Research and data

See also

The ILO publishes research related to labour market trends and issues which is of importance to policy makers and constituents. Employment in the globalized economy is a primary focus. The problems confronting workers and employers in developing, transition and industrialized economies are addressed, the objective being to contribute to the ILO goal of “decent work” for all.

In this regard, labour statistics and data play an essential role in the efforts of member States to achieve decent work for all and for the ILO's support of these efforts. These statistics and supporting databases are needed for the development and evaluation of effective policies and for assessing progress towards decent work.

Selected resources

Regional Reports
- Manila, Philippines
  High-Level Regional Forum on Responding to the Economic Crisis - Coherent Policies for Growth, Employment and Decent Work in Asia and the Pacific
  In coping with the current crisis, most countries in Asia and the Pacific benefit from sound financial institutions and a record of sustained growth and macroeconomic stability. Poverty however remains widespread and systems of social protection are fragile and underdeveloped. ...
- Global Wage Report 2008/9, Regional focus – Asia and the Pacific
  The ILO’s first global wage report is published to discuss the major trends in the level and distribution of wages around the world. It also reviews the roles of minimum wages and collective bargaining and explores how to develop a coherence policy in the area of wages. This note summarizes its key findings and policy implications, focusing on the region of Asia and the Pacific.
- Visions for Asia’s Decent Work Decade: Sustainable Growth and Jobs to 2015 - [pdf 360 KB]
- Decent work indicators for Asia and the Pacific: a guidebook for policy-makers and researchers - [pdf 544 KB]
  This Guidebook, designed to be a practical resource for collectors and users of labour market information, presents a detailed overview of key indicators for monitoring labour market trends and measuring progress towards national and international goals related to the promotion of decent work.
- Labour and social trends in ASEAN 2008: driving competitiveness and prosperity with decent work - [pdf 955 KB]
  The fourth issue of the Labour and Social Trends series once again focuses on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The report presents an update in major trends in employment and social conditions and looks ahead to 2015 with informed projections, likely scenarios and their policy implications.
- Labour and social trends in ASEAN 2007: integration, challenges and opportunities - [pdf 510 KB]
  The third issue of the Labour and Social Trends series focuses on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The report presents major trends in employment and social conditions in this dynamic region, followed by thematic chapters on key employment and social issues and an updated statistical annex.
- Labour and social trends in Asia and the Pacific 2006: progress towards decent work - [pdf 614 KB]
  The second issue of the Labour and Social Trends series has the special purpose of providing background data and analysis of key labour market issues for the Fourteenth ILO Asian Regional Meeting, which took place in Busan, Republic of Korea from 29 August to 1 September 2006.
- Labour and social trends in Asia and the Pacific 2005 - [pdf 615 KB]
  The first issue of the Labour and Social Trends series presents major trends in employment and social conditions in the world's most populous region, while also drawing attention to key policy challenges in the regions' labour markets.

Regional Working Papers
- The global economic crisis: Labour market impacts and policies for recovery in Asia - [pdf 708 KB]
  The paper provides an assessment of the economic and labour market impacts of the financial and economic crisis in Asia and the Pacific and reviews national policy responses to the crisis. ...
- Decent work for older persons in Thailand - [pdf 978 KB]
  This paper brings to light the current and emerging issues concerning the promotion of decent work for older persons in Thailand.
- Labour market scenarios for the Asian Decent Work Decade in the Pacific Island countries - [pdf 590 KB]
  This paper presents key trends in the economies and labour markets of Pacific island countries and the main issues facing policy-makers in promoting decent and productive employment in these economies. ...
- The gender wage gap in Bangladesh - [pdf 568 KB]
  This study presents the first comprehensive estimates of the role that gender plays in determining hourly wage gaps between women and men in Bangladesh, by examining gender wage gaps across different industries, among workers with different levels of education and among workers operating across different sized establishments. ...
- Employment challenge and strategies in India
  The paper looks at the employment challenges faced by India within the framework of "ten core elements" identified by the Global Employment Agenda of the ILO. These elements relate to trade and investment, technological change, sustainable livelihoods, macro policy, entrepreneurship development, skills development, active labour market policies, social protection, conditions of work and poverty reduction.

Global Reports
- Global Wage Report 2008/09: Minimum wages and collective bargaining: Towards policy coherence - [pdf 1830 KB]
  Global Wage Report 2008/09: Minimum wages and collective bargaining: Towards policy coherence
- Global Employment Trends
  Global Employment Trends have been produced and published on a yearly basis since 2003. The report analyses the impact on the labour markets of a wide range of factors, ranging from population and economic growth to economic turbulence stemming from the credit crisis in industrialized countries, rising oil prices, and a projected slowdown in economic growth.
- Global Employment Trends for Youth
  The ILO's third edition of the Global Employment Trends for Youth (October 2008) examines the most recent labour market indicators and finds that young people still suffer disproportionately from a deficit of decent work opportunities. However, progress has been seen in some regions. The report, which updates the world and regional youth labour market indicators presented in previous reports (2004 and 2006), is organized according to nine regional analyses.
- Income Inequalities in the Age of Financial Globalization
  In the majority of countries, the incomes of rich people have grown faster than is the case for their poorer counterparts. To what extent is this a problem for society and the economy? How has financial deregulation affected people’s incomes? What can policy makers do to address excessive income inequality and still support employment and economic growth?