Labor force participation rate in France
France: Labor force participation rate was 55.3% in 2025. ▬ Flat
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.
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
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 55.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 59.5% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 86.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 51.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 74.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 76.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 71.1% (2025)
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).