18. Has the person actively sought any kind of work in the last four weeks?
The economic questions are an important part of the census form. The economic questions for each person over 10 years are in Question 15 to 19.
The census provides the chance for us to find out what kind of work people do. Work that earns some income or helps to support the family, such as growing food, is called "economic activity". Some people are not economically active. On the information collected, community needs can be identified. Better plans can be in place.
Question 18: Looking for work
This question is only for people who said they did not have an economic activity. We want to know whether they looked for any kind of work in the last four weeks. This tells us if there are people who do not have jobs but would like to be employed.
Q18. Has the person actively sought any kind of work in the last four weeks?
Get this information for: All persons 10 years or more who had Code 7 (None) in Q15. That is, people who did not report an economic activity.
How to ask: "Has this person looked for any kind of work in the last four weeks?"
Stress "any kind of work" and give examples, as explained below. Explain that the government must know about unemployment if they are to help people find jobs.
How to record: Enter only one code, Code 1 or 2 in the correct box given.