Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Sweden
Sweden: Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) was 85.3% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
85.3%
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
21st
of 187 countries
All-time high
86.4%
in 1990
All-time low
79.2%
in 2000
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Sweden, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Sweden is 85.3%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.1% on the previous year and up 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Sweden peaked at 86.4% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 79.2%, in 2000.
That places Sweden 21st out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Sweden, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 86.4% | — |
| 1991 | 85.4% | -1.2% |
| 1992 | 83.5% | -2.1% |
| 1993 | 81.7% | -2.2% |
| 1994 | 80.8% | -1.0% |
| 1995 | 81.5% | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 80.8% | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 80.6% | -0.2% |
| 1998 | 80.5% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 80.4% | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 79.2% | -1.6% |
| 2001 | 80.2% | +1.3% |
| 2002 | 79.8% | -0.6% |
| 2003 | 79.8% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 79.8% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 80.9% | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 81.1% | +0.3% |
| 2007 | 81.4% | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 81.7% | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 81.4% | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 81.9% | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 82.4% | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 82.6% | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 83.4% | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 83.6% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 83.5% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 83.9% | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 84.3% | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 84.4% | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 84.6% | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 84.6% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 84.6% | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 85.4% | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 85.7% | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 85.4% | -0.3% |
| 2025 | 85.3% | -0.1% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 85.3% is above the median for high income countries, which is 80.2%, 1.1× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 85.3% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 79.6%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 82.2% | 80.4% | 86.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 80.5% | 79.2% | 81.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 83.5% | 81.9% | 84.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 85.2% | 84.6% | 85.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
- 18 New Zealand 85.9% compare
- 19 Eritrea 85.8% compare
- 20 Uganda 85.6% compare
- 22 Macau, China 85.3% compare
- 23 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 84.9% compare
- 24 Paraguay 84.7% compare
More work & labour data for Sweden
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0422 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0602 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.29 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.5427 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 10,837 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 788.88 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 5,587 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,780 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 11,367 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Sweden?
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) in Sweden was 85.3% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) recorded in Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 86.4% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 79.2% in 2000.
- How does Sweden rank for labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64)?
- Sweden ranks 21st out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sweden data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.