Virgin Islands (US) Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Virgin Islands (US)'s labor force participation was 54.36% in 2025, ranked 141st globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Virgin Islands (US)'s labor force participation stood at 54.36% in 2025, a decline of +0.11pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 54.76% by 2026. Virgin Islands (US) ranked 141st globally.
Virgin Islands (US) labor force participation has fallen markedly since its 1992 peak of 70.61%, slipping to a trough of 52.30% in 2019 before a modest rebound to 54.36% in 2025, placing the territory at rank 141 globally. The 36‑year series shows a long‑term downward drift, with only a slight recovery in the most recent year after a decade of decline. Compared with peers occupying similar positions in the World Bank ranking, the Virgin Islands’ 2025 rate is virtually identical to Türkiye’s 54.38% and marginally above Belgium’s 54.27%, yet remains below Guyana’s 54.99% and above Suriname’s 53.82%. The persistent contraction reflects structural constraints such as limited diversification of the service‑oriented economy and demographic aging, which have curtailed labor market attachment. If policies that expand vocational training and promote higher‑value tourism and digital services take hold, the participation rate could stabilize above the 2025 level and resume a gradual upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 55.06% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 54.91% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 54.76% | - | - |
| 2025 | 54.36% | −0.11pp | #141 |
| 2024 | 54.47% | −0.09pp | #141 |
| 2023 | 54.56% | +0.04pp | #141 |
| 2022 | 54.52% | +0.96pp | #139 |
| 2021 | 53.56% | +1.11pp | #140 |
| 2020 | 52.45% | +0.15pp | #143 |
| 2019 | 52.30% | −2.76pp | #149 |
| 2018 | 55.07% | −4.07pp | #141 |
| 2017 | 59.14% | +0.81pp | #113 |
| 2016 | 58.32% | −0.33pp | #122 |
| 2015 | 58.65% | +2.39pp | #120 |
| 2014 | 56.27% | −0.69pp | #131 |
| 2013 | 56.95% | −3.39pp | #128 |
| 2012 | 60.34% | −1.14pp | #100 |
| 2011 | 61.48% | +0.58pp | #89 |
Analysis
Virgin Islands (US)'s labor force participation was 54.36% in 2025, a decline of −0.11pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 54.76% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Virgin Islands (US)'s labor force participation was 54.36% in 2025. Ranked 141st globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Virgin Islands (US)'s labor force participation peaked at 70.61% in 1992.
The lowest labor force participation in Virgin Islands (US) was 52.30% in 2019.
Virgin Islands (US) ranks 141st globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Virgin Islands (US)'s labor force participation is projected to reach 54.76% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Virgin Islands (US) in 2025 was 54.36%. This ranks 141st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_virgin-islands-us_labor-force-participation,
title = {Virgin Islands (US) Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/virgin-islands-us/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}