Rationale - what it means and why it is an important measure
Unemployment levels express the health of the economy and the success of government economic policies. Unemployment is largely the result of structural imbalances in the socio-economic system that need to be addressed at a national policy level in each country. Long-term unemployment is reflected in the health situation of humans.
How it is compiled, what data are needed
The average number of unemployed men and women during the year, as a fraction of the (formal) workforce. Unemployment levels are measured as the average number of persons above 15 years that, during the reference period were 'without work', 'currently available for work' and 'seeking work'. The percentage of unemployed in a city is a ratio of total number of unemployed people to total number of workfork multipied by a hundred.
Measurements and units
Average of unemployed men and women during the year (% per year) -currently available for work (% per year) -seeking work (% per year) -without work (% per year)
Possible temporal and spatial format
trend charts, maps
Reference to methodology resources
WHO, 1997. Healthy Cities Indicators: Analysis of Data from Cities Across Europe.
Employment and unemployment in Prague: http://www.ceroi.net/reports/prague/drivers/economy/driver.htm Unemployment in Turku (Finland): http://www.ceroi.net/reports/turku/issues/Unemployment/index.htm
