DOI: 10.18712/nsd-nsd2860-v2
title: Labour Force Survey Panel 2nd Quarter 2018 - 1st Quarter 2020

description: Labour Force Survey Panel 2nd Quarter 2018 - 1st Quarter 2020

As of the 1st quarter of 1972, SSB has conducted official quarterly labour force surveys (AKU). These surveys aim to give the labour force authorities (and other people interested) knowledge of the occupational structure of the population and how it develops over time. The surveys are meant to give a foundation and statistical material for occupational prognoses and labour research.   

In 1996, AKU was significantly revised: The questionnaire, the file description and the standard for coding of industry and occupation. The data collection also changed to CATI - Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. A new classification of industry was put into use (NOS C 182, based on the EU standard NACE, Rev.1). This standard was updated in 2002 and 2007. Also, the new Norwegian standard classification of occupations (STYRK) based on ISCO 88 was used from 1996 and onwards. The variable indicating socio-economic status was omitted, as a similar variable was not developed in the new occupational classification.   

Every second quarter AKU is extended with a number of questions to collect data accordant to Eurostats / EUs spesifications. From 1996, the rotation schedule changed, each family now attends eight consecutive quarters. As of 1996 the selection shedule was changed as well with stratification at the county level.

Summary of AKU panels with detailed explanations for panel files:
Data collection for the new rotation plan as the basis for this file is shown below. Participants in the 4th quarter of 1997 is the first batch of 8 possible completed interviews.
           
Pool      |2012|2013|2014|2015|2016|2017|2018|2019|
Quarte |1234|1234|1234|1234|1234|1234|1234|1234|    
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------        
            |____|____|__XX|XXXX|XX__|____|____|____|                2016, 2    
            |____|____|___X|XXXX|XXX_|____|____|____|                2016, 3
            |____|____|____|XXXX|XXXX|____|____|____|                2016, 4            
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
            |____|____|____|_XXX|XXXX|X___|____|____|                2017, 1         
            |____|____|____|__XX|XXXX|XX__|____|____|                2017, 2
            |____|____|____|___X|XXXX|XXX_|____|____|                2017, 3
            |____|____|____|____|XXXX|XXXX|____|____|                2017, 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
            |____|____|____|____|____|_XXX|XXXX|X___|                2019, 1   
 
Panel files are created by linking eight interviews from an ordinary interview round of the Labour Force Survey. In the table above means that one could connect all the batches (lines) marked X. Participation 8 times used as a criterion for selection.

Annual files and quarterly files consist of respondents who are participating for 1st time, 2nd time, and so on. The weights allow such cross-sections (columns) can be balanced with national figures. If 4 quarters is merged into an annual volume, the quarterly weights be divided by four to attain correct weighted annual numbers.

Each panel (panel files: horisontal in the table) will have a weight compiled for each quarter. Although the weights do not differ much from each other, they will be compiled independently, and each weight should be used only for the data which the quarterly weight is made for. Weighted numbers is valid for one pool, which means ca 12,5 % (1/8) of a total quarterly selection. Therefore, one must multiply by 8 to approximate national quarterly figures

By "Approximate national quarterly figures" it means that differences from the quarterly national weighted figures can appear, because of the selections and whitdrawal in the connection of the panels. Because of the whitdrawal inflated numbers will be lower than the national total figures. The main point of the weights is not to is not to give national totals, but rather to ensure the best possible representation.  

Statistics Norway is now utilising a new estimating method for the Labour Force Survey that includes more registers than earlier. The implementation of a new estimating method result in a lower number of employees than the earlier method and accordingly that the number of persons outside the labour force is higher. The total number of unemployed does not change a lot with the new method. In order to obtain more comparable numbers, the entire time series have been revised from 2006 and onwards.