Female labor force participation rate in Sweden
Sweden: Female labor force participation rate was 61.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
61.5%
Change on year
down 0.2%
World rank
43rd
of 186 countries
All-time high
62.8%
in 1990
All-time low
57.4%
in 1998
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Female labor force participation rate in Sweden, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, female labor force participation rate in Sweden stood at 61.5%.
The figure is down 0.2% on the previous year and up 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate in Sweden peaked at 62.8% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 57.4%, in 1998.
Sweden ranks 43rd of 186 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Female labor force participation rate in Sweden, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 62.8% | — |
| 1991 | 62.1% | -1.1% |
| 1992 | 60.8% | -2.2% |
| 1993 | 59.4% | -2.3% |
| 1994 | 58.5% | -1.4% |
| 1995 | 59.0% | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 59.1% | +0.1% |
| 1997 | 58.6% | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 57.4% | -2.1% |
| 1999 | 58.4% | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 58.1% | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 58.6% | +0.8% |
| 2002 | 58.7% | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 58.8% | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 58.5% | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 59.1% | +1.1% |
| 2006 | 59.2% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 59.7% | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 59.8% | +0.2% |
| 2009 | 59.4% | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 59.0% | -0.7% |
| 2011 | 59.5% | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 59.7% | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 60.1% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 60.3% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 60.6% | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 60.7% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 61.0% | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 61.3% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 61.3% | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 60.6% | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 60.7% | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 61.0% | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 61.7% | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 61.7% | -0.0% |
| 2025 | 61.5% | -0.2% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 61.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 55.1%, 1.1× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 61.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 54.6%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 59.6% | 57.4% | 62.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 59.0% | 58.1% | 59.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 60.3% | 59.0% | 61.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 61.2% | 60.6% | 61.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
More work & labour data for Sweden
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0422 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0602 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0243 % 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 0.5427 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 10,837 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 788.88 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 5,587 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,780 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 11,367 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate in Sweden?
- Female labor force participation rate in Sweden was 61.5% 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 Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 62.8% in 1990.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 57.4% in 1998.
- How does Sweden rank for female labor force participation rate?
- Sweden ranks 43rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sweden 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).