Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — European Union

Female labor force participation rate in the European Union in 2025 — 51.61%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 7.01 pp.

2025 51.61% −0.26 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 51.97%2023
Period minimum 44.61%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — European Union, 1990–2025444648505219901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 44.61%1991: 45.24%1992: 45.1%1993: 44.99%1994: 45.14%1995: 45.12%1996: 45.31%1997: 45.43%1998: 45.7%1999: 46.15%2000: 46.33%2001: 46.44%2002: 46.82%2003: 47.28%2004: 47.52%2005: 47.94%2006: 48.36%2007: 48.62%2008: 48.95%2009: 49.03%2010: 49.33%2011: 49.57%2012: 49.97%2013: 50.1%2014: 50.23%2015: 50.29%2016: 50.46%2017: 50.71%2018: 50.81%2019: 50.96%2020: 50.29%2021: 50.99%2022: 51.57%2023: 51.97%2024: 51.87%2025: 51.61%
Change over the period: +7.01 pp Annual average: 0.2 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

European Union 51.61%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — European Union, by year European Union All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 51.61 −0.26 pp
2024 51.87 −0.1 pp
2023 51.97 +0.4 pp
2022 51.57 +0.58 pp
2021 50.99 +0.69 pp
2020 50.29 −0.66 pp
2019 50.96 +0.15 pp
2018 50.81 +0.1 pp
2017 50.71 +0.24 pp
2016 50.46 +0.18 pp
2015 50.29 +0.06 pp
2014 50.23 +0.13 pp
2013 50.1 +0.13 pp
2012 49.97 +0.4 pp
2011 49.57 +0.24 pp
2010 49.33 +0.3 pp
2009 49.03 +0.08 pp
2008 48.95 +0.32 pp
2007 48.62 +0.26 pp
2006 48.36 +0.42 pp
2005 47.94 +0.42 pp
2004 47.52 +0.24 pp
2003 47.28 +0.46 pp
2002 46.82 +0.38 pp
2001 46.44 +0.1 pp
2000 46.33 +0.18 pp
1999 46.15 +0.45 pp
1998 45.7 +0.27 pp
1997 45.43 +0.12 pp
1996 45.31 +0.19 pp
1995 45.12 −0.02 pp
1994 45.14 +0.15 pp
1993 44.99 −0.11 pp
1992 45.1 −0.14 pp
1991 45.24 +0.63 pp
1990 44.61

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.