Labor force participation rate in Japan
Japan: Labor force participation rate was 63.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate in Japan, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, labor force participation rate in Japan stood at 63.4%.
The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 6.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Japan peaked at 64.0% in 1992 and was at its lowest, 59.0%, in 2012.
That places Japan 80th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 63.5% | 62.8% | 64.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 60.8% | 59.9% | 62.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 60.0% | 59.0% | 62.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 62.7% | 61.9% | 63.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More work & labour data for Japan
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 0 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 0 (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+) 63.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 71.5% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 78.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 55.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 82.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 87.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 77.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Japan?
- Labor force participation rate in Japan was 63.4% 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 Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 64.0% in 1992.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 59.0% in 2012.
- How does Japan rank for labor force participation rate?
- Japan ranks 80th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Japan 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).