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 (LNS11300002) from Jan 1948 to Jun 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 2023, about 75.54 million women were employed in the United States. This is an increase from the previous year, when 74.09 million women were employed, and just about a return to pre-pandemic levels.

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 July of 2025.

In 2023, there were estimated to be approximately *** billion people employed worldwide, compared to **** billion people in 1991 - an increase of over one billion people. Of these employed people in 2023, approximately *** billion were men, and *** billion were female.

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

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.

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.

The average for 2023 based on 178 countries was 51.07 percent. The highest value was in the Solomon Islands: 82.73 percent and the lowest value was in Afghanistan: 4.83 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

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 July of 2025.

In 2024, the employment rate for women in Japan stood at **** percent, up from about **** percent in the previous year. The male employment rate was **** 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 ** 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 ** percent of diet members in 2023.

Portugal Employment Rate: Female data was reported at 61.500 % in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 61.500 % for Feb 2025. Portugal Employment Rate: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 52.200 % from Feb 1998 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 326 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 61.600 % in Dec 2024 and a record low of 48.800 % in Mar 2013. Portugal Employment Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Portugal. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Portugal – Table PT.G011: Labour Force Survey: Employment Rate: by Age and Sex.

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 July of 2025.

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 July of 2025.

United Kingdom UK: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 46.528 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 46.515 % for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 45.614 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.528 % in 2017 and a record low of 43.192 % in 1990. United Kingdom UK: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Female labor force as a percentage of the total show the extent to which women are active in the labor force. Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database and World Bank population estimates. Labor data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

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 July of 2025.

Employment: NF: sa: WW: Service Providing data was reported at 69,402.000 Person th in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 69,265.000 Person th for May 2018. Employment: NF: sa: WW: Service Providing data is updated monthly, averaging 45,436.000 Person th from Jan 1964 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 654 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 69,402.000 Person th in Jun 2018 and a record low of 13,991.000 Person th in Jan 1964. Employment: NF: sa: WW: Service Providing 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.G029: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Employment: Women Worker: Non Farm: Seasonally Adjusted.

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

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Canada was reported at 47.35 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Canada - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.