Definition

Employment rates are calculated as the ratio of the employed to the working age population. Employment is generally measured through household labour force surveys. According to the ILO Guidelines, employed persons are defined as those aged 15 or over who report that they have worked in gainful employment for at least one hour in the previous week. Those not in employment consist of persons who are classified as either unemployed or inactive, in the sense that they are not included in the labour force for reasons of study, incapacity or the need to look after young children or elderly relatives.

The working age population refers to persons aged 15 to 64. Employment rates are here shown for both total employment and for men and women separately.

For more statistics on economic, environmental and social issues visit online the OECD Factbook 2010.