Unemployment Statistics – ‘They Are All in It Together'

Mr Clegg of the ONS kindly responds. 

Mr Collyer,

Thanks for your e-mail. Your linked piece asks about the international definition of unemployment, which we use in our labour market statistics. These are specified by the International Labour Organisation. The guidelines are followed by most countries including all EU member states and the United States. This ensures that unemployment statistics are internationally comparable. These guidelines specify that jobless people who are not seeking work and/or not available to work should not be included in unemployment statistics.

http://www.ilo.org/global/statistics-and-databases/standards-and-guidelines/resolutions-adopted-by-international-conferences-of-labour-statisticians/WCMS_230304/lang--en/index.htm

 Richard Clegg

Head of Statistical Reporting & Labour Disputes Branch

Labour Market & Households Division

Office for National Statistics