Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Canada
Canada: Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 160.31 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Canada, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Canada recorded 160.31 for potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 25.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Canada peaked at 434.37 in 1993 and was at its lowest, 117.48, in 2007.
That places Canada 36th out of 88 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Canada, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 340.5 | — |
| 1991 | 387.62 | +13.8% |
| 1992 | 429.2 | +10.7% |
| 1993 | 434.37 | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 394.94 | -9.1% |
| 1995 | 348.62 | -11.7% |
| 1996 | 307.33 | -11.8% |
| 1997 | 190.97 | -37.9% |
| 1998 | 157.34 | -17.6% |
| 1999 | 144.72 | -8.0% |
| 2000 | 127.18 | -12.1% |
| 2001 | 128.46 | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 153.2 | +19.3% |
| 2003 | 139.89 | -8.7% |
| 2004 | 133.91 | -4.3% |
| 2005 | 133.99 | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 128.38 | -4.2% |
| 2007 | 117.48 | -8.5% |
| 2008 | 125.66 | +7.0% |
| 2009 | 151.63 | +20.7% |
| 2010 | 149.68 | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 139.43 | -6.9% |
| 2012 | 139.53 | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 133.43 | -4.4% |
| 2014 | 131.64 | -1.3% |
| 2015 | 127.95 | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 134.32 | +5.0% |
| 2017 | 118.31 | -11.9% |
| 2018 | 118.64 | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 122.27 | +3.1% |
| 2020 | 196.56 | +60.8% |
| 2021 | 151.1 | -23.1% |
| 2022 | 120.14 | -20.5% |
| 2023 | 125.01 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 157.68 | +26.1% |
| 2025 | 160.31 | +1.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 313.56 | 144.72 | 434.37 | 10 |
| 2000s | 133.98 | 117.48 | 153.2 | 10 |
| 2010s | 131.52 | 118.31 | 149.68 | 10 |
| 2020s | 151.8 | 120.14 | 196.56 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More work & labour data for Canada
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.3281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.3334 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.3231 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.29 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.6552 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 39,234 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 5,715 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 26,798 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 26,814 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 53,612 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Canada?
- Potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Canada was 160.31 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 434.37 in 1993.
- What is the lowest potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 117.48 in 2007.
- How does Canada rank for potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- Canada ranks 36th out of 88 countries with data for 2025.
- Is potential labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Potential labour force (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 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. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.