Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — European Union

Labor force participation rate in the European Union in 2025 — 57.28%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 1.32 pp.

2025 57.28% −0.3 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 57.72%2023
Period minimum 55.03%1995

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — European Union, 1990–20255556575819901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 55.95%1991: 56.19%1992: 55.75%1993: 55.44%1994: 55.29%1995: 55.03%1996: 55.04%1997: 55.03%1998: 55.12%1999: 55.3%2000: 55.27%2001: 55.22%2002: 55.4%2003: 55.62%2004: 55.69%2005: 55.99%2006: 56.21%2007: 56.31%2008: 56.54%2009: 56.31%2010: 56.46%2011: 56.43%2012: 56.69%2013: 56.7%2014: 56.7%2015: 56.72%2016: 56.8%2017: 57%2018: 57.08%2019: 57.17%2020: 56.45%2021: 56.97%2022: 57.47%2023: 57.72%2024: 57.58%2025: 57.28%
Change over the period: +1.32 pp Annual average: 0.04 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: European Union

European Union 57.28%
World 60.98%
Labor force participation rate — European Union, by year European Union All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 57.28 −0.3 pp
2024 57.58 −0.14 pp
2023 57.72 +0.25 pp
2022 57.47 +0.5 pp
2021 56.97 +0.52 pp
2020 56.45 −0.72 pp
2019 57.17 +0.09 pp
2018 57.08 +0.08 pp
2017 57 +0.2 pp
2016 56.8 +0.09 pp
2015 56.72 +0.01 pp
2014 56.7 +0 pp
2013 56.7 +0.01 pp
2012 56.69 +0.26 pp
2011 56.43 −0.03 pp
2010 56.46 +0.15 pp
2009 56.31 −0.23 pp
2008 56.54 +0.23 pp
2007 56.31 +0.09 pp
2006 56.21 +0.22 pp
2005 55.99 +0.3 pp
2004 55.69 +0.07 pp
2003 55.62 +0.22 pp
2002 55.4 +0.18 pp
2001 55.22 −0.05 pp
2000 55.27 −0.04 pp
1999 55.3 +0.18 pp
1998 55.12 +0.09 pp
1997 55.03 −0.01 pp
1996 55.04 +0.02 pp
1995 55.03 −0.26 pp
1994 55.29 −0.15 pp
1993 55.44 −0.31 pp
1992 55.75 −0.43 pp
1991 56.19 +0.23 pp
1990 55.95

About the indicator

The share of the population aged 15 and over that belongs to the labor force. It shows how fully a country uses its labor potential. The decline in advanced countries comes from an aging population and longer years of schooling, while low values in developing ones usually come from limited participation by women.

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