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.
Female labor force by age in Canada, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 65,426 people | — |
| 1991 | 63,554 people | -2.9% |
| 1992 | 65,851 people | +3.6% |
| 1993 | 69,177 people | +5.1% |
| 1994 | 68,498 people | -1.0% |
| 1995 | 68,312 people | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 70,256 people | +2.8% |
| 1997 | 76,495 people | +8.9% |
| 1998 | 76,127 people | -0.5% |
| 1999 | 74,257 people | -2.5% |
| 2000 | 73,432 people | -1.1% |
| 2001 | 77,303 people | +5.3% |
| 2002 | 86,946 people | +12.5% |
| 2003 | 99,326 people | +14.2% |
| 2004 | 105,578 people | +6.3% |
| 2005 | 119,379 people | +13.1% |
| 2006 | 124,021 people | +3.9% |
| 2007 | 133,551 people | +7.7% |
| 2008 | 165,209 people | +23.7% |
| 2009 | 170,213 people | +3.0% |
| 2010 | 193,474 people | +13.7% |
| 2011 | 213,437 people | +10.3% |
| 2012 | 240,961 people | +12.9% |
| 2013 | 261,568 people | +8.6% |
| 2014 | 278,870 people | +6.6% |
| 2015 | 295,364 people | +5.9% |
| 2016 | 319,222 people | +8.1% |
| 2017 | 337,696 people | +5.8% |
| 2018 | 355,427 people | +5.3% |
| 2019 | 390,913 people | +10.0% |
| 2020 | 368,544 people | -5.7% |
| 2021 | 388,664 people | +5.5% |
| 2022 | 435,161 people | +12.0% |
| 2023 | 457,686 people | +5.2% |
| 2024 | 481,657 people | +5.2% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 481,657 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 39,049 people, 12.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
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
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.3281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.3334 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.3231 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.29 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.6552 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 39,234 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 5,715 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 26,798 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 26,814 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 53,612 1000 No (2100)
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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About this data
Working-age population who are economically active (employed or unemployed).