Students Corner

What is the Quarterly National Household Survey?

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) began in September 1997, replacing the annual April Labour Force Survey (LFS). The primary purpose of the survey is the production of quarterly labour force estimates, which includes information on employment, unemployment, occupations, regional and age group data etc. The QNHS also produces reports on special social topics (eg, Crime and Victimisation, Housing, Recycling, Travel to Work, Health).

Information is published quarterly, normally between two and a half to three months after the reference period. Data is also held on the CSO Data Dissemination Service and also published in the CSO's Statistical Yearbook.

The QNHS is extensively used by universities and economists as well as having a large influence in policy making decision at both national and international level. Click to view a copy of the latest Quarterly National Household Survey document (PDF 202KB)