Employment rate of Belarusians aged 15-74 at 67.6% in Q2

MINSK, 23 July (BelTA) – The employment rate of the Belarusian population aged 15-74 stood at 67.6% in Q2 2021, and the unemployment rate in line with the methodology of the International Labor Organization amounted to 4% of the labor force. These are the outcomes of a sample survey of households conducted by the National Statistical Committee, BelTA informs.

The level of employment and unemployment of women is 63.8% and 3.3%, respectively (men 72% and 4.7%). If we compare the urban and rural population, the unemployment rate among the former is slightly higher (4.1% vs 3.5%).

Most of the employed persons were in the age group of 25 to 50 years old. The employment among people with higher education was slightly higher than among those with vocational diplomas.

The above-mentioned household survey is carried out in accordance with the ILO methodology on a quarterly basis among the population aged from 15 to 74 inclusive. It helps to collect information on the size of the labor force, the employed, unemployed and non-labor by sex, age, level of education and other demographic and socio-economic indicators.

The lower age limit is determined in accordance with the UN recommendations: a minimum age for admission to employment or work must not be less than 15 years. The survey sets no upper limit and records all cases of economic activity.

The sample survey included randomly selected residents of all the regions and the city of Minsk – a total of 0.8% of all households. The results of the survey were then generalized to the entire population of the appropriate age.

The National Statistical Committee explained the difference between this method and the assessment based on state statistical observations, polls, and administrative data. A sample survey studies the working population by the place of residence, not by the place of work. This means that such a survey takes into account people who are absent from work due to a vacation, a pregnancy leave, or a parental leave as well as people undergoing military service or working abroad.