Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — High-income countries

Female labor force participation rate in high-income countries in 2025 — 54.21%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 4.08 pp.

2025 54.21% −0.21 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 54.42%2024
Period minimum 49.92%1993

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — High-income countries, 1990–2025485052545619901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 50.13%1991: 50.33%1992: 50.22%1993: 49.92%1994: 49.99%1995: 50.03%1996: 50.16%1997: 50.31%1998: 50.24%1999: 50.88%2000: 51.06%2001: 50.93%2002: 51.12%2003: 51.23%2004: 51.39%2005: 51.69%2006: 51.99%2007: 52.12%2008: 52.32%2009: 52.3%2010: 52.3%2011: 52.33%2012: 52.46%2013: 52.47%2014: 52.58%2015: 52.59%2016: 52.85%2017: 53.04%2018: 53.36%2019: 53.68%2020: 53.04%2021: 53.51%2022: 54.03%2023: 54.41%2024: 54.42%2025: 54.21%
Change over the period: +4.08 pp Annual average: 0.12 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: High-income countries

High-income countries 54.21%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — High-income countries, by year High-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 54.21 −0.21 pp
2024 54.42 +0.01 pp
2023 54.41 +0.38 pp
2022 54.03 +0.51 pp
2021 53.51 +0.47 pp
2020 53.04 −0.63 pp
2019 53.68 +0.32 pp
2018 53.36 +0.32 pp
2017 53.04 +0.19 pp
2016 52.85 +0.26 pp
2015 52.59 +0 pp
2014 52.58 +0.11 pp
2013 52.47 +0.01 pp
2012 52.46 +0.12 pp
2011 52.33 +0.04 pp
2010 52.3 +0 pp
2009 52.3 −0.02 pp
2008 52.32 +0.2 pp
2007 52.12 +0.13 pp
2006 51.99 +0.3 pp
2005 51.69 +0.3 pp
2004 51.39 +0.16 pp
2003 51.23 +0.1 pp
2002 51.12 +0.19 pp
2001 50.93 −0.13 pp
2000 51.06 +0.18 pp
1999 50.88 +0.64 pp
1998 50.24 −0.07 pp
1997 50.31 +0.15 pp
1996 50.16 +0.13 pp
1995 50.03 +0.04 pp
1994 49.99 +0.07 pp
1993 49.92 −0.3 pp
1992 50.22 −0.11 pp
1991 50.33 +0.2 pp
1990 50.13

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.