Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in France
France: Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 56.96 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in France, 1962–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in France is 56.96, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in France peaked at 57.46 in 1983 and was at its lowest, 53.51, in 1975.
That places France 145th out of 210 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in France, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 55.09 | — |
| 1968 | 53.87 | -2.2% |
| 1975 | 53.51 | -0.7% |
| 1979 | 54.73 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 54.89 | +0.3% |
| 1981 | 54.77 | -0.2% |
| 1982 | 54.78 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 57.46 | +4.9% |
| 1984 | 57.31 | -0.3% |
| 1985 | 57.15 | -0.3% |
| 1986 | 57.34 | +0.3% |
| 1987 | 56.84 | -0.9% |
| 1988 | 56.31 | -0.9% |
| 1989 | 56.17 | -0.2% |
| 1990 | 55.85 | -0.6% |
| 1991 | 55.41 | -0.8% |
| 1992 | 55.56 | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 55.55 | -0.0% |
| 1994 | 55.48 | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 55.44 | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 55.77 | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 55.45 | -0.6% |
| 1998 | 55.46 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 55.75 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 55.7 | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 55.5 | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 55.71 | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 56.41 | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 56.25 | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 55.95 | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 55.88 | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 55.98 | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 56.07 | +0.2% |
| 2009 | 56.33 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 56.25 | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 56.03 | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 56.26 | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 56.43 | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 56.1 | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 56.06 | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 55.93 | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 55.64 | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 55.62 | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 55.27 | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 54.53 | -1.3% |
| 2021 | 55.94 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 56.22 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 56.32 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 56.56 | +0.4% |
| 2025 | 56.96 | +0.7% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 56.96 is below the median for high income countries, which is 63.11, 90% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- France's 56.96 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 61.7, 92% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 54.48 | 53.87 | 55.09 | 2 |
| 1970s | 54.12 | 53.51 | 54.73 | 2 |
| 1980s | 56.3 | 54.77 | 57.46 | 10 |
| 1990s | 55.57 | 55.41 | 55.85 | 10 |
| 2000s | 55.98 | 55.5 | 56.41 | 10 |
| 2010s | 55.96 | 55.27 | 56.43 | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.09 | 54.53 | 56.96 | 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 labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in France?
- Labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in France was 56.96 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 57.46 in 1983.
- What is the lowest labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 53.51 in 1975.
- How does France rank for labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- France ranks 145th out of 210 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The labour force participation rate is the labour force as a percent of the working-age population. The labour force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed. For more information, refer to the Labour Force Statistics (LFS and STLFS) database description.