In 2024, the employment rate in Japan reached 61.7 percent, up from about 61.2 percent in the previous year. Japan's unemployment rate has been comparatively low compared to other major industrial and emerging countries.

In 2024, around 87.6 percent of the population aged 25 to 34 years in Japan were employed. The employment rate of people aged 65 and older increased to 25.7 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Monthly Unemployment Rate Total: From 15 to 24 Years for Japan (LRHU24TTJPM156N) from Jan 1968 to Jan 2025 about 15 to 24 years, harmonized, Japan, unemployment, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Male: From 15 to 24 Years for Japan (LREM24MAJPQ156S) from Q1 1970 to Q4 2024 about 15 to 24 years, employment-population ratio, males, Japan, employment, population, and rate.

In 2024, around 69.6 percent of the male population aged 15 years and older in Japan were employed, while 54.2 percent of the female population were in employment. Accordingly, the female employment rate reached a record high.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Female: From 25 to 54 Years for Japan (LREM25FEJPM156S) from Jan 1981 to Dec 2024 about 25 to 54 years, employment-population ratio, females, Japan, employment, population, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Female: From 55 to 64 Years for Japan (LREM55FEJPA156S) from 1968 to 2024 about 55 to 64 years, employment-population ratio, females, Japan, employment, population, and rate.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Japan decreased to 3.80 percent in October from 4 percent in September of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Japan Youth Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Japan JP: Employment Rate Gap data was reported at 0.854 % in 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.294 % for 2025. Japan JP: Employment Rate Gap data is updated yearly, averaging -0.112 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2026, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.854 % in 2026 and a record low of -1.235 % in 2021. Japan JP: Employment Rate Gap data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.OECD.EO: Employment and Unemployment: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual.

Japan JP: Employment Rate: Age 15-74 data was reported at 78.405 % in 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 77.558 % for 2025. Japan JP: Employment Rate: Age 15-74 data is updated yearly, averaging 65.603 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2026, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 78.405 % in 2026 and a record low of 63.575 % in 2003. Japan JP: Employment Rate: Age 15-74 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.OECD.EO: Employment and Unemployment: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: 15 Years or over for Japan (LREMTTTTJPM156N) from Jan 1955 to Jan 2025 about 15 years +, employment-population ratio, Japan, employment, population, and rate.

The number of employed people in Japan was forecast to continuously decrease between 2024 and 2025 by in total 0.2 million people (-0.3 percent). The number is estimated to amount to 67.37 million people in 2025. As defined by the International Monetary Fund, the number of employed people refers to persons who during a pre-defined period, either: a) performed wage or salary work, b) held a formal attachment to their job (even if not currently working), (c) performed for-profit work for personal or family gain, (d) were with an enterprise although temporarily not at work for any specific reason.Find more statistics on other topics about Japan with key insights such as the budget balance in relation to the gross domestic product, the growth of the real the gross domestic product, and the average inflation rate.

Part Time Employment in Japan decreased to 7749 Thousand in January from 7834 Thousand in December of 2024. This dataset provides - Japan Part Time Employment- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Hokkaido data was reported at 2.800 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.000 % for Jun 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Hokkaido data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.400 % from Mar 1983 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.100 % in Mar 2003 and a record low of 2.100 % in Sep 1992. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Hokkaido data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G034: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate by Region.

Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Kyusyu, Okinawa data was reported at 2.600 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.700 % for Jun 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Kyusyu, Okinawa data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.000 % from Mar 1983 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.600 % in Jun 2003 and a record low of 2.400 % in Dec 1992. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Kyusyu, Okinawa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G034: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate by Region.

Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 15 to 24 Years data was reported at 49.400 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 48.400 % for Nov 2024. Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 15 to 24 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 42.200 % from Jul 1972 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 630 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 58.400 % in Jul 1972 and a record low of 34.900 % in Mar 2012. Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 15 to 24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G027: Labour Force Survey: Employment Rate.

Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 20 to 69 Years data was reported at 87.400 % in Sep 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 87.500 % for Aug 2024. Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 20 to 69 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 86.600 % from Jul 1972 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 627 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 91.700 % in Oct 1973 and a record low of 81.400 % in Feb 2010. Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 20 to 69 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G026: Labour Force Survey: Employment Rate.

Japan Employment Rate by Age: 15 to 64 Years data was reported at 80.000 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 79.800 % for Nov 2024. Japan Employment Rate by Age: 15 to 64 Years data is updated monthly, averaging 69.200 % from Jul 1972 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 630 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 80.000 % in Dec 2024 and a record low of 63.600 % in Jan 1975. Japan Employment Rate by Age: 15 to 64 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G027: Labour Force Survey: Employment Rate.

Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 65 Years & Above data was reported at 33.900 % in Jan 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 34.000 % for Dec 2024. Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 65 Years & Above data is updated monthly, averaging 34.400 % from Jul 1972 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 631 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 49.300 % in Oct 1973 and a record low of 26.400 % in Jan 2012. Japan Employment Rate by Age: Male: 65 Years & Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G028: Labour Force Survey: Employment Rate.

In 2024, the employment rate for women in Japan stood at 54.2 percent, up from about 53.6 percent in the previous year. The male employment rate was 69.6 percent in 2024.Increasing number of working womenAs Japan is facing severe demographic challenges, the government has tried for many years to increase the number of women in the workforce. In 2013, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared his commitment to creating "a society in which women shine", calling it “a matter of the greatest urgency”. Since then, the number of employed women noticeably increased, exceeding 30 million in 2024. Attitudes slow to changeDespite these advances, Japanese corporate culture as well as gender attitudes are only slowly changing. While the number of working women has certainly increased, some voices criticize that Japan still lags behind when it comes to women in leadership positions. This criticism is also extended to political leadership positions, as women in the House of Representatives made up around 10 percent of diet members in 2023.