Potential labour force in World

World: Potential labour force was 145,084 in 2027. ▬ Flat

Latest (2027)
145,084
Change on year
up 1.2%
Rank
1st
of 87 groups
All-time high
167,508
in 2020
All-time low
136,991
in 2023
Years of data
24
2004–2027

Potential labour force in World, 2004–2027

050.0k100.0k150.0k2004201520272004: 145.4k2005: 145.8k2006: 144.0k2007: 141.6k2008: 142.5k2009: 146.4k2010: 146.6k2011: 145.4k2012: 145.7k2013: 144.1k2014: 144.0k2015: 144.9k2016: 146.4k2017: 145.7k2018: 144.8k2019: 141.2k2020: 167.5k2021: 152.7k2022: 142.8k2023: 137.0k2024: 138.7k2025: 141.7k2026: 143.4k2027: 145.1k

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for potential labour force in World is 145,084, measured in 2027.

The figure is up 1.2% on the previous year and down 0.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, potential labour force in World peaked at 167,508 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 136,991, in 2023.

World ranks 1st of 87 groups on this measure, in the top 10%.

Potential labour force in World, year by year

Annual values for Potential labour force (ILO modelled estimates) in World, 2004 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2004 145,442
2005 145,829 +0.3%
2006 143,997 -1.3%
2007 141,559 -1.7%
2008 142,506 +0.7%
2009 146,388 +2.7%
2010 146,627 +0.2%
2011 145,429 -0.8%
2012 145,687 +0.2%
2013 144,113 -1.1%
2014 144,023 -0.1%
2015 144,946 +0.6%
2016 146,441 +1.0%
2017 145,658 -0.5%
2018 144,751 -0.6%
2019 141,184 -2.5%
2020 167,508 +18.6%
2021 152,698 -8.8%
2022 142,750 -6.5%
2023 136,991 -4.0%
2024 138,734 +1.3%
2025 141,686 +2.1%
2026 143,418 +1.2%
2027 145,084 +1.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 144,287 141,559 146,388 6
2010s 144,886 141,184 146,627 10
2020s 146,109 136,991 167,508 8

More work & labour data for World

All data for World →

Frequently asked questions

What is potential labour force in World?
Potential labour force in World was 145,084 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest potential labour force recorded in World?
The highest recorded value was 167,508 in 2020.
What is the lowest potential labour force recorded in World?
The lowest recorded value was 136,991 in 2023.
How does World rank for potential labour force?
World ranks 1st out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is potential labour force rising or falling in World?
Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this World data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Potential labour force (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Potential labour force in World. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/potential-labour-force-ilo-modelled-estimates/world/

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About this data

Indicator
Potential labour force (ILO modelled estimates)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
87 places, 2,088 data points, 2004–2027
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. The potential labour force refers to persons not in employment who express an interest in this form of work but for whom existing conditions limit their active job search and/or their availability. This group is used to calculate alternative measures of labour underutilization. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.