Labor force participation rate by age in Germany
Germany: Labor force participation rate by age was 54.5% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate by age in Germany, 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 Germany is 54.5%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 8.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Germany peaked at 60.7% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 47.5%, in 2004.
Germany ranks 32nd of 188 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate by age in Germany, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 60.7% | — |
| 1991 | 60.5% | -0.4% |
| 1992 | 58.3% | -3.6% |
| 1993 | 56.3% | -3.6% |
| 1994 | 54.9% | -2.4% |
| 1995 | 52.5% | -4.4% |
| 1996 | 50.4% | -3.9% |
| 1997 | 49.7% | -1.5% |
| 1998 | 50.0% | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 50.8% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 50.4% | -0.8% |
| 2001 | 50.4% | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 50.0% | -0.7% |
| 2003 | 49.5% | -1.1% |
| 2004 | 47.5% | -4.1% |
| 2005 | 49.7% | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 50.8% | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 51.4% | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 52.3% | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 51.9% | -0.6% |
| 2010 | 51.5% | -0.8% |
| 2011 | 51.7% | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 50.5% | -2.3% |
| 2013 | 51.0% | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 50.1% | -1.8% |
| 2015 | 48.9% | -2.3% |
| 2016 | 49.2% | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 50.0% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 50.3% | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 51.4% | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 50.9% | -0.9% |
| 2021 | 52.8% | +3.7% |
| 2022 | 53.5% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 54.1% | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 54.5% | +0.7% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 54.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 40.6%, 1.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Germany's 54.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 37.1%, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 54.4% | 49.7% | 60.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 50.4% | 47.5% | 52.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 50.5% | 48.9% | 51.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 53.2% | 50.9% | 54.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More work & labour data for Germany
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0549 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0322 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.95 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.0388 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 66,826 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 12,413 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 35,391 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 35,508 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 70,900 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate by age in Germany?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Germany was 54.5% 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 Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 60.7% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 47.5% in 2004.
- How does Germany rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Germany ranks 32nd out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Germany 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).