Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Sweden (Ratification: 1986)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that the Government continues to regularly provide the ILO Statistics Department with updated statistics on employment, unemployment and visible underemployment, derived from the Labour Force Surveys (LFS). The Committee also notes the detailed information on the implementation of the LFS, including efforts to comply with the European Regulation 2019/1700, which required a change in the target population. The Committee welcomes the measures taken to address the break in the time series caused by this adjustment, including conducting double measurements in 2021 and applying a micro approach to link the time series for the period 2005–20. The Committee further notes that work was ongoing in 2023 to introduce a mixed-mode data collection (web and telephone) for the LFS. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated statistics as well as information on the methodology used in the application of Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on how the changes introduced in the Labour Force Survey (LFS), including the introduction of a mixed-mode data collection, impact the comparability of data over time, as well as further information on measures taken to address potential breaks in the time series. Furthermore, the Committee invites the Government to keep it informed of any developments towards implementing the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization, adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) (2013) (Resolution I); the Resolution concerning statistics on work relationships, adopted by the 20th ICLS (2018) (Resolution I); and the Resolution concerning statistics on the informal economy, adopted by the 21st ICLS (2023) (Resolution I).

Articles 9, 10 and 11. Compilation of statistics on wages and hours of work. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. Labour costs. The Committee notes that the Government continues to provide updated statistics and information regarding the compilation of statistics on wages and hours of work. The Committee notes that the Labour Cost Index (LCI), Labour Cost Survey (LCS), and Structure of Earnings Survey (SES) remaining key sources. The Government clarifies that, while wage statistics are the responsibility of the Swedish National Mediation Office (SNMO), they are produced by Statistics Sweden (SCB). The Government further specifies that short-term statistics of wages in different sectors are updated monthly, while structural wage statistics are available on an annual basis. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply updated statistics as well as information on the methodology used in the application of Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the Convention. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether and to what extent recent European regulations, including Regulation 2019/1700 and Regulation 2023/137, impact the compilation of wage statistics, in particular in terms of comparability and continuity of data over time.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee notes that the Government continues to provide the ILO Statistics Department with updated statistics on occupational injuries and diseases, for dissemination through ILOSTAT. Recalling the decision of the International Labour Conference at its 110th Session in June 2022 to include “a safe and healthy working environment” as a fundamental principle and right at work, the Committee request to the Government: (i) to continue to provide information on any development regarding the production and dissemination of statistics on occupational accidents and diseases; (ii) to continue to communicate updated relevant statistics; and (iii) to continue to communicate information regarding the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used in their collection and compilation.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes the detailed information provided in the Government’s report regarding the compilation of statistics on employment, unemployment and visible underemployment, derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which is carried out by Statistics Sweden (SCB) on a monthly basis. The Committee notes the increase in the sample size of the LFS, as well as the introduction of a new indicator in June 2014, concerning young persons who neither work nor study (NEET). The Government continues to supply data to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination through its website (ILOSTAT). In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the SCB did not conduct a population census in 2005 or 2010, but that it carried out a household and housing census in 2011. The Committee notes that census data, including information regarding methodology and the results of the household and housing census was supplied to ILOSTAT. The Committee requests that the Government continue to supply data and information on the methodology used in the application of these provisions. It also invites the Government to provide information on any plans for conducting the next population census. It also requests the Government to include information on any developments in relation to the implementation of the resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (October 2013).

Articles 9, 10 and 11. Compilation of statistics on wages and hours of work. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. Labour costs. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the Labour Cost Index (LCI), the Labour Cost Survey (LCS) and the Structure of Earnings Survey (SES). Since 2001, the responsibilities for compiling and interpreting data in relation to wage formation and for consulting with other users of wage statistics fall under the responsibility of the National Mediation Office (NMO). The Committee notes that statistics on average hours actually worked and monthly earnings, disaggregated by sex and economic activity, are regularly sent to the ILO for dissemination on ILOSTAT. The most recent data, collected through the LFS, refer to 2014. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government in relation to statistics of average earnings and hours of work, wage structure and distribution and labour cost. The Government is requested to continue to provide updated information regarding the application of these provisions of the Convention.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee notes that, as a result of a project launched in 2008, since 2012 it has been possible for work injuries to be reported electronically. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken to implement this provision of the Convention, including information regarding the impact of the introduction of electronic reporting of occupational injuries.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Article 8 of the Convention. Compilation of statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Government indicated that the population census is conducted every five years and the latest one was conducted in 2010. The Committee notes that the most recent methodological description of the Swedish population census available at the ILO dates back to 2005 (Fifth report of Government of Sweden) and refers to the 1990 population census. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide the ILO with the methodological information on the 2005 and 2010 rounds of the population census together with the web links on their results.

