Latvia Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Latvia's labor force participation was 60.52% in 2025, ranked 98th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Latvia's labor force participation stood at 60.52% in 2025, a decline of +0.32pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 60.91% by 2026. Latvia ranked 98th globally.
Latvia’s labor force participation rate has shown little net change over the 36‑year span from 1990 to 2025, moving from 60.67 % in 1990 to 60.52 % in the most recent year, placing the country 98th globally. The series peaked at 61.57 % in 1992, shortly after the restoration of independence, before declining to an all‑time trough of 56.15 % in 2000, a period marked by structural adjustments and rising unemployment. Since the trough, participation has recovered gradually, yet the modest rise has not restored the early‑1990s high. Latvia’s current level is closely aligned with peers such as Germany (60.57 %) and Hungary (60.58 %), suggesting similar labor market dynamics despite differing economic structures. The persistence of a flat trajectory implies that without targeted policies to boost employment among under‑represented groups, especially older workers and women, the participation rate is likely to remain near its present plateau in the near term.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 61.06% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 60.99% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 60.91% | - | - |
| 2025 | 60.52% | −0.32pp | #98 |
| 2024 | 60.84% | −0.15pp | #98 |
| 2023 | 60.99% | +0.05pp | #100 |
| 2022 | 60.94% | +0.86pp | #98 |
| 2021 | 60.08% | −1.49pp | #100 |
| 2020 | 61.57% | +0.48pp | #79 |
| 2019 | 61.09% | −0.25pp | #96 |
| 2018 | 61.34% | +0.55pp | #91 |
| 2017 | 60.79% | +0.44pp | #91 |
| 2016 | 60.35% | +0.31pp | #103 |
| 2015 | 60.04% | +0.80pp | #104 |
| 2014 | 59.23% | −0.08pp | #111 |
| 2013 | 59.31% | −0.37pp | #109 |
| 2012 | 59.68% | +1.18pp | #107 |
| 2011 | 58.50% | −0.32pp | #118 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Latvia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Latvia's labor force participation was 60.52% in 2025. Ranked 98th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Latvia's labor force participation peaked at 61.57% in 1992.
The lowest labor force participation in Latvia was 56.15% in 2000.
Latvia ranks 98th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Latvia's labor force participation is projected to reach 60.91% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Latvia in 2025 was 60.52%. This ranks 98th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_latvia_labor-force-participation,
title = {Latvia Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/latvia/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}