Female labor force participation rate in United States
United States: Female labor force participation rate was 57.3% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in United States, 1960–2025
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 United States is 57.3%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.4% on the previous year and up 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in United States peaked at 60.0% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 37.7%, in 1960.
United States ranks 78th of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 66 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 39.6% | 37.7% | 42.7% | 10 |
| 1970s | 46.4% | 43.3% | 50.9% | 10 |
| 1980s | 54.2% | 51.5% | 57.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 58.8% | 57.4% | 60.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 59.5% | 59.2% | 59.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 57.4% | 56.7% | 58.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.9% | 56.1% | 57.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More work & labour data for United States
- 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+) 61.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 67.1% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 84.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 56.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 73.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 78.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 69.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in United States?
- Female labor force participation rate in United States was 57.3% 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 60.0% in 1999.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.7% in 1960.
- How does United States rank for female labor force participation rate?
- United States ranks 78th out of 194 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States 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.