Female labor force participation rate in France
France: Female labor force participation rate was 53.5% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in France, 1962–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force participation rate in France is 53.5%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 50 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in France peaked at 53.5% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 36.2%, in 1968.
France ranks 107th of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 50 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 36.4% | 36.2% | 36.5% | 2 |
| 1970s | 39.7% | 38.7% | 40.6% | 2 |
| 1980s | 45.0% | 41.0% | 47.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 47.9% | 46.7% | 48.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 50.1% | 48.9% | 51.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 51.5% | 51.3% | 51.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 52.4% | 50.6% | 53.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near France
More work & labour data for France
- 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+) 55.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 59.5% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 86.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 51.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 74.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 76.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 71.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in France?
- Female labor force participation rate in France was 53.5% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force participation rate recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 53.5% in 2025.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.2% in 1968.
- How does France rank for female labor force participation rate?
- France ranks 107th out of 194 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population who are economically active (employed or unemployed). Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.