European Union Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
European Union's female labor participation was 51.61% in 2025, ranked 106th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
European Union's female labor participation stood at 51.61% in 2025, a decline of +0.26pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 52.07% by 2026. European Union ranked 106th globally.
The European Union's female labor participation rate has experienced a modest increase over the past three and a half decades, with a slight fluctuation around the 51% mark. At 51.61% in 2025, the EU's rate stands at the same level as that of Poland, its closest peer in ranking. Since the trough of 44.61% in 1990, the rate has risen by approximately 7 percentage points, with the all-time peak of 51.97% achieved in 2023, only 0.36 percentage points above the current rate. This gradual rise suggests a steady improvement in women's participation in the workforce, although the rate remains below the global average. A continued shift towards more flexible work arrangements, improved childcare infrastructure, and greater support for work-life balance policies could further boost the female labor participation rate in the EU, potentially leading it to surpass the global average and close the gap with more developed economies.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 52.38% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 52.22% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 52.07% | - | - |
| 2025 | 51.61% | −0.26pp | #106 |
| 2024 | 51.87% | −0.10pp | #105 |
| 2023 | 51.97% | +0.40pp | #106 |
| 2022 | 51.57% | +0.58pp | #107 |
| 2021 | 50.99% | +0.69pp | #105 |
| 2020 | 50.29% | −0.66pp | #104 |
| 2019 | 50.96% | +0.15pp | #109 |
| 2018 | 50.80% | +0.10pp | #110 |
| 2017 | 50.71% | +0.24pp | #109 |
| 2016 | 50.46% | +0.18pp | #108 |
| 2015 | 50.29% | +0.06pp | #110 |
| 2014 | 50.23% | +0.13pp | #110 |
| 2013 | 50.10% | +0.13pp | #108 |
| 2012 | 49.97% | +0.40pp | #109 |
| 2011 | 49.57% | +0.24pp | #107 |
Analysis
European Union's female labor participation was 51.61% in 2025, a decline of −0.26pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 52.07% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's female labor participation was 51.61% in 2025. Ranked 106th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
European Union's female labor participation peaked at 51.97% in 2023.
The lowest female labor participation in European Union was 44.61% in 1990.
European Union ranks 106th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's female labor participation is projected to reach 52.07% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of European Union in 2025 was 51.61%. This ranks 106th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_female-labor-participation,
title = {European Union Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}