Labour force survey, seasonally-adjusted figures, November 2007

Adjusted for seasonal variations, the Labour Force Survey (LFS) shows that the number of employed increased by 40 000 or 1.6 per cent from August (as measured by the average of the three months from July to September) to November (as measured by the average of the three months from October to December). The strong growth comes from both a general increase in labour force participation and immigration, especially from the new EU countries in Eastern Europe. The latter is due to increased immigration in general, and to the fact that a larger part of the immigrants are allowed to stay for more than six months, which means that they are included in the LFS from the first day of stay. Statistics Norway publishes figures for employees on short-term stay in the fourth quarter of each year. These statistics use different public registers, and the figures for the fourth quarter of 2007 will be published in June 2008.

Unemployment unchanged

The unemployment rate stood at 2.5 per cent of the labour force in November (as measured by the average of the three months from October to December), the same as in August (as measured by the average of the three months from July to September). However, because of sampling errors in the LFS, a small increase or decrease cannot be ruled out. Seasonally adjusted figures of people registered unemployed and on government measures to promote employment with the Labour and Welfare Organisation (NAV) showed a decrease in employment of 2 000 in the same period. While the number of registered unemployed with NAV has declined throughout 2007, the number of unemployed in the LFS remained stable from the summer of 2007 to the end of 2007. The LFS also showed a decrease in registered unemployed with NAV, but it also showed an increase in unemployed persons not found in the NAV register. The majority of these persons are young people in education.

Man-weeks worked

From August (as measured by the average of the three months from July to September) to November (as measured by the average of the three months from October to December) the average number of man-weeks (37.5 hours) worked each week decreased by 28 000 adjusted for seasonal variations.

Unemployment down in many countries, but up in the US and Sweden

There was a decrease in unemployment in many countries during the period, including Denmark, France and Germany. In the US and Sweden, however, unemployment rose. All figures refer to seasonally adjusted data from Eurostat .

Tables:

• Table 1. Employment and unemployment for persons aged 16-74 years, seasonally adjusted, three-months moving average. Absolute figures in 1000 and unemployed persons in per cent of the labour force.