Labor force participation rate by age in Canada
Canada: Labor force participation rate by age was 63.0% in 2024. ▬ Flat
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%.
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
- 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+) 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, total (% of total population ages 15-6 80.0% (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 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).