Article 9. Compilation of statistics of wages and hours of work. Noting the information provided by the Government, the Committee draws its attention to Resolution I[1] concerning the measurement of working time adopted by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians in November–December 2008, which defines new concepts and measures in this area of statistics.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending June 2005 and the information provided in reply to its previous comments.

In particular, the Committee notes with satisfaction that, further to the suggestion that it made in the light of the progress achieved in the compilation of statistics of labour costs, in January 2006 the Government accepted the obligations under Article 11 in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 3, of the Convention, by notification to the Director-General of the ILO.

The Committee also notes with interest the efforts made by the Government to improve the quality and coverage of the statistics compiled on household income and expenditure in accordance with Article 13.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report, and in particular the information concerning Articles 9, 10, 13, 14 and 15 of the Convention.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in reply to the previous request concerning Article 2, that in May 1996, Statistics Sweden (SCB) adopted a new system of occupational classification, Standard för svensk yrkesklassificering (SSYK), based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations, ISCO-88, thus catering for both national needs and international reporting, and that the SCB is now in the process of building up an occupational register. It further notes the Government’s indication that a new EU-based classification of economic activities, SNI-92, has been introduced by the SCB and applied to all statistics involving the classification of economic activities.

The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Articles 9 and 10.  The Committee notes that, according to the information provided by the Government and that which is available in the Office, the requirements of these Articles are fulfilled. Nevertheless, the Committee asks the Government to communicate the relevant publications (in English if available) regularly to the ILO (in accordance with Article 5). The Committee also asks the Government to communicate to the ILO, as soon as practicable, updated methodological information, if possible in English, on the latest developments in the monthly survey of wages for the whole private sector and on the annual establishment surveys (in accordance with Article 6).

Article 13.  The Committee asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of any future developments in the field of household income and expenditure statistics.

Article 15.  The Committee notes that the Government plans to modify the regular labour force survey questionnaire to collect separate information on absences due to strikes and lockouts. It asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of progress in this connection as well as any other steps taken to improve the statistics on strikes and lockouts.

Article 16.  The Committee notes that although the Government did not accept the obligations under Article 11, it appears that the requirements of this Article are fulfilled through the conduct of the four-yearly EU Labour Cost Survey and the compilation of short-term labour cost indices covering the whole of the private sector. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 11, in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 3.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following points raised in its previous direct request:

Article 2. The Committee notes from the Government's report that Statistics Sweden (SCB) has not yet decided how to resolve the issue of occupational classification and requests the Government to continue reporting on any development in this respect.

Article 9 read together with Article 17. The Committee notes with interest that the scope of the monthly survey of earnings of manual and salaried workers has been extended to cover all important categories of employees and all branches of economic activity. It notes, however, that, although data on hours of work are collected for the purpose of compiling earnings data, statistics of hours of work derived from these surveys are not published as such. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate whether it intends to compile and publish statistics of hours of work which are consistent and usable in conjunction with earnings statistics.

Article 10 read together with Article 17. The Committee observes that the expanded monthly survey of earnings may provide statistics of wage structure and distribution for industrial workers. It requests the Government to indicate whether such statistics may now be compiled for industrial workers so as to extend the scope of these statistics initially limited under Article 17.

Article 14. The Committee notes the Government's indication in its report of efforts undertaken to achieve more up-to-date and dependable coverage of statistics of work injuries. It would be grateful to the Government for indicating whether plans exist to collect and compile data concerning the number of workdays lost as a result of occupational injuries.

