The Current Population Survey (CPS) is sponsored jointly by the Census Bureau and BLS. It is the primary source of labor force statistics, a key Principal Federal Economic Indicator (PFEI), and is used to collect critical data measuring the nation’s economic and social well-being through supplemental questions to the monthly basic CPS questions. The Annual Social and Economic Supplement’s Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage statistics are an example of this.

Conceived in the 1930s to meet the increased needs for data on unemployment, the CPS has been conducted in its present form since 1948. It is one of the oldest, largest and most well-recognized surveys in the nation. Response rates for all household surveys, including the CPS, have been steadily declining for years. Current data collection methods are not sufficient to meet the needs to maintain data quality standards and address other challenges.  

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) held the first in a joint webinar series to update and lay the groundwork for improvements to the Current Population Survey (CPS). 

• Kyra Linse, survey director, Current Population Survey and American Time Use Survey Team, U.S. Census Bureau
• Nicholas Johnson, division chief of Labor Force Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Julie Iriondo, chief of Media Relations, Public Information Office, U.S. Census Bureau, moderator

Please provide feedback and questions to DEMO.CPS@census.gov