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  • Dataset | 16 Oct 2015
Agricultural Labour Input Statistics: absolute figures (1 000 annual work units)
Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre

Data on labour input in agriculture by country expressed in thousand annual work units (AWU).

AWUs are defined as full-time equivalent employment (corresponding to the number of full-time equivalent jobs), i.e. as total hours worked divided by the average annual number of hours worked in full-time jobs within the economic territory. A distinction is drawn between non-salaried and salaried AWUs, which together make up total AWUs.

One person cannot represent more than one AWU. This constraint holds even if someone is working in the agricultural industry for more than the number of hours defining full time. The agricultural labour input of persons who work less than full time on agricultural holdings is calculated as the quotient of the number of hours actually worked (per week or per year) and the number of hours actually worked (per week or per year) in a full-time job. Total hours worked do not cover work for the private household of the holder or manager.

The Agricultural Labour Input (ALI) is an integrated part of the overall concept of Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA). The EAA are a satellite account of the European System of Accounts (ESA2010), providing complementary information and concepts adapted to the particular nature of the agricultural industry. Although their structure very closely matches that of the national accounts, their compilation requires the formulation of appropriate rules and methods. Main sources for the EAA are agricultural statistics plus administrative information. National Statistical Institutes or Ministries of Agriculture are responsible for data collection and calculation of national EAA, in accordance with EC Regulations. Eurostat is responsible for the EU aggregations.