Using household survey and administrative data to measure informality in Spain

The latest ILO 2023 resolution on informal economy statistics endorses the use of data integration from labour force surveys and administrative records to measure informal employment. This article presents an approach to measuring informal employment in Spain that follows these guidelines. It stems from a microdata-level coherence study between the Spanish Labour Force Survey (EPA) and Social Security affiliation records. By analysing discrepancies and aligning definitions, the study estimates the informal employment rate and provides a detailed examination of the characteristics of informal workers, contributing to more effective labour market policies and better understanding of informal employment dynamics in Spain.