## Eroding Participation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, Drivers and Solutions

_IMF Working Papers, March 6, 2026_

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## Bibliographic details
- 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

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### Study overview
- 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.

### Main findings
- Response-rate trends:
  - Countries with voluntary survey participation have seen response rates erode 1.5 percentage points per year on average.
  - Response rates have been broadly stable in countries with mandatory participation.
- Data collection modalities:
  - Survey data collection modalities may affect the response rate (specific modalities and effects are documented in the paper).
- Data-quality implications:
  - The secular decline in LFS response rates exacerbates subpar quality of labor market data and can hinder economic policymaking.
  - Declining participation is partially reflected in labor market data issues flagged in the IMF’s Data Adequacy Assessments.

### Drivers explored
- Legal framework for participation:
  - Voluntary vs mandatory survey participation is associated with divergent response-rate trajectories.
- Survey characteristics:
  - The authors compiled a new dataset of LFS characteristics for 39 mostly advanced economies to analyze correlates of response-rate changes.
- External context:
  - The paper notes interaction with COVID-19 as a subject and includes COVID-19 among listed topics influencing data collection and labor-market measurement.

### Policy responses and solutions examined
- Adjusting survey methodology:
  - Statistical offices have adjusted survey methodology to address declining response rates (specific methodological adjustments are discussed in the paper).
- Utilizing non-traditional data:
  - The paper examines the use of non-traditional data sources as a way for data users and statistical offices to mitigate survey participation declines.
- Effectiveness assessment:
  - The paper looks into the effectiveness of various measures statistical offices and data users have tried to address the challenges.

### Thematic tags and keywords
- 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

*IMF Working Papers. Eroding Participation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, Drivers and Solutions; March 6, 2026; Working Paper No. 2026/045.*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2026/03/07/eroding-participation-in-labor-force-surveys-evidence-drivers-and-solutions-574292_