Facts

Impact on labour market statistics in relation to the modernisation of IT systems in Nav in spring 2025 

A major modernisation effort is currently underway in the labour market area in Nav. At the same time, a regulatory analysis of §10 of the Labour Market Act, which deals with the right to be registered as a job seeker, is underway. 

 As a result of the modernisation, the statistical solutions that handle labour market statistics must be adapted and eventually re-established with data from new subject systems. This means that there will be adjustments and possible disruptions in labour market statistics for a period to come.
 

Summary effect of the changes 

Total effect on the statistics 

Nav has attempted to estimate the effect of the changes for the figures in April and May, but cannot yet comment on the total effect over time. Estimating the individual effects has proven to be very challenging, and Nav has therefore made an overall adjustment for all the changes. The estimate is based on unemployment benefits recipients and fully unemployed unemployment benefits recipients, as these groups are not affected by the previously mentioned changes and have stronger incentives to maintain their behavioral pattern.  In our analysis, we have adjusted the figures for April and May for the changes by using the ratio between the registered fully unemployed and fully unemployed unemployment benefits recipients for the month of March. This ratio has a strong relationship to fully unemployed over time and we believe that this well represents the underlying reality.


Effect on statistics for March 

Nav has assessed the effect of the changes on the statistics for March 2025 and finds virtually no effect on the number of job seekers, gross unemployment and completely unemployed. 

Effect on statistics for April 

The situation in the labor market had not changed much from March to April. Although the figures may give the impression that the number of completely unemployed decreased from the previous month, this is within the uncertainty of the figures for April. 

Job seekers on measures have been reclassified and have fallen considerably.

Effect on statistics for May 

The sum of the breaks affecting May gives a number of completely unemployed that is on par with last year. The effects that go in both directions appear to cancel each other out. Nav therefore believes that the unemployment figures for May can be compared with last year and are within the uncertainty. 

More information about previous adjustments to labor market statistics can be found under chapter 5. in "About the statistics - job seekers"