Labor force participation rate in Canada
Canada: Labor force participation rate was 64.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate in Canada, 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 Canada is 64.5%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% on the previous year and down 2.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Canada peaked at 67.3% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 64.1%, in 2020.
Canada ranks 69th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 65.1% | 64.2% | 66.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 66.6% | 65.3% | 67.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 66.1% | 65.5% | 66.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 64.9% | 64.1% | 65.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More work & labour data for Canada
- 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+) 64.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 68.9% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 87.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 60.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 80.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 83.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 76.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Canada?
- Labor force participation rate in Canada was 64.5% 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 Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 67.3% in 2008.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 64.1% in 2020.
- How does Canada rank for labor force participation rate?
- Canada ranks 69th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Canada 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).