Denmark Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Denmark's female labor participation was 60.79% in 2025, ranked 46th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Denmark's female labor participation stood at 60.79% in 2025, a decline of +0.11pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 61.83% by 2026. Denmark ranked 46th globally.
Denmark’s female labor participation stood at 60.79 % in 2025, placing the country 46th in the world according to World Bank data. This figure is marginally below the all‑time peak of 61.59 % recorded in 1992 and only slightly higher than the early‑1990s level of 61.11 % observed in 1990, indicating a long‑term plateau rather than sustained growth. The sharpest decline occurred in 2015 when participation fell to a trough of 56.84 %, after which the rate has gradually recovered but not yet reached its pre‑trough level. Compared with peers of similar rank, Denmark’s rate is close to Estonia’s 60.98 % and Azerbaijan’s 60.76 %, suggesting that its performance aligns with other high‑income economies that have struggled to expand women’s labour market attachment beyond the early 1990s. Continued policy emphasis on flexible work arrangements and affordable childcare could help reverse the modest stagnation and push participation above the historic peak in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 63.15% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 62.49% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 61.83% | - | - |
| 2025 | 60.79% | −0.11pp | #46 |
| 2024 | 60.90% | +1.09pp | #47 |
| 2023 | 59.81% | +0.26pp | #53 |
| 2022 | 59.55% | +1.39pp | #53 |
| 2021 | 58.16% | +0.27pp | #55 |
| 2020 | 57.89% | −0.17pp | #54 |
| 2019 | 58.06% | +0.41pp | #56 |
| 2018 | 57.65% | −0.09pp | #55 |
| 2017 | 57.74% | +0.06pp | #55 |
| 2016 | 57.68% | +0.84pp | #53 |
| 2015 | 56.84% | −0.26pp | #57 |
| 2014 | 57.10% | −0.58pp | #57 |
| 2013 | 57.68% | −0.60pp | #55 |
| 2012 | 58.28% | −0.43pp | #55 |
| 2011 | 58.71% | −0.26pp | #54 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Denmark matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Denmark's female labor participation was 60.79% in 2025. Ranked 46th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Denmark's female labor participation peaked at 61.59% in 1992.
The lowest female labor participation in Denmark was 56.84% in 2015.
Denmark ranks 46th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Denmark's female labor participation is projected to reach 61.83% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Denmark in 2025 was 60.79%. This ranks 46th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_denmark_female-labor-participation,
title = {Denmark Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/denmark/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}