Counterfactual impact evaluations of active labour market policies : lessons from using linked administrative data

Public employment services and active labour market policies (ALMPs) have an important role to play in providing adaptable and responsive support to connect people with jobs. This policy report synthesises findings from a joint OECD-EC project on using linked administrative data to evaluate the impact of ALMPs. The report brings insights across a range of dimensions. It shows the power that evaluation brings to policy making to design effective and efficient ALMPs. It demonstrates the necessity for high-quality and rich data, linked across registers. It discusses how institutions, actors and legislation co-ordinate to generate systematic and credible evidence. Despite the considerable progress made, the report identifies areas where further improvements are needed. The report is written jointly by the OECD and the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission.