Study title

Statistics Norway has carried out official quarterly Labor Force Surveys (AKU) from the 1st quarter of 1972. The purpose is to provide the labor authorities and others with the occupational structure of population and development over time. The surveys will provide the basis and statistical material for occupational forecasting and labor market research. In the AKU respondents are first interviewed in two consecutive quarters, then there is a delay of two quarters, and then the respondents are interviewed again for two consecutive quarters. The sample was approximately 10- 11,000 respondents each quarter until 1988. Labour Force Survey 1975 is the fourth complete annual AKU. Originally it was intended that the AKU would be an analytical supplement to the monthly employment statistics which were based on the insurance fund membership. The health insurance-based statistics, however fell away when health insurance was included in the National Insurance Scheme from 1st of January 1971. AKU has gradually evolved to become the main source of knowledge about the labor market of the state. In 1975, the SSB changed the sampling plan for the surveys, see Art.37: About the use of samples at the office for interview surveys, Statistics Norway (Steinar Tamsfoss), and SES 33: Sampling Methods Applied by Statistics Norways sample surveys (Ib Thomsen). Meanwhile, the method of estimation for inflating the national figures changed, so that there are adequate numbers of regions from 1975. The reorganization in 1975 meant that the interview was carried out differently in groups than before and after. This meant, among other things, a break in the panel structure of the AKU.