Spain Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Spain's labor force participation was 57.41% in 2025, ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Spain's labor force participation stood at 57.41% in 2025, a decline of +0.43pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.70% by 2026. Spain ranked 123rd globally.
Spain's labor force participation has shown a mixed trend over the past three and a half decades, with the rate fluctuating between 49.74% in 1991, the all-time trough, and 59.40% in 2012, the all-time peak. Despite a slight increase from 49.86% in 1990 to 51.51% in 1995, Spain's labor force participation remained relatively stable until 2012. Since then, the rate has gradually declined, with the latest value standing at 57.41% in 2025. This is comparable to Uzbekistan's labor force participation rate, which ranks slightly higher at 57.50%. The European Union average, at 57.27%, also provides a benchmark for comparison. The slight decline in labor force participation since 2012 may be attributed to demographic changes and shifts in the labor market. A reversal of this trend could be driven by economic growth, improvements in education and training, or changes in labor market policies that promote workforce participation.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 57.81% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 57.76% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 57.70% | - | - |
| 2025 | 57.41% | −0.43pp | #123 |
| 2024 | 57.84% | +0.26pp | #120 |
| 2023 | 57.59% | +0.02pp | #124 |
| 2022 | 57.57% | +0.30pp | #126 |
| 2021 | 57.27% | +0.87pp | #122 |
| 2020 | 56.40% | −1.22pp | #122 |
| 2019 | 57.63% | −0.01pp | #127 |
| 2018 | 57.63% | −0.41pp | #127 |
| 2017 | 58.05% | −0.28pp | #126 |
| 2016 | 58.33% | −0.30pp | #121 |
| 2015 | 58.62% | −0.11pp | #121 |
| 2014 | 58.73% | −0.40pp | #121 |
| 2013 | 59.13% | −0.27pp | #116 |
| 2012 | 59.40% | +0.03pp | #112 |
| 2011 | 59.37% | +0.02pp | #111 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Spain matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. 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
Spain's labor force participation was 57.41% in 2025. Ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from the previous year.
Spain's labor force participation peaked at 59.40% in 2012.
The lowest labor force participation in Spain was 49.74% in 1991.
Spain ranks 123rd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Spain's labor force participation is projected to reach 57.70% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Spain in 2025 was 57.41%. This ranks 123rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_spain_labor-force-participation,
title = {Spain Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/spain/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}