Translating Labour Force Survey Data into Policy-Relevant Reporting

From 23–27 February 2026 in Adama, Ethiopia, the International Labour Organization under the UK FCDO-funded Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme conducted a five-day hands-on technical workshop to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Labour and Skills E-LMIS staff. The training focused on the derivation of the labour force and labour migration indicators, supporting the transformation of the National Integrated Household Survey (NHIS) 2024/25 data into policy-relevant outputs aligned with international standards.

The ESS is finalising cleaning of the dataset for the 2024/25 National Integrated Household Survey, which includes labour market and migration modules aligned with the latest international standards. While previous ILO technical support strengthened the understanding of international statistical standards, ESS and MoLS identified a remaining gap in defining and deriving key labour market indicators and converting statistical outputs into concise, analytical reports that directly inform policymaking and feed into the E-LMIS.

The five-day workshop brought together 20 participants (2 female), including MoLS E-LMIS labour statisticians. The training adopted a practical, results-oriented approach combining interactive presentations, hands-on STATA sessions, peer review exercises, and one-on-one coaching.

Participants worked on deriving key labour market indicators, including employment, unemployment, labour underutilization, informal employment, labour migration indicators, and indicators related to own-use production work. Sessions also focused on interpreting trends, as well as structuring Labour Force Survey and migration reports. Dedicated modules reviewed and refined report templates to ensure alignment with national policy needs and international statistical standards.

The workshop is expected to produce draft sections of two major analytical outputs: the Labour Force Survey report and the Labour Migration Statistics report. Standardised reporting templates and writing guidelines will be jointly developed to strengthen future reporting cycles and harmonise interpretation between ESS and MoLS.

Beyond technical drafting, the training strengthens institutional alignment between data producers and data users, improving data flow into the E-LMIS platform and supporting evidence-based decision-making within the Ministry of Labour and Skills.

Follow-up technical backstopping by the ILO will support finalisation of the reports and adoption of standardised reporting practices for future survey cycles. By institutionalising harmonised workflows and analytical standards, ESS and MoLS are reinforcing the foundations of a coherent and demand-responsive national labour market information system.