Since 1990, the employment rate of women in the United States has stayed more or less steady, reaching a peak of 57.5 percent in 2000. In 1990, the female employment rate was 54.3 percent, and in 2024, the employment rate was 55.2. Women in the workforce There have historically been fewer women than men in the workforce. Additionally, women face many hurdles to equal treatment when they are employed, such as wage discrepancies, sexual harassment, and being expected to carry out the majority of household and family related tasks even while working full-time. Women have historically been the primary caregivers and homemakers through many cultures worldwide. Despite this, the number of women joining the workforce has increased globally. Women in history faced the additional barrier of not being able to attend university, which barred them from gaining an education and access to professional job. However, as our cultures have modernized, women have been granted equal access to university in many societies. In 2014 in the United States, the number of university degrees awarded to women exceeded that of men for the first time. In 2021, 39.1 percent of women had completed at least four years of university compared to 36.6 percent of men. Despite this, the unemployment rate of women in the United States has fluctuated significantly since 1990. In 2021, Nebraska was the state with the highest percentage of women participating in the civilian labor force, second to the District of Columbia. The wage gap Today, the wage gap is still a problem for women, although improvements have been made. There is no state in the U.S. where women earn more than men, but women in Vermont had the smallest wage gap to men in 2021. Additionally, there are no occupations in which women out-earn men, even in occupations that traditionally employ more women. A more detailed look at wage inequality in the United States can be found here.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Force Participation Rate - Women from Jan 1948 to Jul 2025 about females, participation, 16 years +, labor force, labor, household survey, rate, and USA.

The female labor force participation rate in India increased by *** percentage points (*************) in 2024. While the growth is slowing down, with 32.8 percent, the rate is at its peak in the observed period. Female labor force participation is the share of women over 15 years who are economically active. For example, all women providing labor in a specific period for the production of goods and services.

In 2024, women constituted ** percent of executives worldwide. Female employees made up a far higher share of the workforce compared to CEOs, with ** percent compared to only ***** percent, respectively.

As of 2018, the percentage of women in highly influential global health leadership roles was much lower than the percentage in roles of lower influence. For example, women accounted for only 3.5 percent of Fortune 500 health care CEOs, but 90 percent of the long-term care workforce. This statistic shows the percentage of women compared to men working in global health worldwide as of 2018, by position. Roles have been ranked by influence.

Graph and download economic data for Women Employees-To-All Employees Ratio: Education and Health Services (CES6500000039) from Jan 1964 to Jul 2025 about ratio, health, females, establishment survey, education, services, employment, and USA.

United States Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Age 30 to 34 data was reported at 74.700 % in Jun 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 74.700 % for May 2018. United States Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Age 30 to 34 data is updated monthly, averaging 73.400 % from Jun 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 505 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.100 % in Nov 1999 and a record low of 52.800 % in Jun 1976. United States Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Age 30 to 34 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G008: Current Population Survey: Labour Force.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Indonesia was reported at 39.36 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Indonesia - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in France was reported at 48.51 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. France - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Brazil: Female labor force participation rate: The latest value from 2024 is 53.03 percent, a decline from 53.21 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 51.13 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Brazil from 1990 to 2024 is 52.22 percent. The minimum value, 44.42 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 56.86 percent was recorded in 2005.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Germany was reported at 46.55 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Germany - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

India: Female labor force participation rate: The latest value from 2024 is 32.8 percent, an increase from 31.24 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 51.13 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for India from 1990 to 2024 is 30.43 percent. The minimum value, 26 percent, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 34.85 percent was recorded in 2005.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Nigeria was reported at 48.4 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Switzerland was reported at 46.82 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Switzerland - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

The average for 2024 based on 176 countries was 51.13 percent. The highest value was in Madagascar: 82.56 percent and the lowest value was in Yemen: 4.91 percent. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

United States Employment: Female: Age 35 to 44 data was reported at 14,871.000 Person th in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14,885.000 Person th for May 2018. United States Employment: Female: Age 35 to 44 data is updated monthly, averaging 9,295.500 Person th from Jan 1948 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 846 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17,141.000 Person th in Oct 1999 and a record low of 3,531.000 Person th in Jan 1948. United States Employment: Female: Age 35 to 44 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G013: Current Population Survey: Employment.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Ghana was reported at 49.22 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

This graph shows the unadjusted female labor force participation rate in the United States from 1990 to 2023. In 2023, about 57.3 percent of the female labor force participated in the job market.

Philippines Employment: Female data was reported at 20,528.000 Person th in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 19,990.000 Person th for Jan 2025. Philippines Employment: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 19,655.000 Person th from Jan 2021 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 50 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21,271.000 Person th in Nov 2022 and a record low of 15,925.000 Person th in Jan 2021. Philippines Employment: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Philippine Statistics Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Philippines – Table PH.G023: Labour Force Survey: Employment.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Force Participation Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Women (LNU01300026) from Jan 1948 to Jul 2025 about 20 years +, females, participation, civilian, labor force, labor, household survey, rate, and USA.