability - geographical
Information on differences between national and European concepts, and — to the extent possible — their effects on the estimation.
The Austrian results are comparable with other countries as there are no differences between the Austrian and the European concepts.
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time
Information on changes in definitions, coverage and methods in any two consecutive quarters, and their effects on the estimation.
Remarks
There is a break in the time series between Q4 2013 and Q1 2014, since data from Q1 2014 on has been backcasted due to a change in the questionnaire and the method of extrapolation.
Additional information to be provided for the FIRST Quality Report
Description of the sources used for the back data and the methodology employed
Not applicable
Description of any differences between the coverage (economic activities, employees, variables) of the back data and that of the current data
Not applicable
Description of the comparability of the back data and the current data
Not applicable
Remarks
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series
See 8.2.
8.3. Coherence - cross domain
Comparisons of data on the number of vacant jobs from other relevant sources when available, in total and broken down by NACE at section level when relevant, and reasons if the values differ considerably.
The Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) offers enterprises the option of reporting job vacancies to approximately 100 regional offices. The AMS then provides free placement services to eligible candidates. The job vacancy survey also asked employers whether they had reported vacancies to the AMS. The AMS identifies job vacancies according to several characteristics: Though comparison with the present job vacancy survey is possible for the NACE 2008 sections, it shows that the sampling error is rather high in some figures of the job vacancy survey.
The comparison between the JVS occupied posts and the LFS number of employees together with the Beveridge curve are in the attached file.
Description of and references for metadata provided
References for core methodological documents relating to the statistics provided
Description of main actions carried out by the national statistical services to inform users about the data
Remarks
There is an overall metadata report available (in German) for the job vacancy survey since the 1st quarter 2009 at the website of Statistics Austria.
Methodological aspects are included in the metadata report.
The main results are included in the quarterly press releases and quarterly and yearly publications of labour market statistics. There is also a yearly press release for job vacancies. The data is available at the website of Statistics Austria (quarterly update), there is also detailed metadata provided.
Dates for press and data releases are made available in a calendar at the website.
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations
Not applicable.
Average cost per unit 10 Euro. There are no administrative costs included.
Average duration of questionnaire response 6 minutes per unit.
11.1. Confidentiality - policy
Pursuant to Austria’s Federal Statistics Act (Bundesstatistikgesetz) 2000, § 19 paragraphs 2 and 3, publications are subject to Statistics Austria’s tried and tested practice of primary and secondary non-disclosure.
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Disclosure rules: Brief description of when data have to be deleted for reasons of confidentiality
All information made available to Statistics Austria in the course of the survey has been treated with strict confidentiality. Identification of the reporting units was only accessible to the relevant persons in charge for the following purposes:
To monitor compliance with obligatory provision of information;
A 'job vacancy' is defined as a paid post that is newly created, unoccupied, or about to become vacant:
for which the employer is taking active steps and is prepared to take further steps to find a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise concerned; and
which the employer intends to fill either immediately or within a specific period of time.
‘Active steps to find a suitable candidate’ include:
notifying the job vacancy to the public employment services,
contacting a private employment agency/head hunters,
advertising the vacancy in the media (for example internet, newspapers, magazines),
advertising the vacancy on a public notice board,
approaching, interviewing or selecting possible candidates/potential recruits directly,
approaching employees and/or personal contacts,
using internships.
'Specific period of time’ refers to the maximum time the vacancy is open and intended to be filled. That period shall be unlimited; all vacancies for which active steps are continuing on the reference date shall be reported.
An 'occupied post’ means a paid post within the organisation to which an employee has been assigned.
Enterprise.
Enterprises with one and more employees.
The whole territory of the country.
Not Applicable
Not applicable.
Not Applicable
Brief description of the weighting method
Weighting dimensions
Weighting is performed by using auxiliary information and ratio estimation. That means that the number of job vacancies in each stratum (NACE Rev. 2 crossed with size class) is multiplied by a grossing-up weight resulting from the quotient of the number of employed persons in the population divided by the number of employed persons in the sample. Employed figures (quarterly average) are extracted from the business register (i.e. indirectly from the Federation of Social Insurances). For the NACE Rev.2 sections C, F, G, H, I and M a second extrapolation step is performed, using data from the Public Employment Service (AMS).
Strata
Identification of the source of the data
Continuous sample survey for the number of job vacancies. Statistics based on secondary data for the number of persons employed.
Coverage
Geographical
The whole territory of the country is included in the survey
NACE
NACE B to S
Enterprise size
Enterprises with at least one employee
Definition of the statistical unit
The statistical unit is the enterprise
Remarks
Sampling design
Base used for the sample
Statistics Austria’s Business Register is used as the base for the sample. The frame population consists of approximately 250,000 enterprises in Austria with at least one employee.
Sampling design
The survey’s underlying sample of approx. 6,000 enterprises per quarter is stratified by NACE Rev. 2 sections (18 sections) and further by size classes (no more than six) for the number of employees (average across the end of month levels in the previous quarter).
The sample size of approx. 6,000 businesses is broken down into 83 strata in proportion to the product of the current number of enterprises and an estimated standard deviation of the ‘Job Vacancies’ variable. It is thus optimal according to Neyman-Tschuprow. The largest enterprises (= those of the highest stratum) in each section from B to S are sampled in full.
The sampled enterprises are randomly distributed across the quarter’s 13 reporting weeks in which the survey is to be concluded.
Retention/renewal of sampling units
The sample is subject to a rotation principle: Every quarter, one fourth of the sampled enterprises (except for the highest size class in each section) is replaced by other enterprises in order to reduce the burden on respondents in smaller enterprises. The highest size class thus includes approx. 3,200 enterprises which remain in the sample on a permanent basis.
Sample size
6810 enterprises on average.
1st quarter: 6828
2nd quarter: 6787
3rd quarter: 6776
4th quarter: 6848
Stratification
18 NACE Rev. 2 sections x up to 6 size classes
Other sources
Maintenance agency
Not applicable
Updating frequency
Not applicable
Rules for clearance (of outdated information)
Not applicable
Voluntary/compulsory reporting and sanctions
The participation in the survey is voluntary
Remarks
Not Applicable
See below.
Information on differences between national and European concepts, and — to the extent possible — their effects on the estimation.
The Austrian results are comparable with other countries as there are no differences between the Austrian and the European concepts.
Information on changes in definitions, coverage and methods in any two consecutive quarters, and their effects on the estimation.
Remarks
There is a break in the time series between Q4 2013 and Q1 2014, since data from Q1 2014 on has been backcasted due to a change in the questionnaire and the method of extrapolation.
Additional information to be provided for the FIRST Quality Report
Description of the sources used for the back data and the methodology employed
Not applicable
Description of any differences between the coverage (economic activities, employees, variables) of the back data and that of the current data
Not applicable
Description of the comparability of the back data and the current data
