Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS) through this press release provides users of official statistics the main results of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for the second quarter of 2016.

The survey was spread in 576 enumeration areas in the whole country, which surveyed 3 775 households, selected randomly from the frame of the Population, Households and Dwellings Census 2011. Households selected for the survey, except that they had a survey, they had three re-surveys in accordance with the reference period.

This publication contains detailed data on employment and unemployment according to age, gender, employment status, economic activity, occupation and other similar issues related to the labour market.

According to the results derived from this publication, two thirds of the population in Kosovo are in the working age population, where the working age population aged 15-64 years are included.

Within the working age population, the participation rate in the workforce is 37.8%.

The employment rate in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for the second quarter (Q2) 2016 is 27.9%. Employment is higher to males with 42.9%; while employment among females is 12.6%. Females are employed mainly in the sectors of education, trade and health care, with about 52%, while males are mainly employed in the manufacturing, construction and trade, with about 45%.

The economic sectors leading to employment continue to be trade with 15.0%; manufacturing 13.7%; construction 11.6%; and education with 10.6%. While other sectors participate with the smallest percentage in employment.

Regarding employment under working contracts, it appears that 28.6% of employed persons have a permanent working contracts in their main job, while 71.4% have temporary contracts.

According to the LFS results in Q2 2016, the unemployment rate was 26.2%. Unemployment is more pronounced to females with 30.3% compared with males which is 25.0%. Most pronounced rate of unemployment is to age groups 15-24 of age with 51.0%. 

According to the results of the LFS in Q2 2016, the inactive workforce is quite high, 62.2%, with a particular focus on females at 81.9%, compared to males, 42.9%. 

For the realization of LFS Q2 2016, the methodology and standards applied by KAS are harmonized with the Eurostat recommendations. These data are considered as preliminary data of the second quarter of 2016 from the LFS. The first quarterly publication of LFS is the only reason for the simultaneous publication of the LFS Q1 and Q2 2016.  

KAS thank the participants and other stakeholders, especially its staff in the implementation of LFS Q2 2016. At the same time, informs all users of official statistics that KAS, within budget possibilities, is making efforts to build capacities and publish sustainable and qualitative statistics.  

For more information concerning the publication "Labour Force Survey in Kosovo," Q2 2016 visit: http://ask.rks-gov.net/en/kosovo-agency-of-statistics/social/labour-market