Female labor force by age in Canada
Canada: Female labor force by age was 481,657 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Female labor force by age in Canada, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Canada recorded 481,657 people for female labor force by age in 2024. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
The figure is up 5.2% on the previous year and up 72.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force by age in Canada peaked at 481,657 people in 2024 and was at its lowest, 63,554 people, in 1991.
Canada ranks 22nd of 188 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 69,795 people | 63,554 people | 76,495 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 115,496 people | 73,432 people | 170,213 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 288,693 people | 193,474 people | 390,913 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 426,342 people | 368,544 people | 481,657 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 19 North Korea 623,735 people compare
- 20 Bangladesh 596,871 people compare
- 21 Peru 593,484 people compare
- 23 Kenya 462,948 people compare
- 24 Mozambique 437,000 people compare
- 25 Colombia 404,725 people compare
More work & labour data for Canada
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 64.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 68.9% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 87.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 60.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 80.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 83.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 76.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force by age in Canada?
- Female labor force by age in Canada was 481,657 people in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force by age recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 481,657 people in 2024.
- What is the lowest female labor force by age recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 63,554 people in 1991.
- How does Canada rank for female labor force by age?
- Canada ranks 22nd out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force by age rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 72.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Working-age population who are economically active (employed or unemployed).