BESTA Employment statistics | Reference period consideration

Task #9089 | 5053.000

The collection is carried out by random sampling of companies retrieved from the Company and Busi-ness Register (BUR). The collection takes place every 3 months (quarter). Up until now, all employees were counted who were still active as of the reference date (for example, September 30) and in the quarter received a wage subject to AHV. Employees not subject to AHV were not counted.

According to the latest regulations of the FSO (Federal Statistical Office), the reference period is always the last month of the quarter. That means that only employees active in this reference month and that have earned a wage subject to AHV need to be considered. Active employees with a wage subject to AHV payments in the previous month are not considered unless they have a wage subject to AHV in the reference month. Pensioners with income below tax exemption limit of CHF 1,400/month are also not considered.