Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — China

Female labor force participation rate in China in 2025 — 59.15%. Ranked 53 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 13.94 pp.

2025 59.15% −0.3 pp vs 2024
World rank 53of 182
Period maximum 73.09%1990
Period minimum 59.15%2025

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — China, 1990–2025556065707519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 73.09%1991: 72.6%1992: 72.1%1993: 71.59%1994: 71.08%1995: 70.56%1996: 70.04%1997: 69.52%1998: 68.99%1999: 68.45%2000: 67.91%2001: 67.5%2002: 67.09%2003: 66.67%2004: 66.25%2005: 65.83%2006: 65.4%2007: 64.97%2008: 64.54%2009: 64.11%2010: 63.67%2011: 63.66%2012: 63.33%2013: 63.02%2014: 62.83%2015: 62.61%2016: 62.33%2017: 61.96%2018: 61.59%2019: 61.31%2020: 59.71%2021: 61.18%2022: 60.1%2023: 60.22%2024: 59.45%2025: 59.15%
Change over the period: −13.94 pp Annual average: -0.4 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: China

China 59.15%
World 48.94%
Eastern Asia computed 59.08%
Female labor force participation rate — China, by year China All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 59.15 −0.3 pp
2024 59.45 −0.77 pp
2023 60.22 +0.12 pp
2022 60.1 −1.09 pp
2021 61.18 +1.47 pp
2020 59.71 −1.59 pp
2019 61.31 −0.28 pp
2018 61.59 −0.37 pp
2017 61.96 −0.37 pp
2016 62.33 −0.28 pp
2015 62.61 −0.22 pp
2014 62.83 −0.2 pp
2013 63.02 −0.31 pp
2012 63.33 −0.33 pp
2011 63.66 −0.01 pp
2010 63.67 −0.44 pp
2009 64.11 −0.43 pp
2008 64.54 −0.43 pp
2007 64.97 −0.43 pp
2006 65.4 −0.43 pp
2005 65.83 −0.42 pp
2004 66.25 −0.42 pp
2003 66.67 −0.42 pp
2002 67.09 −0.41 pp
2001 67.5 −0.41 pp
2000 67.91 −0.54 pp
1999 68.45 −0.53 pp
1998 68.99 −0.53 pp
1997 69.52 −0.53 pp
1996 70.04 −0.52 pp
1995 70.56 −0.52 pp
1994 71.08 −0.51 pp
1993 71.59 −0.51 pp
1992 72.1 −0.5 pp
1991 72.6 −0.5 pp
1990 73.09

Eastern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The share of women aged 15 and over who belong to the labor force. The spread across countries runs from under 10% to over 80%, and it is one of the strongest dividing lines between socioeconomic models. Historically the rate rose together with falling fertility and wider access to education.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.