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Labour Market Evidence: Using Geostat and ILO Data
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GILS Learning · Certificate course 4 of 7 · GILS-C04

Labour Market Evidence: Using Geostat and ILO Data

Practical data literacy for policy and journalism: finding, reading and correctly citing labour market statistics for Georgia.

In development · contributors wanted

Key features

Evidence-basedBuilt on sourced GILS analyses and official data; every figure is cited.
Expert-authoredModules written and reviewed by named specialists in the field.
CertificateCertificate of Completion from GMJ Academy and GILS after the final assessment.

Introduction to the course

Good labour policy depends on reading statistics correctly. This practical course shows how to find, interpret, compare and cite Georgian and international labour market data — avoiding the common errors that lead to misleading headlines and weak policy.

Why this course

  • Headline unemployment captures only part of labour underutilisation: in 2024 Georgia's composite measure (LU4) was 28.8%, against an unemployment rate of 13.9%.
  • Methodological changes — such as Geostat's 2020 change in how subsistence farmers are counted — are often missed, leading to wrong comparisons.
  • Misquoted or unsourced labour statistics circulate widely; GILS's own 2026 review found and corrected several.

Background reading: Labour Market Observatory · Labour underutilisation in Georgia · Why Georgia needs independent labour research

Who should attend?

  • Journalists and editors
  • Policy analysts and civil servants
  • Researchers and students
  • NGO and union staff who use data in advocacy

Learning outcomes

On completion, participants will be able to:

  • Find and download Labour Force Survey and earnings data from Geostat and ILOSTAT
  • Interpret unemployment, participation, underutilisation and informality correctly
  • Recognise series breaks and make valid comparisons
  • Cite statistical sources accurately

Planned modules

  1. Sources: Geostat, ILOSTAT, Eurostat
  2. Core concepts: employment, unemployment, participation
  3. Beyond unemployment: underutilisation, informality, wages
  4. Comparisons over time and across countries
  5. Citing, presenting and checking statistics

Provisional outline, to be finalised with module authors and reviewers.

How will you learn?

  • A short knowledge check at the start and at the end of the course, so you can measure your progress.
  • Flexible self-guided modules with readings, short videos and quizzes.
  • Georgian case material drawn from sourced GILS analyses.
  • An end-of-course assessment leading to the certificate.

Call for contributors

GILS and GMJ Academy invite experts to author or review modules of this course. We are looking for: Labour statisticians and economists; data journalists. Contributors are credited by name on the course.

To express interest, write to info@accreditation.ge with a short CV and the module(s) you would like to contribute to.

Questions? We have the answers

When will the course open?

The course is in development. The start date will be announced on this page. Use "Register your interest" to be notified.

How much will it cost?

The fee has not yet been set and will be announced on this page before enrolment opens.

Is the certificate officially recognised?

It is a Certificate of Completion issued by GMJ Academy and GILS. It is not a state-recognised qualification and does not carry CPD credits unless such accreditation is obtained and announced here.

Do I need prior knowledge?

No specialist knowledge is required beyond familiarity with the field described under "Who should attend?".

In which language will it be taught?

The course is planned in English and Georgian.

Related courses

Work and Health: Occupational Health for Health Professionals

The medical side of work: occupational disease, workplace injury, fitness for work and return to work — for doctors, nurses and public health staff.

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International Labour Standards and Georgia

How ILO conventions work — ratification, reporting and supervision — and what they mean for Georgia, with a Georgia-specific focus.

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EU Labour Law and Georgia's Accession

The EU labour acquis that Georgia must align with: the Association Agreement, key directives and the main gaps in Georgian law.

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Series editor: Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD. Courses are delivered on academy.gmj.ge. Information as of October 2026.

Cover image — Chart: GILS, from Eurostat and Geostat data