Article 15. The Committee notes the Government's statement in its report that SCB has not been in a position to allocate resources for the compilation of better statistics on industrial disputes. It requests the Government to continue reporting on any measures taken to improve the quality of the statistics of strikes and lockouts, and also to indicate any future plans to publish methodological information as required under Article 6(c).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

The Committee takes note of the information communicated by the Government, and particularly the information concerning Articles 8 and 13 of the Convention.

Article 2. The Committee notes from the Government's report that Statistics Sweden (SCB) has not yet decided how to resolve the issue of occupational classification and requests the Government to continue reporting on any development in this respect.

Article 9 read together with Article 17. The Committee notes with interest that the scope of the monthly survey of earnings of manual and salaried workers has been extended to cover all important categories of employees and all branches of economic activity. It notes, however, that, although data on hours of work are collected for the purpose of compiling earnings data, statistics of hours of work derived from these surveys are not published as such. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate whether it intends to compile and publish statistics of hours of work which are consistent and usable in conjunction with earnings statistics.

Article 10 read together with Article 17. The Committee observes that the expanded monthly survey of earnings may provide statistics of wage structure and distribution for industrial workers. It requests the Government to indicate whether such statistics may now be compiled for industrial workers so as to extend the scope of these statistics initially limited under Article 17.

Article 14. The Committee notes the Government's indication in its report of efforts undertaken to achieve more up-to-date and dependable coverage of statistics of work injuries. It would be grateful to the Government for indicating whether plans exist to collect and compile data concerning the number of workdays lost as a result of occupational injuries.

Article 15. The Committee notes the Government's statement in its report that SCB has not been in a position to allocate resources for the compilation of better statistics on industrial disputes. It requests the Government to continue reporting on any measures taken to improve the quality of the statistics of strikes and lockouts, and also to indicate any future plans to publish methodological information as required under Article 6(c).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee takes note of the information communicated by the Government.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's statement that no further discussions have taken place in the matter of designing or revising the methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of statistics and that no progress has been made in the application of the International Standards Classification of Occupations (ICSO 1988) in labour statistics. For the period 1990-93, a comprehensive list of occupations should be drawn up for general use in the Swedish Statistics Office (SCB) based on the terms of reference used in the Nordic Classification of Occupations (NYK 1983) and the ISCO 1988. The Committee asks the Government to continue to communicate information on the progress made in this matter.

Article 3. With regard to collaboration between the labour market partners in the matter of fixing the consumer price index, the Committee notes that a consultative group (reference group) comprising representatives of consumer associations as well as representatives of the employers and workers has been set up by the Swedish Statistics Office to examine, during two planned annual meetings, the work involved in the index and to advise the Swedish Statistics Office on this subject. The Committee asks the Government in its future reports to communicate information on the recommendations adopted by this group and the implementation of those recommendations by the Swedish Statistics Office.

Article 8. The Committee notes that there is to be a population census in 1990 and that, according to the Government, the source of information for this census will be the same as for the previous census which means that the unemployed population will not be distinguishable from the rest of the population. The Committee recalls that, according to the information supplied by the Government in its previous report, the Government registers of the unemployed from which the data concerning employment are taken, are not very reliable as bench-mark data, bearing in mind the purpose of such censuses. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the action taken or planned with a view to improving the reliability of the data on unemployment so that they can serve as bench-mark data.

Article 13. The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government concerning the scope of statistics on household expenditure. It also notes that measures have been introduced to co-ordinate definitions and concepts (households, incomes) used in the two separate surveys conducted in Sweden on household expenditures and incomes, so that the results will be compatible and can be used conjointly. The Committee asks the Government to continue to communicate information on the measures adopted in this respect.

Article 15. In reference to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government on the rather rudimentary nature of the statistics on industrial disputes and that, for the moment, there are no plans to modify these statistics. It notes with interest the co-operation with the Swedish Employers' Confederation in obtaining these data. The Committee asks the Government to specify as soon as possible the measures envisaged to compile statistics of industrial disputes in such a way as to be representative of the country as a whole, covering where possible all branches of economic activity. It hopes that the Government will be in a position to communicate information on the methodology used in the calculation of data concerning industrial disputes.