Labor force participation rate — all countries

Labor force participation rate — Southern Europe

Labor force participation rate in Southern Europe in 2025 — 53.75%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 1.6 pp.

2025 53.75% −0.3 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 54.05%2024
Period minimum 50.56%1995

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Labor force participation rate — Southern Europe, 1990–202550515253545519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 52.15%1991: 52.29%1992: 51.46%1993: 51.13%1994: 50.89%1995: 50.56%1996: 50.77%1997: 50.92%1998: 51.23%1999: 51.43%2000: 51.69%2001: 51.42%2002: 52.04%2003: 52.49%2004: 53.12%2005: 53.22%2006: 53.49%2007: 53.56%2008: 53.87%2009: 53.6%2010: 53.43%2011: 53.35%2012: 53.63%2013: 53.27%2014: 53.27%2015: 53.19%2016: 53.37%2017: 53.51%2018: 53.46%2019: 53.48%2020: 52.31%2021: 52.82%2022: 53.51%2023: 53.96%2024: 54.05%2025: 53.75%
Change over the period: +1.6 pp Annual average: 0.05 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Southern Europe 53.75%
World 60.98%
Labor force participation rate — Southern Europe, by year Southern Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 53.75 −0.3 pp
2024 54.05 +0.09 pp
2023 53.96 +0.45 pp
2022 53.51 +0.7 pp
2021 52.82 +0.51 pp
2020 52.31 −1.18 pp
2019 53.48 +0.02 pp
2018 53.46 −0.05 pp
2017 53.51 +0.14 pp
2016 53.37 +0.17 pp
2015 53.19 −0.07 pp
2014 53.27 −0 pp
2013 53.27 −0.36 pp
2012 53.63 +0.28 pp
2011 53.35 −0.07 pp
2010 53.43 −0.18 pp
2009 53.6 −0.27 pp
2008 53.87 +0.32 pp
2007 53.56 +0.07 pp
2006 53.49 +0.26 pp
2005 53.22 +0.1 pp
2004 53.12 +0.63 pp
2003 52.49 +0.45 pp
2002 52.04 +0.62 pp
2001 51.42 −0.26 pp
2000 51.69 +0.26 pp
1999 51.43 +0.2 pp
1998 51.23 +0.31 pp
1997 50.92 +0.15 pp
1996 50.77 +0.2 pp
1995 50.56 −0.32 pp
1994 50.89 −0.25 pp
1993 51.13 −0.33 pp
1992 51.46 −0.83 pp
1991 52.29 +0.14 pp
1990 52.15

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.