Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — Northern Europe

Labor force participation rate in Northern Europe in 2025 — 62.3%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 1.05 pp.

2025 62.3% −0.18 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 63.35%1990
Period minimum 61.44%1995

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — Northern Europe, 1990–20256161.56262.56363.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 63.35%1991: 62.94%1992: 62.41%1993: 61.86%1994: 61.51%1995: 61.44%1996: 61.47%1997: 61.58%1998: 61.45%1999: 61.8%2000: 61.87%2001: 61.68%2002: 61.9%2003: 62.04%2004: 61.98%2005: 62.26%2006: 62.64%2007: 62.58%2008: 62.75%2009: 62.37%2010: 62.03%2011: 62.02%2012: 62.12%2013: 62.1%2014: 62.15%2015: 62.28%2016: 62.45%2017: 62.49%2018: 62.73%2019: 62.78%2020: 62.62%2021: 62.4%2022: 62.59%2023: 62.67%2024: 62.48%2025: 62.3%
Change over the period: −1.05 pp Annual average: -0.03 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Northern Europe 62.3%
World 60.98%
Labor force participation rate — Northern Europe, by year Northern Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 62.3 −0.18 pp
2024 62.48 −0.19 pp
2023 62.67 +0.08 pp
2022 62.59 +0.19 pp
2021 62.4 −0.21 pp
2020 62.62 −0.16 pp
2019 62.78 +0.05 pp
2018 62.73 +0.24 pp
2017 62.49 +0.03 pp
2016 62.45 +0.17 pp
2015 62.28 +0.12 pp
2014 62.15 +0.06 pp
2013 62.1 −0.02 pp
2012 62.12 +0.1 pp
2011 62.02 −0.01 pp
2010 62.03 −0.34 pp
2009 62.37 −0.38 pp
2008 62.75 +0.17 pp
2007 62.58 −0.07 pp
2006 62.64 +0.38 pp
2005 62.26 +0.28 pp
2004 61.98 −0.07 pp
2003 62.04 +0.14 pp
2002 61.9 +0.22 pp
2001 61.68 −0.19 pp
2000 61.87 +0.07 pp
1999 61.8 +0.34 pp
1998 61.45 −0.13 pp
1997 61.58 +0.11 pp
1996 61.47 +0.04 pp
1995 61.44 −0.08 pp
1994 61.51 −0.34 pp
1993 61.86 −0.55 pp
1992 62.41 −0.53 pp
1991 62.94 −0.41 pp
1990 63.35

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.