Female labor force participation rate in Canada
Canada: Female labor force participation rate was 60.2% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Female labor force participation rate in Canada, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force participation rate in Canada is 60.2%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% on the previous year and down 1.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Canada peaked at 61.9% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 56.8%, in 1996.
That places Canada 50th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 36 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 57.3% | 56.8% | 58.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 60.8% | 58.7% | 61.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 61.3% | 60.9% | 61.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 60.5% | 59.4% | 61.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 47 Denmark 60.8% compare
- 48 Azerbaijan 60.8% compare
- 49 Guinea-Bissau 60.3% compare
- 51 Ireland 59.8% compare
- 52 Cote d'Ivoire 59.5% compare
- 53 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 59.2% compare
More work & labour data for Canada
- 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)
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 80.0% (2025)
- 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, 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 participation rate in Canada?
- Female labor force participation rate in Canada was 60.2% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force participation rate recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 61.9% in 2008.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 56.8% in 1996.
- How does Canada rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Canada ranks 50th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, 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 (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).