Comparability — Armenia [top]

In the 2001 and 2011 samples, the variables indicate whether a person is available to start working in the coming two weeks.

Comparability — Belarus [top]

In 1999 and 2009, the variable indicates whether a person could start working in the next two weeks if they found a job.

Comparability — Dominican Republic [top]

The 2002 and 2010 samples use different reference periods. In 2002, the question specifically asks if the person would be willing and able to start working immediately if offered a job. In 2010, the reference period is whether or not the respondent was available to start working in the previous week.

Comparability — Ethiopia [top]

In 2007, this variable indicates whether a person is available for work in the month following enumeration. The corresponding source variable provides details on the reasons for unavailability for those who are not available.

Comparability — Fiji [top]

In the 2007 and 2014 samples, this variable indicates whether or not a person was available to work in the previous week.

Comparability — Indonesia [top]

The question in 2010 indicates the respondent’s desire to work or accept a job (i.e. their availability) during the week prior to the survey.

Comparability — Italy [top]

In 2001 and 2011, the variable indicates whether a person would be willing to start working within two weeks if an opportunity comes along.

Comparability — Jordan [top]

This variable in the 2004 sample indicates whether the person was prepared to start the job if it was offered during the last seven or the next fifteen days.

Comparability — Malawi [top]

In 2008, this variable indicates whether the person was available to work. The reference period is not defined explicitly, so it might be assumed that the availability for work question is with reference to either the present moment or the near future. In 2018, the variable indicates whether the person was available to work in the past week.

Comparability — Mauritius [top]

The 1990 and 2000 samples indicate the availability for work last week, but the 2011 sample refers to the past four weeks.

Comparability — Mongolia [top]

The 2020 sample indicates whether the person was available to work or engage in business activity in the past week.

Comparability — Philippines [top]

For the 1990 sample, this variable indicates whether the person was available to work in the last seven days, such that the respondent must not have any reason for refusing a job except for minor illnesses.

Comparability — Poland [top]

This variable indicates whether the person was available to start work in the preceding or following week if they found a job.

Comparability — Puerto Rico [top]

The Puerto Rico 1980-2020 samples record work availability in the preceding seven days if a job was offered. The unharmonized source variables for these samples indicate the reasons for not being available for work. The variable has changes in universes across samples both in terms of age and employment status.

Comparability — Rwanda [top]

The variable in 2012 indicates whether the respondent is available to work. The reference period is not defined explicitly, so it might be assumed that the availability for work question is with reference to either the present moment or the near future. The question is asked to people ages 5+ who did not work last week.

Comparability — South Africa [top]

The South Africa 2001 and 2007 samples ask how soon the person could start working if offered a suitable job, such that availability is inferred from pre-defined time intervals rather than using a reference period. For these samples, respondents able to start working in up to four weeks from now are considered to be available to work. In 2007, persons indicating that they do not know if they can start working are considered unavailable to work.

The South Africa 2011 sample inquires directly whether the individual was available to work in the seven days prior to enumeration.

Comparability — Thailand [top]

In 2000, the question asks about the person's availability (readiness) to work, which indicates that a person wants to work and is capable of working.

Comparability — United States [top]

The United States 1980-2020 samples record work availability in the preceding seven days if a job was offered (or returned to work if recalled). The unharmonized source variables for these samples indicate the reasons for not being available to work. The variable has changes in universes across samples both in terms of age and employment status.

Comparability — Uruguay [top]

The variable in 2006 indicates whether the person is currently available to work; responses indicating availability "in a different time this year" are considered as not being available for WRKAVAIL, but are preserved in the corresponding unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — Vietnam [top]

In 2009, the variable indicates if the person was available for work during the last seven days if they had found suitable work. The 2019 sample asks if the person will be ready to work immediately in the next two weeks if a job or business activity is available. The universes across the two samples are different.