Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Southern Europe

Female labor force participation rate in Southern Europe in 2025 — 47.22%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 9.46 pp.

2025 47.22% −0.24 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 47.46%2024
Period minimum 37.54%1993

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Southern Europe, 1990–202537.54042.54547.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 37.76%1991: 38.07%1992: 37.67%1993: 37.54%1994: 37.78%1995: 37.85%1996: 38.28%1997: 38.65%1998: 39.13%1999: 39.63%2000: 40.14%2001: 39.93%2002: 40.88%2003: 41.55%2004: 42.55%2005: 42.89%2006: 43.38%2007: 43.65%2008: 44.34%2009: 44.52%2010: 44.68%2011: 44.91%2012: 45.58%2013: 45.44%2014: 45.63%2015: 45.56%2016: 45.87%2017: 46.1%2018: 46.1%2019: 46.3%2020: 45.17%2021: 45.93%2022: 46.61%2023: 47.3%2024: 47.46%2025: 47.22%
Change over the period: +9.46 pp Annual average: 0.27 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Southern Europe 47.22%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Southern Europe, by year Southern Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 47.22 −0.24 pp
2024 47.46 +0.16 pp
2023 47.3 +0.69 pp
2022 46.61 +0.68 pp
2021 45.93 +0.76 pp
2020 45.17 −1.14 pp
2019 46.3 +0.2 pp
2018 46.1 +0 pp
2017 46.1 +0.23 pp
2016 45.87 +0.31 pp
2015 45.56 −0.07 pp
2014 45.63 +0.19 pp
2013 45.44 −0.14 pp
2012 45.58 +0.67 pp
2011 44.91 +0.23 pp
2010 44.68 +0.16 pp
2009 44.52 +0.17 pp
2008 44.34 +0.69 pp
2007 43.65 +0.27 pp
2006 43.38 +0.5 pp
2005 42.89 +0.34 pp
2004 42.55 +1 pp
2003 41.55 +0.67 pp
2002 40.88 +0.96 pp
2001 39.93 −0.22 pp
2000 40.14 +0.51 pp
1999 39.63 +0.5 pp
1998 39.13 +0.47 pp
1997 38.65 +0.37 pp
1996 38.28 +0.43 pp
1995 37.85 +0.07 pp
1994 37.78 +0.24 pp
1993 37.54 −0.13 pp
1992 37.67 −0.4 pp
1991 38.07 +0.31 pp
1990 37.76

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.