Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Western Europe

Female labor force participation rate in Western Europe in 2025 — 54.64%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 8.57 pp.

2025 54.64% −0.29 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 55.14%2023
Period minimum 46.06%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Western Europe, 1990–20254547.55052.55557.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 46.06%1991: 47.46%1992: 47.72%1993: 47.82%1994: 48.23%1995: 48.3%1996: 48.64%1997: 48.8%1998: 49.13%1999: 49.65%2000: 49.72%2001: 49.8%2002: 50.12%2003: 50.74%2004: 50.62%2005: 51.33%2006: 51.9%2007: 52.33%2008: 52.4%2009: 52.82%2010: 52.79%2011: 53.28%2012: 53.42%2013: 53.74%2014: 53.74%2015: 53.78%2016: 53.94%2017: 54.02%2018: 54.2%2019: 54.42%2020: 53.93%2021: 54.48%2022: 54.87%2023: 55.14%2024: 54.93%2025: 54.64%
Change over the period: +8.57 pp Annual average: 0.24 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Western Europe 54.64%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Western Europe, by year Western Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 54.64 −0.29 pp
2024 54.93 −0.21 pp
2023 55.14 +0.27 pp
2022 54.87 +0.39 pp
2021 54.48 +0.55 pp
2020 53.93 −0.49 pp
2019 54.42 +0.22 pp
2018 54.2 +0.18 pp
2017 54.02 +0.08 pp
2016 53.94 +0.16 pp
2015 53.78 +0.04 pp
2014 53.74 +0 pp
2013 53.74 +0.32 pp
2012 53.42 +0.15 pp
2011 53.28 +0.49 pp
2010 52.79 −0.04 pp
2009 52.82 +0.42 pp
2008 52.4 +0.07 pp
2007 52.33 +0.43 pp
2006 51.9 +0.57 pp
2005 51.33 +0.71 pp
2004 50.62 −0.12 pp
2003 50.74 +0.62 pp
2002 50.12 +0.32 pp
2001 49.8 +0.08 pp
2000 49.72 +0.07 pp
1999 49.65 +0.52 pp
1998 49.13 +0.33 pp
1997 48.8 +0.16 pp
1996 48.64 +0.34 pp
1995 48.3 +0.08 pp
1994 48.23 +0.4 pp
1993 47.82 +0.1 pp
1992 47.72 +0.26 pp
1991 47.46 +1.4 pp
1990 46.06

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.