劳动力调查参与度下降：证据、驱动因素和解决方案（英）

Eroding Participationin Labor ForceSurveys: Evidence,Drivers and Solutions Eurydice Fotopoulou, Lamya Kejji, Vladimir Klyuev, andMpumelelo Nxumalo WP/26/45 IMF Working Papersdescribe research inprogress by the authors and are published toelicit comments and to encourage debate.The views expressed in IMF Working Papers arethose of the authors and do not necessarilyrepresent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board,or IMF management. 2026MAR IMF Working PaperStatistics Department Eroding Participation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, DriversandSolutionsPrepared byEurydice Fotopoulou, Lamya Kejji, Vladimir Klyuev, and MpumeleloNxumalo* Authorized for distribution byCheng Hoon LimMarch2026 IMF Working Papersdescribe research in progress by the authors and are published to elicitcomments and to encourage debate.The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of theauthors and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management. ABSTRACT:The subpar quality oflabor market data in many parts of the worldcanhindereconomicpolicymaking.Thechallenge is exacerbated by asecular decline in response rates to labor force surveys(LFS)observed innumerouscountries, which is also captured partially inlabor market data issues flagged intheIMF’s Data Adequacy Assessments.This paperdocumentsthe evolution ofLFSresponse ratesin severalcountriesand explores factorsaffectingit.By creating a new dataset of LFS characteristics for 39mostlyadvancedeconomies,we find thatthose with voluntary survey participation have seen the response rateserode1.5percentage pointsper year on average,while the rates have been broadly stable in those withmandatory participation.Wealso findthat surveydata collection modalitiesmay affect the response rate.Finally, the paperlooks into the effectiveness ofvarious ways in which statistical offices anddatausershavetried to address thechallenges, including adjusting surveymethodologyand utilizingnon-traditional data. RECOMMENDED CITATION:Fotopoulou, E., Kejji, L., Klyuev, V., and Nxumalo, M. (2026). ErodingParticipation in Labor Force Surveys: Evidence, Drivers and Solutions. International Monetary Fund.WP/25/45 Eroding Participation in LaborForce Surveys: Evidence, Drivers,Solutions Prepared byEurydice Fotopoulou, Lamya Kejji, Vladimir Klyuev, andMpumeleloNxumalo Contents Glossary................................................................................................................................................................3Executive Summary..............................................................................................................................................41.Introduction..............................................................................................................................................52.Labor Market Data Gaps: Insights from the IMF’s Data Adequacy Assessments...................................73.Response RatestoLabor Force Surveys................................................................................................94.Addressing the Challenges....................................................................................................................145.Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................20Annex I. Benchmarking the Quality of Official Labor Statistics...........................................................................22Annex II. Labor Force Survey Response Rate Calculation and Sampling Overview..........................................25Annex III. Data....................................................................................................................................................27Annex IV. Evolution of LFS Response Rates......................................................................................................30Annex V. Regression Analysis............................................................................................................................31Annex VI. Alternative Sources of Labor Market Data..........................................................................................36References..........................................................................................................................................................38 BOXES Box 1. Traditional Sources of Labor Market Data…………………………………………………………………..…...5Box 2. Adaptive Survey DesignExamples..………………………………………………………………………........16Box 3. Traditional and Non-traditional Data for Policy………………………………………………………………….18 FIGURES Figure 1. DAA Listing Labor Data Gaps, Percent, by Region and Income Group……………………………..…….8Figure 2. Change in LFS Response Rate, Percentage Points………………………………………………………...11Figure 3. Evolution of LFS Response Rates…………………………………………………………………..………..12Figure 4. Luxembourg LFS Response Rate, Percent………………………………………………………