Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)
Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries): Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) was 59.3% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries), 1998–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) is 59.3%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.7% on the previous year and down 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) peaked at 62.6% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 57.2%, in 2005.
Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 18th of 33 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries), year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 60.6% | — |
| 2000 | 60.7% | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 57.2% | -5.7% |
| 2002 | 58.9% | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 58.1% | -1.4% |
| 2004 | 58.0% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 57.2% | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 57.4% | +0.4% |
| 2007 | 59.6% | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 60.4% | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 60.8% | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 61.3% | +0.9% |
| 2011 | 61.3% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 61.4% | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 61.9% | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 61.6% | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 62.6% | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 61.9% | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 60.5% | -2.2% |
| 2018 | 60.4% | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 59.5% | -1.5% |
| 2020 | 57.7% | -2.9% |
| 2021 | 57.9% | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 59.3% | +2.3% |
| 2023 | 58.9% | -0.6% |
| 2024 | 59.3% | +0.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 60.6% | 60.6% | 60.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 58.8% | 57.2% | 60.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 61.2% | 59.5% | 62.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 58.6% | 57.7% | 59.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)
More work & labour data for Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 48.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 68.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 58.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 29.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 41.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 35.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 78.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 69.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 60.3% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 71.6% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) was 59.3% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The highest recorded value was 62.6% in 2015.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) recorded in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The lowest recorded value was 57.2% in 2005.
- How does Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+)?
- Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 18th out of 33 groups with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) rising or falling in Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national 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 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.