Skill needs forecasts: labour force

Cedefop skill supply and demand forecasts provide comprehensive information on the future labour market trends in Europe. The forecasts act as an early warning mechanism to help to alleviate potential labour market imbalances and support different labour market actors in making informed decisions. The labour force represents people in the population 15 + who are economically active, i.e. the labour force includes employed and disposable unemployed persons (actively seeking for jobs). People from the population 15+ who are not considered as labour force are those voluntary unemployed (not seeking for job and even if offered they are likely to refuse it), disabled, retired or on parental leave etc. The calculations are based on the demographic forecasts and assumptions on the future development participation (activity) rates by different age groups, genders and countries. From the labour market point of view labour force represents labour/skill supply.