The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a continuous household survey conducted by the CSO and is the official source of statistics on employment and unemployment in Ireland.
Much of the LFS survey is governed by European Union (EU) Regulations (see 2019/1700 on Social Surveys (IESS) and 2019/2240 on LFS implementation) which prescribe the required methods, precision and core variables to be collected in the EU LFS across all EU member states.
Details on the sample design and data collection methods for Ireland’s core LFS are provided in the LFS Background Notes.
The LFS is a household survey carried out by the CSO and is the official source for employment and unemployment estimates in Ireland. Its legally required and the compliant with international and European statistical obligations.
While the core questionnaire is vital for capturing consistent labour market indicators, it is equally important to recognise the broader role of the LFS in reflecting the lived experiences of people in our society. Therefore, to ensure that the LFS is providing essential data that informs public policy, academic research, and economic planning the CSO has included additional thematic mini-modules in selected quarters.
Questions were asked in the Q2 2025 LFS on participation in voluntary activities as well as hours volunteered among 15-74-year-olds. It is possible to identify people’s participation in the following categories of voluntary activities.
Social or charitable organisations.
Religious or church groups.
Sporting organisations.
Political or community organisations.
Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.