Labor force participation rate in France
France: Labor force participation rate was 55.3% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
55.3%
Change on year
down 0.6%
World rank
137th
of 186 countries
All-time high
56.3%
in 2009
All-time low
54.3%
in 2020
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Labor force participation rate in France, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate in France is 55.3%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.6% on the previous year and down 0.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in France peaked at 56.3% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 54.3%, in 2020.
France ranks 137th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Labor force participation rate in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 55.6% | — |
| 1991 | 55.0% | -1.0% |
| 1992 | 55.2% | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 55.2% | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 55.1% | -0.2% |
| 1995 | 55.1% | -0.0% |
| 1996 | 55.4% | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 55.0% | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 55.0% | +0.1% |
| 1999 | 55.4% | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 55.3% | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 55.1% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 55.4% | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 56.0% | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 55.9% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 56.0% | +0.2% |
| 2006 | 55.9% | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 56.1% | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 56.1% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 56.3% | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 56.2% | -0.2% |
| 2011 | 56.0% | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 56.2% | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 56.3% | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 55.8% | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 55.6% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 55.4% | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 55.3% | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 55.3% | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 54.9% | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 54.3% | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 55.6% | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 55.8% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 55.9% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 55.7% | -0.5% |
| 2025 | 55.3% | -0.6% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 55.3% is below the median for high income countries, which is 62.3%, 89% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- France's 55.3% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 60.2%, 92% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 55.2% | 55.0% | 55.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 55.8% | 55.1% | 56.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 55.7% | 54.9% | 56.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 55.4% | 54.3% | 55.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near France
More work & labour data for France
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.028 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0063 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.62 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.3323 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 62,374 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 8,235 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 35,191 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 33,294 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 68,485 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in France?
- Labor force participation rate in France was 55.3% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 56.3% in 2009.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 54.3% in 2020.
- How does France rank for labor force participation rate?
- France ranks 137th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).