Female share of the labor force — all countries

Female share of the labor force — Northern Europe

Female share of the labor force in Northern Europe in 2025 — 47.75%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 3.16 pp.

2025 47.75% −0.01 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 47.76%2024
Period minimum 44.59%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of labor force

Female share of the labor force — Northern Europe, 1990–2025444546474819901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 44.59%1991: 44.69%1992: 44.85%1993: 45.09%1994: 45.13%1995: 45.21%1996: 45.47%1997: 45.6%1998: 45.68%1999: 45.94%2000: 46.1%2001: 46.2%2002: 46.39%2003: 46.32%2004: 46.49%2005: 46.54%2006: 46.6%2007: 46.53%2008: 46.55%2009: 46.82%2010: 46.85%2011: 46.9%2012: 46.95%2013: 47.1%2014: 47.12%2015: 47.14%2016: 47.24%2017: 47.31%2018: 47.31%2019: 47.55%2020: 47.62%2021: 47.76%2022: 47.7%2023: 47.58%2024: 47.76%2025: 47.75%
Change over the period: +3.16 pp Annual average: 0.09 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Northern Europe 47.75%
World 40.18%
Female share of the labor force — Northern Europe, by year Northern Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 47.75 −0.01 pp
2024 47.76 +0.18 pp
2023 47.58 −0.12 pp
2022 47.7 −0.06 pp
2021 47.76 +0.13 pp
2020 47.62 +0.08 pp
2019 47.55 +0.24 pp
2018 47.31 −0 pp
2017 47.31 +0.08 pp
2016 47.24 +0.1 pp
2015 47.14 +0.02 pp
2014 47.12 +0.01 pp
2013 47.1 +0.15 pp
2012 46.95 +0.05 pp
2011 46.9 +0.06 pp
2010 46.85 +0.03 pp
2009 46.82 +0.27 pp
2008 46.55 +0.02 pp
2007 46.53 −0.07 pp
2006 46.6 +0.07 pp
2005 46.54 +0.05 pp
2004 46.49 +0.16 pp
2003 46.32 −0.07 pp
2002 46.39 +0.19 pp
2001 46.2 +0.09 pp
2000 46.1 +0.16 pp
1999 45.94 +0.27 pp
1998 45.68 +0.08 pp
1997 45.6 +0.12 pp
1996 45.47 +0.27 pp
1995 45.21 +0.07 pp
1994 45.13 +0.04 pp
1993 45.09 +0.25 pp
1992 44.85 +0.16 pp
1991 44.69 +0.1 pp
1990 44.59

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.