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

0102030401990200720241990: 44.7 %1991: 40 %1992: 39.6 %1993: 38.1 %1994: 36.5 %1995: 35.6 %1996: 35.1 %1997: 34 %1998: 34 %1999: 35.9 %2000: 35.5 %2001: 35.8 %2002: 36.9 %2003: 37.2 %2004: 36.7 %2005: 34.1 %2006: 34.2 %2007: 34.6 %2008: 34.7 %2009: 35.6 %2010: 35 %2011: 34 %2012: 33.4 %2013: 35.3 %2014: 34.4 %2015: 34.9 %2016: 34.9 %2017: 35 %2018: 35.7 %2019: 34.9 %2020: 33.9 %2021: 38 %2022: 40.3 %2023: 40.7 %2024: 42.5 %

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 78 Azerbaijan 43.2% compare
  2. 79 Democratic Republic of Congo 43.1% compare
  3. 80 El Salvador 42.7% compare
  4. 82 Bahrain 42.2% compare
  5. 83 Botswana 42.1% compare
  6. 84 Vietnam 41.0% compare

See the full ranking of 195 places →

More work & labour data for France

All data for France →

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

Indicator
Labor force participation rate by age
Unit
%
Source
International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
195 places, 6,816 data points, 1990–2024
Last refreshed

Share of the working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).