Definition of employment, unemployment and full employment. The nature and causes of changes in the pattern of employment, for example increase in proportion of workers employed in the tertiary sector and formal economy as an economy develops; a greater proportion of women in the labour force due to changes in social attitudes; decline in the proportion employed in the public sector as a country moves towards a market economy. How unemployment is measured – claimant count and labour force survey – and the formula for the unemployment rate. Frictional, structural and cyclical unemployment. The consequences of unemployment for the individual, firms and the economy as a whole. The range of policies available to reduce unemployment and how effective they might be.

Factors affecting an individual’s choice of occupation – wage and non-wage factors. The influences of demand and supply, relative bargaining power and government policy, including minimum wage. How changes in demand and supply, relative bargaining strengths, discrimination and government policy can all influence differences in earnings between workers whether they are: skilled/unskilled; primary/secondary/tertiary; male/female; private sector/public sector. Definition, drawing and interpretation of diagrams that illustrate the effects of changes in demand and supply in the labour market. Advantages and disadvantages for workers, firms and the economy.