Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — Iran

Labor force participation rate in Iran in 2025 — 40.97%. Ranked 171 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 6.18 pp.

2025 40.97% −0.3 pp vs 2024
World rank 171of 182
Period maximum 47.14%1990
Period minimum 40.56%2022

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — Iran, 1990–2025404244464819901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 47.14%1991: 46.78%1992: 46.31%1993: 45.8%1994: 45.23%1995: 44.6%1996: 43.93%1997: 43.93%1998: 43.95%1999: 44.01%2000: 44.13%2001: 44.33%2002: 44.57%2003: 44.96%2004: 45.51%2005: 46.12%2006: 45.29%2007: 44.43%2008: 42.27%2009: 43.03%2010: 42.3%2011: 40.62%2012: 41.77%2013: 41.15%2014: 40.89%2015: 41.94%2016: 43.17%2017: 44.24%2018: 44.39%2019: 44.03%2020: 41.36%2021: 41.04%2022: 40.56%2023: 41.52%2024: 41.27%2025: 40.97%
Change over the period: −6.18 pp Annual average: -0.18 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Iran 40.97%
World 60.98%
Southern Asia computed 54.18%
Labor force participation rate — Iran, by year Iran All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 40.97 −0.3 pp
2024 41.27 −0.25 pp
2023 41.52 +0.96 pp
2022 40.56 −0.48 pp
2021 41.04 −0.32 pp
2020 41.36 −2.67 pp
2019 44.03 −0.36 pp
2018 44.39 +0.16 pp
2017 44.24 +1.07 pp
2016 43.17 +1.22 pp
2015 41.94 +1.05 pp
2014 40.89 −0.26 pp
2013 41.15 −0.62 pp
2012 41.77 +1.15 pp
2011 40.62 −1.68 pp
2010 42.3 −0.74 pp
2009 43.03 +0.76 pp
2008 42.27 −2.16 pp
2007 44.43 −0.86 pp
2006 45.29 −0.83 pp
2005 46.12 +0.61 pp
2004 45.51 +0.55 pp
2003 44.96 +0.39 pp
2002 44.57 +0.25 pp
2001 44.33 +0.19 pp
2000 44.13 +0.12 pp
1999 44.01 +0.06 pp
1998 43.95 +0.02 pp
1997 43.93 +0 pp
1996 43.93 −0.67 pp
1995 44.6 −0.63 pp
1994 45.23 −0.57 pp
1993 45.8 −0.51 pp
1992 46.31 −0.47 pp
1991 46.78 −0.36 pp
1990 47.14

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.