Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Northern Europe

Female labor force participation rate in Northern Europe in 2025 — 58.3%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 4.25 pp.

2025 58.3% −0.15 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 58.46%2024
Period minimum 53.22%1994

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Northern Europe, 1990–2025525456586019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 54.05%1991: 53.82%1992: 53.61%1993: 53.47%1994: 53.22%1995: 53.26%1996: 53.63%1997: 53.89%1998: 53.9%1999: 54.56%2000: 54.86%2001: 54.85%2002: 55.32%2003: 55.4%2004: 55.58%2005: 55.95%2006: 56.44%2007: 56.36%2008: 56.59%2009: 56.59%2010: 56.36%2011: 56.47%2012: 56.65%2013: 56.87%2014: 56.98%2015: 57.18%2016: 57.52%2017: 57.69%2018: 57.96%2019: 58.34%2020: 58.32%2021: 58.33%2022: 58.45%2023: 58.39%2024: 58.46%2025: 58.3%
Change over the period: +4.25 pp Annual average: 0.12 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Northern Europe 58.3%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Northern Europe, by year Northern Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 58.3 −0.15 pp
2024 58.46 +0.07 pp
2023 58.39 −0.06 pp
2022 58.45 +0.12 pp
2021 58.33 +0 pp
2020 58.32 −0.02 pp
2019 58.34 +0.38 pp
2018 57.96 +0.26 pp
2017 57.69 +0.17 pp
2016 57.52 +0.34 pp
2015 57.18 +0.2 pp
2014 56.98 +0.11 pp
2013 56.87 +0.21 pp
2012 56.65 +0.19 pp
2011 56.47 +0.11 pp
2010 56.36 −0.24 pp
2009 56.59 +0.01 pp
2008 56.59 +0.23 pp
2007 56.36 −0.08 pp
2006 56.44 +0.49 pp
2005 55.95 +0.37 pp
2004 55.58 +0.18 pp
2003 55.4 +0.08 pp
2002 55.32 +0.47 pp
2001 54.85 −0.01 pp
2000 54.86 +0.3 pp
1999 54.56 +0.66 pp
1998 53.9 +0.01 pp
1997 53.89 +0.26 pp
1996 53.63 +0.37 pp
1995 53.26 +0.04 pp
1994 53.22 −0.25 pp
1993 53.47 −0.14 pp
1992 53.61 −0.22 pp
1991 53.82 −0.23 pp
1990 54.05

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.