Japan Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Japan's female labor participation was 55.91% in 2025, ranked 74th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Japan's female labor participation stood at 55.91% in 2025, a rise of +0.31pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 56.69% by 2026. Japan ranked 74th globally.
Japan’s female labor‑force participation has risen steadily over the 36‑year series, moving from 50.06 % in 1990 to an all‑time high of 55.91 % in 2025, the same year it recorded its peak level and ranked 74th globally. The indicator’s lowest point occurred in 2012 at 48.03 %, after which a gradual recovery set in, reflecting policy initiatives aimed at expanding childcare provision and encouraging flexible work arrangements. Japan’s 2025 figure of 55.91 % sits just below the United States (56.34 %) and Malta (55.80 %), illustrating that Japan remains marginally behind the leading advanced economies but has closed much of the gap that existed in the early 2000s. Continued demographic pressure from an ageing population and the government’s commitment to “Womenomics” suggest that participation could edge higher, provided reforms in parental leave and corporate culture sustain momentum.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 57.95% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 57.32% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 56.69% | - | - |
| 2025 | 55.91% | +0.31pp | #74 |
| 2024 | 55.60% | +0.75pp | #77 |
| 2023 | 54.85% | +0.67pp | #82 |
| 2022 | 54.17% | +0.71pp | #83 |
| 2021 | 53.46% | +0.37pp | #84 |
| 2020 | 53.09% | −0.15pp | #89 |
| 2019 | 53.24% | +0.87pp | #93 |
| 2018 | 52.37% | +1.34pp | #97 |
| 2017 | 51.03% | +0.82pp | #107 |
| 2016 | 50.21% | +0.80pp | #109 |
| 2015 | 49.41% | +0.23pp | #115 |
| 2014 | 49.18% | +0.44pp | #113 |
| 2013 | 48.74% | +0.71pp | #115 |
| 2012 | 48.03% | −0.06pp | #120 |
| 2011 | 48.09% | −0.25pp | #115 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Japan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2004. 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
Japan's female labor participation was 55.91% in 2025. Ranked 74th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from the previous year.
Japan's female labor participation peaked at 55.91% in 2025.
The lowest female labor participation in Japan was 48.03% in 2012.
Japan ranks 74th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Japan's female labor participation is projected to reach 56.69% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Japan in 2025 was 55.91%. This ranks 74th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_japan_female-labor-participation,
title = {Japan Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/japan/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}