THE LABOUR FORCE
The labour force is defined as the part of the population which is either employed or seeking a job and capable of commencing a new job within a short time.
The Potential Workforce
Since it is not known how many persons there are who want a job and who are able to commence a new job within a short time, "the potential workforce" is for purposes of labour market statistics in Greenland defined as all persons from 15 to 62 years of age as it up until 2008 was possible to receive retirement pension from age 63. From 2009 onwards, the potential workforce includes all persons from 15 to 63 years of age as the age limit is increased in one year increments until 2010 where the age limit will be 65.
For
purposes of unemployment statistics, the potential workforce is further limited
since people not born in Greenland are not included. The reason is that only few among the
registered unemployed are born outside Greenland.
In
principle, unemployment rates are measured both in towns and in settlements but
in recent years it has proved difficult to obtain reliable data on unemployment
in settlements. Therefore only statements on unemployment among people born in Greenland and living in towns from 15 years of age and up to the retirement pension age
limit are available.
This implies that the actual workforce is somewhat smaller than the potential workforce while the latter group includes people who can not or are not interested in commencing work immediately. These include apprentices, mothers on maternity leave, and persons who have taken an early retirement.
Overview 1
|
The Potential Workforce 1996-2009Age |
Year |
Born in Greenland |
Born in Greenland, residing in a town |
Born outside Greenland |
Potential labour force |
|
15-59 |
1996 |
30 259 |
24 488 |
6 038 |
36 297 |
|
15-59 |
1997 |
30 370 |
24 563 |
5 943 |
36 313 |
|
15-59 |
1998 |
30 540 |
24 751 |
5 832 |
36 372 |
|
15-59 |
1999 |
30 630 |
24 911 |
5 709 |
36 339 |
|
15-62 |
2000 |
31 627 |
25 751 |
5 857 |
37 484 |
|
15-62 |
2001 |
31 981 |
26 167 |
5 672 |
37 653 |
|
15-62 |
2002 |
32 206 |
26 402 |
5 785 |
37 991 |
|
15-62 |
2003 |
32 447 |
26 662 |
5 734 |
38 181 |
|
15-62 |
2004 |
32 708 |
27 014 |
5 765 |
38 473 |
|
15-62 |
2005 |
33 059 |
27 352 |
5 650 |
38 709 |
|
15-62 |
2006 |
33 293 |
27 595 |
5 403 |
38 696 |
|
15-62 |
2007 |
33 505 |
27 852 |
5 147 |
38 652 |
|
15-62 |
2008 |
33 634 |
28 081 |
4 992 |
38 626 |
|
15-63 |
2009 |
34 024 |
28 524 |
5 031 |
39 055 |
Note: The pension age limit for 2009 is 64 years of age while it increases to 65 years from 2010.
Source: Statistics Greenland