Romania Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Romania's labor force participation was 51.33% in 2025, ranked 154th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Romania's labor force participation stood at 51.33% in 2025, a decline of +0.13pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 50.89% by 2026. Romania ranked 154th globally.
Romania's labor force participation rate has experienced fluctuations over the past three and a half decades, with the latest figure standing at 51.33% in 2025, ranking 154 globally. The country's participation rate has been on an upward trajectory since 2009, when it bottomed out at 47.21%, and has even surpassed its pre-crisis levels, reaching an all-time high of 52.64% in 2022. However, Romania's participation rate still lags behind that of its peer countries, such as North Macedonia, which boasts a 51.94% rate, and Greece, with a 51.96% rate. The rate has increased steadily since 1990, when it stood at 50.06%. As the global economic landscape continues to evolve, a significant shift in Romania's economic policy or demographic trends could alter the trajectory of its labor force participation rate, potentially propelling it to new heights or exacerbating existing challenges.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 50.20% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 50.55% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 50.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | 51.33% | −0.13pp | #154 |
| 2024 | 51.46% | −0.28pp | #154 |
| 2023 | 51.74% | −0.90pp | #155 |
| 2022 | 52.64% | +0.17pp | #150 |
| 2021 | 52.47% | +0.47pp | #147 |
| 2020 | 52.00% | −0.02pp | #147 |
| 2019 | 52.02% | +0.19pp | #153 |
| 2018 | 51.83% | −0.00pp | #152 |
| 2017 | 51.84% | +0.90pp | #153 |
| 2016 | 50.94% | −0.30pp | #157 |
| 2015 | 51.24% | +0.72pp | #155 |
| 2014 | 50.52% | +0.44pp | #156 |
| 2013 | 50.08% | +0.04pp | #157 |
| 2012 | 50.04% | +0.14pp | #156 |
| 2011 | 49.91% | −0.35pp | #155 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Romania matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2023. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Romania's labor force participation was 51.33% in 2025. Ranked 154th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Romania's labor force participation peaked at 52.64% in 2022.
The lowest labor force participation in Romania was 47.21% in 2009.
Romania ranks 154th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Romania's labor force participation is projected to reach 50.89% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Romania in 2025 was 51.33%. This ranks 154th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_romania_labor-force-participation,
title = {Romania Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/romania/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}