United States Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
United States's female labor participation was 56.34% in 2025, ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
United States's female labor participation stood at 56.34% in 2025, a decline of +0.22pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 56.82% by 2026. United States ranked 73rd globally.
The United States’ female labor‑force participation rate stood at 56.34 % in 2025, ranking it 73rd globally, and has fluctuated only modestly over the 36‑year series. After a gradual rise from 56.00 % in 1990, participation peaked at 58.68 % in 2000, reflecting the strong expansion of service‑sector jobs and higher educational attainment among women. The subsequent decline to a trough of 55.63 % in 2021 coincided with the COVID‑19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected sectors with high female employment and intensified caregiving responsibilities. By 2025 the rate had recovered partially but remains below the 2000 high, closely matching peers such as Finland (56.49 %) and Zambia (56.43 %). Continued improvements will likely depend on the durability of flexible work arrangements, childcare support policies, and the pace of economic recovery, which together could sustain a modest upward trajectory in female labor participation.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 57.21% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 57.02% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 56.82% | - | - |
| 2025 | 56.34% | −0.22pp | #73 |
| 2024 | 56.56% | −0.04pp | #71 |
| 2023 | 56.60% | +0.57pp | #68 |
| 2022 | 56.03% | +0.40pp | #68 |
| 2021 | 55.63% | −0.07pp | #69 |
| 2020 | 55.70% | −1.16pp | #69 |
| 2019 | 56.87% | +0.40pp | #63 |
| 2018 | 56.47% | +0.08pp | #62 |
| 2017 | 56.40% | +0.30pp | #64 |
| 2016 | 56.10% | +0.16pp | #67 |
| 2015 | 55.94% | −0.26pp | #66 |
| 2014 | 56.20% | −0.16pp | #63 |
| 2013 | 56.36% | −0.42pp | #64 |
| 2012 | 56.78% | −0.22pp | #63 |
| 2011 | 57.00% | −0.52pp | #62 |
Analysis
United States's female labor participation was 56.34% in 2025, a decline of −0.22pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 56.82% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's female labor participation was 56.34% in 2025. Ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from the previous year.
United States's female labor participation peaked at 58.68% in 2000.
The lowest female labor participation in United States was 55.63% in 2021.
United States ranks 73rd globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United States's female labor participation is projected to reach 56.82% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of United States in 2025 was 56.34%. This ranks 73rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_female-labor-participation,
title = {United States Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}