Usage and Limitations

The principal uses of information on foreign labor statistics are (a) to assess U.S. economic performance relative to other industrial countries; (b) to inform Government and private officials of foreign economic developments that may affect U.S. international economic policy; (c) to evaluate the competitive position of the United States in international trade; and (d) to provide labor statistics and related information to individuals, corporations, labor unions, and others concerned with foreign investment and development.

Comparisons based upon foreign country statistics should be made cautiously.  Considerable differences can exist among countries in the sources and methods used to compile their statistics.  Substantial progress has been made in making international economic statistics more uniform among countries, e.g., through the work of international agencies such as the United Nations, the International Labor Office, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT).

In addition, in its international comparisons program, BLS adjusts foreign data for greater consistency with U.S. measures; in some cases, data are sufficiently similar in definition and concept for valid comparisons without adjustment. Moreover, when conceptual differences are substantial, the Bureau attempts to describe the differences in sufficient detail, in publications and in notes to statistical tabulations, to provide guidance in the interpretation of the data.

Background | Description of Methods | Data Sources | Estimating Procedures | Analysis and Presentation | Usage and Limitations

 

Last Modified Date: October 16, 2001