I. Note on methodological changes in the sampling frame

The National Bureau of Statistics informs that, starting from January 1, 2025, a new sampling plan has been implemented, entitled "Multifunctional Master Sample for Social Surveys" (EMDOS 3), developed based on the results of the most recent Population and Housing Census (PHC) – from 2024.

The data disseminated to date, including the preliminary results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for the first quarter of 2025, were produced based on data collected within the old Multifunctional Master Sample (EMDOS 2), which was based on data from the 2014 population and housing census (PHC). EMDOS 2 was implemented in 2019.

To ensure data comparability, LFS data collection for the first quarter of the current year was carried out for households selected in the new sample (EMDOS 3), as well as in the old one (EMDOS 2). Taking into account the results of the LFS survey conducted on the basis of EMDOS 3, the data for the first quarter of this year, disseminated on June 16, were revised. The revised data for the first quarter of this year are presented both in the analysis below and in the tables in the annex (in Romanian).

II. LFS survey results based on the new sampling frame

2.1 Labor force

In the first quarter of 2025, the labour force (active population aged 15 and over) was 783,8 thousand persons, while in the second quarter of 2025, it reached 824,7 thousand persons, an increase of 40,9 persons (or 5,2%) compared to the previous quarter.

The labour force participation rate of the population aged 15 and over (the share of the labour force aged 15 and over in the total population of the same age group) was 39,7% in the first quarter of 2025, and 41,8% in the second quarter of the current year.

In the 15–64 age group, this indicator was 49,1% in the first quarter and 52,1% in the second quarter. For the 20–64 age group, the labour force participation rate was 53,3% in the first quarter and 56,4%, in the second quarter.