Question

Most people have heard of the unemployment rate, but not so many know where it comes from. Does the rate simply represent the number of people claiming Employment Insurance (EI)? It turns out that would be an underestimation of the number of people unemployed, since many people are unemployed but ineligible for EI. Instead, Statistics Canada conducts the Labour Force Survey, interviewing people to find out their employment status and then estimating the unemployment rate for the whole country. During the second half of every month, Statistics Canada analysts survey about 50,000 households, analyze the responses, and report the results. The most widely publicized number from this survey is the unemployment rate, but the survey covers much other information; for example, shifts of employees from one industry to another, hours worked, and demographic information about employees including age, sex,

marital status, education level, and province or territory of residence. Answer the following questions:

a) State the objectives of the survey.
b) What is the population of interest?

Answer 1

The Labour Force Survey aims to provide a comprehensive view of the labor market, measuring the unemployment rate and collecting data on shifts in employment, economic activity, and worker demographics. It targets the entire working-age population eligible to participate in the labor force, inclusive of employment status.

Step-by-step explanation:

Objectives of the labour survey

The primary objective of the Labour Force Survey conducted by Statistics Canada is to provide detailed insights into various aspects of the country's labor market. This includes measuring the unemployment rate, analyzing workforce participation, and understanding shifts in employment across different industries, geographical areas, and demographics. It aims to produce a comprehensive picture of the employment landscape, such as the length of unemployment, causes for unemployment, and whether the unemployed individual is the sole earner in the family.

Population of interest

The population of interest for the Labour Force Survey encompasses all individuals who are of working age and are eligible to participate in the labor force. This includes those who are currently employed, those who are unemployed and actively seeking work, and those who are not in the labor force.