Labor force participation rate by age in Canada
Canada: Labor force participation rate by age was 63.0% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
63.0%
Change on year
down 3.0%
World rank
18th
of 188 countries
All-time high
69.9%
in 1990
All-time low
61.5%
in 1997
Years of data
35
1990–2024
Labor force participation rate by age in Canada, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate by age in Canada is 63.0%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.0% on the previous year and down 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Canada peaked at 69.9% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 61.5%, in 1997.
Canada ranks 18th of 188 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Labor force participation rate by age in Canada, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 69.9% | — |
| 1991 | 68.1% | -2.6% |
| 1992 | 66.2% | -2.9% |
| 1993 | 64.4% | -2.6% |
| 1994 | 63.9% | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 63.2% | -1.2% |
| 1996 | 62.2% | -1.5% |
| 1997 | 61.5% | -1.2% |
| 1998 | 61.8% | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 63.5% | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 64.4% | +1.5% |
| 2001 | 64.7% | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 66.5% | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 67.3% | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 66.8% | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 65.9% | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 67.1% | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 68.0% | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 68.3% | +0.4% |
| 2009 | 66.4% | -2.7% |
| 2010 | 65.6% | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 65.6% | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 65.0% | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 65.3% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 65.4% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 65.5% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 64.8% | -1.1% |
| 2017 | 65.3% | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 64.8% | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 65.8% | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 62.2% | -5.4% |
| 2021 | 64.2% | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 65.3% | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 65.0% | -0.5% |
| 2024 | 63.0% | -3.0% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 63.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 40.6%, 1.6× the median. (62 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 64.5% | 61.5% | 69.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 66.5% | 64.4% | 68.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 65.3% | 64.8% | 65.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 63.9% | 62.2% | 65.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 15 New Zealand 65.7% compare
- 16 Mozambique 65.0% compare
- 17 Nigeria 64.8% compare
- 19 South Sudan 62.7% compare
- 20 Bolivia 60.6% compare
- 21 Saint Lucia 60.6% 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 labor force participation rate by age in Canada?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Canada was 63.0% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 69.9% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 61.5% in 1997.
- How does Canada rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Canada ranks 18th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- 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 Labor force participation rate by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).