Definition of Labour Market Information (LMI)

The following definition of LMI was developed by the Economic Analysis and Information Directorate, Ontario Region:

Labour market information requires a broad definition to ensure that it covers both the principal elements of the labour market and its operations.

The principal elements are the demand for labour services and the supply of labour services in the economy.

The demand side can be viewed from a number of perspectives - industrial, occupational, and geographic.

Similarly, the number of persons in the labour force, which is the supply side, can be looked at in a number of different ways - the characteristics of the labour force in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, educational attainment, and the characteristics of employed and unemployed workers.

The operations of the labour market range from the labour exchange function (recruitment, offers of employment, hirings, separations) to activities that bring about a better match between the demand and supply sides of the market.

Labour market imbalances - mismatches between the labour services required and those available - is another important dimension of the labour market on which information is needed for the development and planning of training programs.

Copyright © 1997 Human Resources Development Canada
Last Updated - 16 February 98