Definition

Long-term unemployment is here defined as referring to people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. The ratios calculated here show the proportion of these long-term unemployed among all unemployed, hereafter called long-term unemployment rates. Lower duration limits (e.g. six months or more) are sometimes considered in national statistics on the subject.

Unemployment is defined in most OECD countries in accordance with the ILO Guidelines. Unemployment is usually measured by household labour force surveys and the unemployed are defined as those persons who report that they have worked in gainful employment for less than one hour in the previous week, who are available for work and who have taken actions to seek employment in the previous four weeks. The ILO Guidelines specify the kinds of actions that count as seeking work.

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