Labor force participation rate by age in Switzerland
Switzerland: Labor force participation rate by age was 65.7% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
65.7%
Change on year
down 1.6%
World rank
14th
of 188 countries
All-time high
69.4%
in 2003
All-time low
63.8%
in 1995
Years of data
35
1990–2024
Labor force participation rate by age in Switzerland, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 65.7% for labor force participation rate by age in 2024.
The figure is down 1.6% on the previous year and down 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Switzerland peaked at 69.4% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 63.8%, in 1995.
Switzerland ranks 14th of 188 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Labor force participation rate by age in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 68.7% | — |
| 1991 | 68.6% | -0.1% |
| 1992 | 68.6% | -0.1% |
| 1993 | 69.3% | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 65.1% | -6.1% |
| 1995 | 63.8% | -1.9% |
| 1996 | 66.4% | +4.1% |
| 1997 | 67.0% | +0.8% |
| 1998 | 67.2% | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 68.6% | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 68.3% | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 67.8% | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 69.3% | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 69.4% | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 67.1% | -3.3% |
| 2005 | 65.7% | -2.1% |
| 2006 | 68.6% | +4.5% |
| 2007 | 67.4% | -1.8% |
| 2008 | 67.1% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 67.3% | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 68.1% | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 68.6% | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 67.6% | -1.4% |
| 2013 | 68.0% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 67.9% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 67.5% | -0.6% |
| 2016 | 68.4% | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 68.7% | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 68.0% | -1.0% |
| 2019 | 66.5% | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 65.0% | -2.2% |
| 2021 | 66.0% | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 66.2% | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 66.8% | +0.9% |
| 2024 | 65.7% | -1.6% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 65.7% is above the median for high income countries, which is 40.6%, 1.6× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 65.7% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 37.1%, 1.8× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 67.3% | 63.8% | 69.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 67.8% | 65.7% | 69.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 67.9% | 66.5% | 68.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 65.9% | 65.0% | 66.8% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More work & labour data for Switzerland
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0651 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0485 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0817 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.4 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.6452 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 8,038 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,842 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 4,568 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 4,558 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 9,126 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate by age in Switzerland?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Switzerland was 65.7% 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 69.4% in 2003.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 63.8% in 1995.
- How does Switzerland rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Switzerland ranks 14th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Switzerland 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).