Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — Japan

Vulnerable employment in Japan in 2025 — 7.49%. Ranked 23 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 10.22 pp.

2025 7.49% −0.15 pp vs 2024
World rank 23of 182
Period maximum 17.71%1991
Period minimum 7.49%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — Japan, 1991–2025510152019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 17.71%1992: 16.87%1993: 15.95%1994: 15.58%1995: 15.29%1996: 14.82%1997: 14.66%1998: 14.01%1999: 13.76%2000: 13.25%2001: 12.66%2002: 12.31%2003: 12.14%2004: 12.04%2005: 11.74%2006: 10.94%2007: 10.55%2008: 10.26%2009: 9.95%2010: 9.63%2011: 9.4%2012: 9.32%2013: 9.13%2014: 9.08%2015: 8.82%2016: 8.43%2017: 8.32%2018: 8.22%2019: 8.11%2020: 8.11%2021: 8.65%2022: 7.89%2023: 7.88%2024: 7.63%2025: 7.49%
Change over the period: −10.22 pp Annual average: -0.3 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Japan 7.49%
World 42.38%
Eastern Asia computed 31.19%
High-income countries computed 7.92%
Vulnerable employment — Japan, by year Japan All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 7.49 −0.15 pp
2024 7.63 −0.25 pp
2023 7.88 −0.01 pp
2022 7.89 −0.76 pp
2021 8.65 +0.54 pp
2020 8.11 +0 pp
2019 8.11 −0.12 pp
2018 8.22 −0.09 pp
2017 8.32 −0.11 pp
2016 8.43 −0.39 pp
2015 8.82 −0.26 pp
2014 9.08 −0.05 pp
2013 9.13 −0.19 pp
2012 9.32 −0.08 pp
2011 9.4 −0.23 pp
2010 9.63 −0.32 pp
2009 9.95 −0.3 pp
2008 10.26 −0.29 pp
2007 10.55 −0.39 pp
2006 10.94 −0.81 pp
2005 11.74 −0.3 pp
2004 12.04 −0.1 pp
2003 12.14 −0.17 pp
2002 12.31 −0.35 pp
2001 12.66 −0.58 pp
2000 13.25 −0.52 pp
1999 13.76 −0.25 pp
1998 14.01 −0.65 pp
1997 14.66 −0.16 pp
1996 14.82 −0.46 pp
1995 15.29 −0.29 pp
1994 15.58 −0.36 pp
1993 15.95 −0.93 pp
1992 16.87 −0.83 pp
1991 17.71

Eastern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

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