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Labour Force Survey
The survey of the Labour Force in the Emirate of Dubai carried out by DSC periodically is one of the key households surveys conducted annually by DSC as part of its strategic plan. The survey was previously designed to estimate the size of the workforce and the various key indicators on employment and unemployment, but this year DSC wanted to achieve holistic and integrated objectives out of the survey, key of which are providing updated statistical data about the demographic, social, and economic aspects of the population in general and about labour force and the economically-active population in particular.
  • Metadata

  • Reports

  • Methodology

1.1
Contact organization
Dubai Statistics Center
1.2
Contact organization unit
Population Statistics Section
1.3
Contact name
Corporate Communication & Customer Service Section
1.4
Contact person function
Customer Care
1.5
Contact mail address
P.O. Box: 121222 Dubai, UAE
1.6
Contact email address
info@dsc.gov.ae
1.7
Contact phone number
800 DSC (372)
1.8
Contact fax number
009714 4290232
2.1
Metadata last certified
08/10/2019
2.2
Metadata last posted
11/06/2020
2.3
Metadata last update
08/10/2019
3.1
Data description
The key objectives of this survey are to obtain detailed data about the different characteristics of the population and the human forces in general, and about the economically-active population (labour force) and their characteristics in particular. In addition, this survey also provides data through which the demographic, social, and economic variables and characteristics are linked to each other in a way that enables policymaking as well as development of plans and programs for the labour market and labour force for both Emiratis and non-Emiratis in the Emirate of Dubai. 
Through the collected data, the following could be measured: 
1. Identifying the various demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the population and labour force, including participation rates in economic activity. 
2. Identifying the professional occupation and economic activity of the employed individuals as well as their employment status. 
3. Measuring unemployment rates according to different characteristics. 
4. Providing data on employed and unemployed individuals by qualification and educational fields. 
5. Identifying the key ways and methods followed by the unemployed individual to look for a job. 
6. Identifying changes in these variables over the years. 
Main Subjects of Main Statistical Outputs: 
• Employed Individuals 15 years and above 
• Unemployed Individuals 15 years and above 
• Labour Force "Economically Active" Individuals 15 years and above 
• Outside Labour Force "Non-Economically Active" Individuals 15 years and above 
• Population 15 years and above 
• Housewives 15 years and above 
• Main labour force indicators 

3.2
Classification
All relevant fields were encoded using the most universally-used international classifications used at DSC, such as: 
• Classification of Countries and Nationalities (UN 2014)
• International Standard Classification of Education Fields of Education and Training, (ISCED-F 2013) 
• International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO 08) 
• The International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, Rev. 4 (ISIC 4.0)

3.3
Sector coverage
Households, including habitual and collective households residing within the geographical boundaries of the Emirate of Dubai, and members of labour camps. 
3.4
Statistical concepts and definitions
LFS definitions follow most updated recommendations of the International Labour Organisation, and below are the main definitions: 

Labour Force (Economically-Active) Individuals: They are adults who are (15) years and above, whether employed or unemployed at the time of the interview. 

Employed: Individuals whose age is (15) years and above who are practicing a job at the public or private sector or at any other sector, whether paid in cash or kind, provided the number of working hours during the seven days preceded the interview should not be less than one hour. 

Unemployed: Individuals whose age is (15) years and above who can work but not working, searching for a job but could not find, or was promised to be given an opportunity for a job, and who are ready to work if given the chance to. 

Outside Labour Force (Non-Economically Active): These are adults of +15 years old, for whom the aforementioned definition of employed and unemployed does not apply. This group is (out of the labor force). It includes (the elderly, disabled, full time students, house wives, those unable to work, and those unwilling to work....). This does not include individuals who are below the minimum age of employment (15) years.


3.5
Statistical unit
Households & Individuals 
3.6
Statistical population
The targeted groups in the survey are the individuals who habitually reside in the Emirate of Dubai, in households (Emirati and non-Emirati households), while residents in labour camps were not targeted this year, as they are targeted every two years. While demographic data are gathered for all age groups, questions related to economic activity status are restricted to persons in the age group of 15 years and above.
3.7
Reference area

Emirate of Dubai

3.8
Time coverage

​2008-2019

3.9
Base period
Not Applicable 
Results by main characteristics for population, labour force and outside labour force are reported as percentage distribution, and only reported in numbers to restricted entities, and subject to approvals. Some indicators are reported as rates (employment, unemployment rates). Some variables are reported in other units (ages in years, working time in hours, etc.).
 • Visit day is the time reference for the household individuals’ personal information.
• The week ended on the visit day is the time reference for the individual’s employment status (employed/ unemployed).
• Month ended on the visit day is the time reference for information on job search for unemployed individuals.
• The year ended on the visit day represent the time reference for training of individuals who are in the working age (15 years and above).

The field visits for households and data collection starts in November and ends in middle of December of the same year. It reflects the data for the year.



6.1
Legal acts and other agreements
Dubai Statistics Center specializes in the construction of a modern and comprehensive statistical system and shall be the only official source for the collection, analysis and publication of Statistical information and data in the Emirate adopting harmonized methodological international standards in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistical data. For more information, please see the law number (28) related to Dubai Statistics Center


6.2
Data sharing
Data is submitted to FCSA to calculate main indicators for UAE under agreements for no dissemination of data on Dubai Emirate level to any entity without referring back to DSC. 
7.1
Confidentiality - policy
Data confidentiality is governed by law number (28) for the year 2015 about Dubai Statistics Center, article number (9) 'Confidentiality of Statistical Data'.




8.1
Release calendar
Survey related reports are disseminated on an annual basis according to the statistical calendar displayed on DSC website and in accordance with the international GDDS statndards by end of 1st quarter of each year. 
8.2
Release calendar access
-
Annual
10.1
News release
Survey results dissemination is announced by press releases in official newspapers and through social media.
10.3
On-line database
Available under specific permissions to particular entities
10.4
Micro-data access
Micro-data are not available to public due to data confidentiality considerations. However, aggregated data are published to public
10.5
Other
DSC Smart Statistics Suite
10.6
Documentation on methodology

The project was implemented according to GSBPM where it takes into consideration statistical quality scopes according to Statistical   data quality charter for the Emirate of Dubai that is adopted by the center specially those related accuracy, objectivity and comparability, since the classifications and methodologies used make the results of this project comparable on national regional and international levels being based on international classifications and methodologies.

Click here to view Dubai Statistics Center Statistical Data Quality Framework

12.1
User needs
Support decision-makers, policy-makers and researchers to identify the following:
1. The various demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the population and labour force, including participation rates in economic activity. 
2. The professional occupation and economic activity of the employed individuals as well as their employment status. 
3. Measuring unemployment rates according to different characteristics. 
4. Providing data on employed and unemployed individuals by qualification and educational fields. Main results and indicators are provided to decision-makers and users upon request in accordance with release policy and on approved levels.
18.1
Source data
Field Surevy
18.2
Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3
Data collection
Data collected in the field using Smart Tablet PCs.
18.6
Adjustment
Different statistical methods are used for data modification and processing procedures.

For more details, please refer to survey methodology by visiting this link
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Title Description Publishing Year File Type File Size
Title Description Publishing Year File Type File Size
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