The occupational structure of the labour force

In the course of development certain changes in the structure of the labour force by industry and occupation are usually entailed. In a developing country, past changes in this respect may provide some indication of the likely changes which are desirable, or are likely to take place, for the fulfilment or during the process of development. Short-term policies may be guided by past short-term trends, but for perspective planning and long-term policy making it is essential to foresee the emerging patterns over long periods of time and to base the forecasts on a long-term analysis of past trends.