Description Structural information on labour costs is collected through the four-yearly Labour Cost Surveys, which provide detailed data on structure and level of labour costs, hours worked and hours paid. Data is broken down by economic activity and enterprise size.
Method A sample survey is conducted in order to collect the requested data. The data are collected mainly by means of computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI).
The sampling frame was the Business Register. The sample selection procedure for the private sector, including semi-governmental organizations and municipalities, took place separately from the Central Government, which was fully covered. Concerning the private sector (including semi-governmental organizations and municipalities) the enterprises were first stratified by NACE.Rev.2 two digits divisions and within each NACE division, by employment size class i.e. 10-49, 50-249, 250-499, 500-999 and 1000+. The sample sizes in strata were specified using proportionate stratification, i.e., the sample size of each stratum is proportionate to the population size of the stratum. The sample in each of the strata was selected using simple random sampling. Some strata were fully covered.
Data Coverage The survey covers enterprises in all economic activities, excluding Agriculture, Fishing, Activities of Private Households and Extra-territorial Organisations (Sections B-S of the Nace Rev.2 classification system). All enterprises covered have ten or more employees.
Frequency Every 4 years (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
Data Availability Data become available approximately 2 years after the end of the reference period. The results of the survey are announced with a relevant Press Release. Data for the survey are available on CYSTAT’s website in the form of predefined tables for 2000 and 2016 as well as in the database for 2016 and 2020. A report (publication) is available for 2016 and 2020. Data are also available on EUROSTAT’s website for the years 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Comparability Over Time The data are comparable over time.
Principal Variables The main variables collected for each enterprise are:
1. Number of employees
2. Hours actually worked
3. Paid hours
4. Labour costs
Classification Systems Economic activity: Industrial classification of economic activities within the European Communities (NACE Rev. 2) - Results disseminated at the 2 digit level.
Legal Framework The LCS is based on the Council Regulation (EC) No 530/1999 concerning structural statistics on earnings and on labour costs and the Commission Regulation 1737/2005 of 21 October 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 1726/1999 as regards the definition and transmission of information on labour costs.