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Persons Outside the Labour Force Concepts and Definitions
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Concepts and Definitions

Persons Outside the Labour Force (also known as Economically Inactive Persons) are persons aged fifteen and over who are neither employed nor unemployed (i.e. they are neither working nor seeking work) during the reference period. These persons are not in the labour force. 



Economic Inactivity Rate is the proportion of the working-age population that is not in the labour force (i.e. economically inactive).



 
We collect information on reasons why people are outside the labour force. The common reasons are schooling, attending courses or undergoing training, taking care of family responsibilities, old age and retirement. There are also some who do not look for work because they believe their job search would not yield results.