Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — High-income countries

Female share of the labor force in high-income countries in 2025 — 45.06%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 2.53 pp.

2025 45.06% −0.02 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 45.09%2024
Period minimum 42.53%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — High-income countries, 1990–2025424344454619901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 42.53%1991: 42.66%1992: 42.68%1993: 42.68%1994: 42.86%1995: 42.94%1996: 43.05%1997: 43.19%1998: 43.24%1999: 43.47%2000: 43.59%2001: 43.67%2002: 43.82%2003: 43.94%2004: 44.03%2005: 44.13%2006: 44.21%2007: 44.2%2008: 44.22%2009: 44.39%2010: 44.42%2011: 44.44%2012: 44.4%2013: 44.37%2014: 44.4%2015: 44.32%2016: 44.34%2017: 44.42%2018: 44.54%2019: 44.69%2020: 44.71%2021: 44.88%2022: 44.96%2023: 45.04%2024: 45.09%2025: 45.06%
Change over the period: +2.53 pp Annual average: 0.07 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

High-income countries 45.06%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — High-income countries, by year High-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 45.06 −0.02 pp
2024 45.09 +0.05 pp
2023 45.04 +0.08 pp
2022 44.96 +0.08 pp
2021 44.88 +0.17 pp
2020 44.71 +0.03 pp
2019 44.69 +0.14 pp
2018 44.54 +0.12 pp
2017 44.42 +0.08 pp
2016 44.34 +0.02 pp
2015 44.32 −0.08 pp
2014 44.4 +0.03 pp
2013 44.37 −0.03 pp
2012 44.4 −0.04 pp
2011 44.44 +0.02 pp
2010 44.42 +0.03 pp
2009 44.39 +0.16 pp
2008 44.22 +0.02 pp
2007 44.2 −0 pp
2006 44.21 +0.08 pp
2005 44.13 +0.1 pp
2004 44.03 +0.09 pp
2003 43.94 +0.12 pp
2002 43.82 +0.15 pp
2001 43.67 +0.08 pp
2000 43.59 +0.12 pp
1999 43.47 +0.23 pp
1998 43.24 +0.05 pp
1997 43.19 +0.14 pp
1996 43.05 +0.1 pp
1995 42.94 +0.09 pp
1994 42.86 +0.17 pp
1993 42.68 +0 pp
1992 42.68 +0.02 pp
1991 42.66 +0.13 pp
1990 42.53

About the indicator

The share of women in the total labor force. It differs from female labor force participation in measuring composition rather than reach: the first answers what part of those working are women, the second what part of women work. Fifty percent would mean complete equality of composition; in most countries it comes to between forty and forty-eight, and in the Gulf states and South Asia to less than twenty.

Important: A measure of composition, not of access: the share can rise because men are leaving the labor market. It is worth reading together with female labor force participation.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.