Norway Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Norway's female labor participation was 62.09% in 2025, ranked 36th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Norway's female labor participation stood at 62.09% in 2025, a decline of +0.21pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 62.18% by 2026. Norway ranked 36th globally.
Norway’s female labor‑force participation has risen steadily from 52.77 % in 1990, the all‑time trough, to 62.09 % in 2025, placing the country 36th globally. The upward trajectory peaked in 2008 at 64.55 %, after which participation modestly receded before resuming growth in the 2010s. Over the 36‑year span, the increase of 9.32 percentage points reflects both expanded childcare provisions and policies encouraging gender‑balanced employment, yet Norway still lags slightly behind peers such as Switzerland at 62.22 % and Zimbabwe at 62.16 % in the latest year. The modest gap suggests that further gains will depend on continued investment in flexible work arrangements and higher‑skill training for women, which could sustain the gradual rise and potentially push Norway above the 65 % threshold in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 62.13% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 62.15% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 62.18% | - | - |
| 2025 | 62.09% | −0.21pp | #36 |
| 2024 | 62.29% | −0.08pp | #34 |
| 2023 | 62.37% | +0.01pp | #37 |
| 2022 | 62.36% | +0.18pp | #33 |
| 2021 | 62.18% | −0.30pp | #32 |
| 2020 | 62.48% | −0.16pp | #31 |
| 2019 | 62.64% | +0.02pp | #30 |
| 2018 | 62.63% | −0.01pp | #31 |
| 2017 | 62.64% | −0.33pp | #31 |
| 2016 | 62.97% | −0.23pp | #30 |
| 2015 | 63.21% | +0.03pp | #29 |
| 2014 | 63.18% | −0.42pp | #31 |
| 2013 | 63.59% | +0.05pp | #31 |
| 2012 | 63.54% | −0.22pp | #32 |
| 2011 | 63.76% | −0.01pp | #33 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Norway 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
Norway's female labor participation was 62.09% in 2025. Ranked 36th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Norway's female labor participation peaked at 64.55% in 2008.
The lowest female labor participation in Norway was 52.78% in 1990.
Norway ranks 36th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Norway's female labor participation is projected to reach 62.18% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Norway in 2025 was 62.09%. This ranks 36th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_norway_female-labor-participation,
title = {Norway Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/norway/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}