Labor force participation rate by age in France
France: Labor force participation rate by age was 42.5% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
42.5%
Change on year
up 4.5%
World rank
81st
of 188 countries
All-time high
44.7%
in 1990
All-time low
33.4%
in 2012
Years of data
35
1990–2024
Labor force participation rate by age in France, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
France recorded 42.5% for labor force participation rate by age in 2024.
The figure is up 4.5% on the previous year and up 23.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in France peaked at 44.7% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 33.4%, in 2012.
That places France 81st out of 188 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Labor force participation rate by age in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 44.7% | — |
| 1991 | 40.0% | -10.5% |
| 1992 | 39.6% | -1.0% |
| 1993 | 38.1% | -3.7% |
| 1994 | 36.5% | -4.3% |
| 1995 | 35.6% | -2.5% |
| 1996 | 35.1% | -1.4% |
| 1997 | 34.0% | -3.0% |
| 1998 | 34.0% | +0.1% |
| 1999 | 35.9% | +5.6% |
| 2000 | 35.5% | -1.1% |
| 2001 | 35.8% | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 36.9% | +3.1% |
| 2003 | 37.2% | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 36.7% | -1.2% |
| 2005 | 34.1% | -7.2% |
| 2006 | 34.2% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 34.6% | +1.5% |
| 2008 | 34.7% | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 35.6% | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 35.0% | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 34.0% | -3.0% |
| 2012 | 33.4% | -1.8% |
| 2013 | 35.3% | +5.8% |
| 2014 | 34.4% | -2.7% |
| 2015 | 34.9% | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 34.9% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 35.0% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 35.7% | +2.0% |
| 2019 | 34.9% | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 33.9% | -2.9% |
| 2021 | 38.0% | +12.2% |
| 2022 | 40.3% | +6.0% |
| 2023 | 40.7% | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 42.5% | +4.5% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 42.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 40.6%, 1.0× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- France's 42.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 37.1%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 37.3% | 34.0% | 44.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 35.5% | 34.1% | 37.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 34.8% | 33.4% | 35.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.1% | 33.9% | 42.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near France
- 78 Azerbaijan 43.2% compare
- 79 Democratic Republic of Congo 43.1% compare
- 80 El Salvador 42.7% compare
- 82 Bahrain 42.2% compare
- 83 Botswana 42.1% compare
- 84 Vietnam 41.0% compare
More work & labour data for France
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.028 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0063 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.62 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.3323 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 62,374 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 8,235 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 35,191 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 33,294 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 68,485 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate by age in France?
- Labor force participation rate by age in France was 42.5% 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 France?
- The highest recorded value was 44.7% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.4% in 2012.
- How does France rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- France ranks 81st out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this France 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).