It is widely used for comparative labor market studies, policy development, and international reporting, including within the European Union, the United Nations, and other global institutions.
The origins of ISCO trace back to the mid-20th century when the need for a global occupational classification system became evident at the First International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) in 1923.
[3] The first complete version, ISCO-58, was adopted in 1957 by the Ninth ICLS and published in 1958, providing a systematic method for grouping occupations to support labor market analysis and facilitate international comparisons.
Subsequent revisions, including ISCO-68, ISCO-88, and ISCO-08, refined the classification criteria to reflect changing labor market structures, technological advancements, and evolving job roles.
Notably, ISCO-88 marked a major departure from the earlier versions by organizing similar occupations into increasingly larger groups based on skill level and specialization.
[4] ISCO has since been widely adopted by national governments and international organizations to align workforce data with global labor market trends.
ISCO has been continuously adapted to ensure its relevance amid shifts in employment patterns, technological progress, and the emergence of new economic sectors.
Moreover, its role in international labor statistics enables cross-country comparisons, aiding in policy formulation and economic planning.
[5][4] The ISCO-08 revision was developed through consultations with national governments, labor organizations, and international experts to ensure relevance and adaptability.
[4] Looking ahead, future iterations of ISCO are expected to incorporate new occupational categories reflecting automation, digital transformation, and emerging industries.
In cases where subsistence farming or fishing plays a major role in a country’s economy, additional data may be collected to distinguish between market-oriented work and own-consumption production.
"[4] Assigning classification codes to open-ended survey responses is a complex process, requiring analysis of job titles, tasks, industry, and workplacengesas.