{
  "title": "Eroding Participation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, Drivers and Solutions",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, March 6, 2026",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2026/03/07/eroding-participation-in-labor-force-surveys-evidence-drivers-and-solutions-574292",
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  "summary": "The subpar quality of labor market data in many parts of the world can hinder economic policymaking. The challenge is exacerbated by a secular decline in response rates to labor force surveys (LFS) observed in numerous countries, which is also captured partially in labor market data issues flagged i",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Study overview",
      "content": "- Title: Eroding Participation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, Drivers and Solutions\n- Authors: Eurydice Fotopoulou, Lamya Kejji, Vladimir Klyuev, Mpumelelo Nxumalo\n- Publication: IMF Working Papers, Working Paper No. 2026/045\n- Date: March 6, 2026\n- Pages: 46\n- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229038973.001\n- ISBN: 9798229038973\n- ISSN: 1018-5941\n- Scope: Documents evolution of labor force survey (LFS) response rates across multiple countries; creates a new dataset of LFS characteristics for 39 mostly advanced economies; evaluates drivers of response-rate erosion and mitigation options."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Main findings",
      "content": "- Response-rate trends:\n  - Countries with voluntary survey participation have seen response rates erode 1.5 percentage points per year on average.\n  - Response rates have been broadly stable in countries with mandatory participation.\n- Data collection modalities:\n  - Survey data collection modalities may affect the response rate (specific modalities and effects are documented in the paper).\n- Data-quality implications:\n  - The secular decline in LFS response rates exacerbates subpar quality of labor market data and can hinder economic policymaking.\n  - Declining participation is partially reflected in labor market data issues flagged in the IMF’s Data Adequacy Assessments."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Drivers explored",
      "content": "- Legal framework for participation:\n  - Voluntary vs mandatory survey participation is associated with divergent response-rate trajectories.\n- Survey characteristics:\n  - The authors compiled a new dataset of LFS characteristics for 39 mostly advanced economies to analyze correlates of response-rate changes.\n- External context:\n  - The paper notes interaction with COVID-19 as a subject and includes COVID-19 among listed topics influencing data collection and labor-market measurement."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Policy responses and solutions examined",
      "content": "- Adjusting survey methodology:\n  - Statistical offices have adjusted survey methodology to address declining response rates (specific methodological adjustments are discussed in the paper).\n- Utilizing non-traditional data:\n  - The paper examines the use of non-traditional data sources as a way for data users and statistical offices to mitigate survey participation declines.\n- Effectiveness assessment:\n  - The paper looks into the effectiveness of various measures statistical offices and data users have tried to address the challenges."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Thematic tags and keywords",
      "content": "- Subject areas: COVID-19, Data collection, Economic and financial statistics, Employment, Health, Labor, Labor force, Labor force participation, Labor markets\n- Keywords: Big Data, COVID-19, Data collection, data user, Employment, Eurydice Fotopoulou, IMF working papers, Labor force, Labor force participation, labor market data, Labor Markets, Monetary Policy, National Statistics, response rate, Sub-Saharan Africa, Survey Methodology, Unemployment\n\nIMF Working Papers. Eroding Participation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, Drivers and Solutions; March 6, 2026; Working Paper No. 2026/045.\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- Working Paper\n  - Working Paper (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n  - Working Paper (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n\n---\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2026/03/07/eroding-participation-in-labor-force-surveys-evidence-drivers-and-solutions-574292"
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    "Authors: Eurydice Fotopoulou, Lamya Kejji, Vladimir Klyuev, Mpumelelo Nxumalo",
    "Published: March 6, 2026",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229038973.001",
    "Title: Eroding Participation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, Drivers and Solutions",
    "Authors: Eurydice Fotopoulou, Lamya Kejji, Vladimir Klyuev, Mpumelelo Nxumalo",
    "Publication: IMF Working Papers, Working Paper No. 2026/045",
    "Date: March 6, 2026",
    "Pages: 46",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229038973.001",
    "ISBN: 9798229038973",
    "ISSN: 1018-5941",
    "Scope: Documents evolution of labor force survey (LFS) response rates across multiple countries; creates a new dataset of LFS characteristics for 39 mostly advanced economies; evaluates drivers of response-rate erosion and mitigation options.",
    "Response-rate trends:",
    "Data collection modalities:",
    "Data-quality implications:",
    "Legal framework for participation:",
    "Survey characteristics:",
    "External context:",
    "Adjusting survey methodology:",
    "Utilizing non-traditional data:",
    "Effectiveness assessment:",
    "Subject areas: COVID-19, Data collection, Economic and financial statistics, Employment, Health, Labor, Labor force, Labor force participation, Labor markets",
    "Keywords: Big Data, COVID-19, Data collection, data user, Employment, Eurydice Fotopoulou, IMF working papers, Labor force, Labor force participation, labor market data, Labor Markets, Monetary Policy, National Statistics, response rate, Sub-Saharan Africa, Survey Methodology, Unemployment",
    "**Working Paper**"
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