Measuring occupation and labour status in cross-national comparative surveys

In the social sciences, the occupation variable is used to derive socio-economic status and/or occupational prestige. This book describes occupation as an indicator of social status, occupation as an indicator of prestige and labor status as an indicator of position in the life-cycle. First, we identify variables necessary to measure occupation, employment and the labour force concept from ILO (International Labour Organisation, Geneva). Second, we introduce strategies for harmonizing the underlying social concepts of the measurements in surveys across countries. Third, we present our own instruments for measuring occupation and labour status in cross-national comparative surveys.