Outline of the Labour Force Survey Outline of the Labour Force Survey 1. The purpose of the Labour Force Survey is to elucidate the current state of employment and unemployment in this country every month. The survey has been conducted every month since September 1946. The universe of the survey is composed of all persons 15 years old and over usually residing in this country.
Actual enumeration takes place every month on a sample basis.
About 100 thousand persons usually residing in about 40 thousand households are selected and enumerated. The survey is conducted as of the last day of each month, however, in December it is done as of the 26th. The reference period for the employment status is one week ending on the last day of each month except December for which it is one week from 20th to 26th. The enumerators visit all the selected households and ask them to fill out the Labour Force Survey Questionnaires. After the survey week, the enumerators visit the households again, and collect the questionnaires after checking the entries on the spot.