Jobs

Background

Work has obvious economic benefits, but having a job also helps individuals stay connected with society, build self-esteem and develop skills and competencies. Societies with high levels of employment are also richer, more politically stable and healthier.

Employment Rate

Across the OECD, nearly 65% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. Employment levels are highest in Switzerland (79%), Iceland (78%)  and Norway (75%) and lowest in Chile (59%), Hungary (55%) and Turkey (46%).

Long-term Unemployment Rate

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are currently not working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. Such effects can last a long time, even after a return to work. Across the OECD, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 2.7%.

Creating more and better jobs is a major challenge for governments. About one in three people of working age does not have a job in the OECD area, including many out-of-school youth and disabled people. Faced with ageing populations and rising social expenditures, facilitating employment for those who can work has become a priority.

Currently, the global economy is emerging from the worst financial and economic crisis of the past half century, and it will likely take time and strong political will to heal the wounds in the labour market. Job growth, in particular, is still lagging. From 2008 to early 2010, employment fell by 2.1% in the OECD area and the unemployment rate increased by over 50%, to 8.7%, corresponding to 17 million additional persons in unemployment.

Top Ranking

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Indicators

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Jobs in Detail by Country

Australia

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Australia, nearly 72% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is much higher than the OECD employment average of 65%. Roughly eight out of ten men in Australia are working, slightly above the OECD average of three out of four. 68% of Australian women have jobs, higher than the OECD average of 59%. Young Australians aged 15-24 years are also faring well, with an unemployment rate of 11.6% compared to the OECD average of 16.4%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Australia, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Austria

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Austria, nearly 72% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%. Roughly eight out of ten men in Austria are working, slightly above the OECD average of three out of four. 67% of Austrian women have jobs, higher than the OECD average of 59%.

At the same time, there is a significant difference between a large, well-performing core of the labour force, and some more vulnerable groups with lower employment rates. Better performance of vulnerable groups – older workers and foreign-born workers -- would boost economy-wide employment, potential output and social cohesion. These challenges will likely increase due to continued immigration from the new EU member states in 2011.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Austria, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.13%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Belgium

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Belgium, nearly 62% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is slightly lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Belgium, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 4.07%, higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Canada

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Canada, nearly 72% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Canada, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 0.97%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Chile

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Chile, nearly 59% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Chile, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is estimated at 0.91%, lower than the OECD average.

Data for long-term unemployment rate in Chile rely on OECD estimates. These figures will be updated as official information becomes available.

Indicators

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Czech Republic

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In the Czech Republic, nearly 65% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is the same as the OECD average.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In the Czech Republic, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 3.19%, higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Denmark

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Denmark, nearly 73% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Denmark, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.44%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Estonia

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Estonia, nearly 61% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Estonia, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 7.84%, much higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Finland

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Finland, nearly 68% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is slightly higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Finland, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 2.01%, slightly lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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France

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In France, nearly 64% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is slightly lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In France, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 3.75%, higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Germany

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Germany, nearly 71% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Germany, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 3.4%, higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Greece

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Greece, nearly 60% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Greece, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 5.73%, much higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Hungary

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Hungary, nearly 55% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is much lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Hungary, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 5.68%, much higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Iceland

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Iceland, nearly 78% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is much higher than the OECD employment average of 65% and is one the highest rates in the OECD.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Iceland, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.35%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Ireland

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Ireland, nearly 60% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Ireland, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 6.74%, much higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Israel

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Israel, nearly 59% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Israel, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.85%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Italy

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Italy, nearly 57% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Italy, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 4.13%, higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Japan

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Japan, nearly 70% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Japan, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.99%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Korea

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Korea, nearly 63% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is slightly lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Korea, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 0.01%, the lowest rate in the OECD.

Indicators

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Luxembourg

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Luxembourg, nearly 65% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is close to the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Luxembourg, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.29%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Mexico

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Mexico, nearly 60% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%. Eight out of ten men in Mexico are working, slightly above the OECD average of three out of four. Yet less than half of Mexican women have jobs, compared to an average of 60% in the OECD area.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Mexico, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 0.13%, much lower than the OECD average and one of the lowest rates.

Indicators

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Netherlands

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In the Netherlands, nearly 75% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is much higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In the Netherlands, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.24%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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New Zealand

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In New Zealand, nearly 72% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In New Zealand, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 0.6%, much lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Norway

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Norway, nearly 75% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is much higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Norway, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 0.34%, much lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Poland

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Poland, nearly 59% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Poland, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 2.49%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Portugal

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Portugal, nearly 66% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is close to the OECD average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Portugal, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 5.97%, much higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Slovak Republic

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In the Slovak Republic, nearly 59% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In the Slovak Republic, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 8.56%, one of the highest rates in the OECD.

Indicators

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Slovenia

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Slovenia, nearly 66% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is close to the OECD average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Slovenia, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 3.21%, slightly higher than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Spain

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Spain, nearly 59% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is lower than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Spain, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 9.1%, more than three times the OECD average and the highest rate in the OECD.

Indicators

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Sweden

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Sweden, nearly 73% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Sweden, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.42%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Switzerland

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Switzerland, nearly 79% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is much higher than the OECD employment average of 65% and is one the highest rates in the OECD.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Switzerland, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 1.5%, lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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Turkey

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In Turkey, nearly 46% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is much lower than the OECD employment average of 65%, and the lowest rate in the OECD.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In Turkey, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 3.11%, close to the OECD average.

Indicators

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United Kingdom

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In the United Kingdom, nearly 70% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is higher than the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In the United Kingdom, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 2.59%, slightly lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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United States

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Key Findings

Having a job brings many important benefits, including: providing a source of income, improving social inclusion, fulfilling one’s own aspirations, building self-esteem and developing skills and competencies. In the United States, nearly 67% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. This figure is close to the OECD employment average of 65%.

Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching for work. Long-term unemployment can have a large negative effect on feelings of well-being and self-worth and result in a loss of skills, further reducing employability. In the United States, the percentage of the labour force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is currently at 2.85%, slightly lower than the OECD average.

Indicators

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