Definition: Unemployed

Category: ILO terminology

The "unemployed" comprise all persons above a specified age who during the reference period were:

(a) "without work", i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment;

(b) "currently available for work", i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and

(c) "seeking work", i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or selfemployment. The specific steps may include registration at a public or private employment exchange; application to employers; checking at worksites, farms, factory gates, market or other assembly places; placing or answering newspaper advertisements; seeking assistance of friends or relatives; looking for land, building, machinery or equipment to establish own enterprise; arranging for financial resources; applying for permits and licences, etc. http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/download/res/ecacpop.pdf