Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Japan

Female labor force participation rate in Japan in 2025 — 55.91%. Ranked 75 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 5.84 pp.

2025 55.91% +0.31 pp vs 2024
World rank 75of 182
Period maximum 55.91%2025
Period minimum 48.03%2012

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Japan, 1990–2025485052545619901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 50.06%1991: 50.63%1992: 50.67%1993: 50.27%1994: 50.11%1995: 49.91%1996: 49.97%1997: 50.32%1998: 50.06%1999: 49.52%2000: 49.19%2001: 49.05%2002: 48.46%2003: 48.16%2004: 48.16%2005: 48.28%2006: 48.4%2007: 48.39%2008: 48.36%2009: 48.44%2010: 48.34%2011: 48.09%2012: 48.03%2013: 48.74%2014: 49.18%2015: 49.41%2016: 50.21%2017: 51.03%2018: 52.37%2019: 53.24%2020: 53.09%2021: 53.46%2022: 54.17%2023: 54.85%2024: 55.6%2025: 55.91%
Change over the period: +5.84 pp Annual average: 0.17 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Japan 55.91%
World 48.94%
Eastern Asia computed 59.08%
High-income countries computed 54.21%
Female labor force participation rate — Japan, by year Japan All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 55.91 +0.31 pp
2024 55.6 +0.75 pp
2023 54.85 +0.67 pp
2022 54.17 +0.71 pp
2021 53.46 +0.37 pp
2020 53.09 −0.15 pp
2019 53.24 +0.87 pp
2018 52.37 +1.34 pp
2017 51.03 +0.82 pp
2016 50.21 +0.8 pp
2015 49.41 +0.23 pp
2014 49.18 +0.44 pp
2013 48.74 +0.71 pp
2012 48.03 −0.06 pp
2011 48.09 −0.25 pp
2010 48.34 −0.1 pp
2009 48.44 +0.08 pp
2008 48.36 −0.03 pp
2007 48.39 −0.01 pp
2006 48.4 +0.12 pp
2005 48.28 +0.12 pp
2004 48.16 +0.01 pp
2003 48.16 −0.3 pp
2002 48.46 −0.59 pp
2001 49.05 −0.14 pp
2000 49.19 −0.33 pp
1999 49.52 −0.54 pp
1998 50.06 −0.25 pp
1997 50.32 +0.35 pp
1996 49.97 +0.05 pp
1995 49.91 −0.2 pp
1994 50.11 −0.15 pp
1993 50.27 −0.4 pp
1992 50.67 +0.04 pp
1991 50.63 +0.57 pp
1990 50.06

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.