Female share of the labor force in United States
United States: Female share of the labor force was 45.6% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Female share of the labor force in United States, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female share of the labor force in United States is 45.6%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is up 1.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female share of the labor force in United States peaked at 45.6% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 44.1%, in 1990.
That places United States 92nd out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Female share of the labor force in United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 44.1% | — |
| 1991 | 44.2% | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 44.3% | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 44.4% | +0.2% |
| 1994 | 44.8% | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 44.9% | +0.1% |
| 1996 | 44.9% | +0.1% |
| 1997 | 45.1% | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 45.1% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 45.1% | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 45.1% | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 45.1% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 45.1% | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 45.2% | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 45.1% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 45.1% | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 45.1% | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 45.2% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 45.3% | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 45.5% | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 45.5% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 45.5% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 45.3% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 45.2% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 45.2% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 45.1% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 45.0% | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 45.1% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 45.1% | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 45.2% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 45.2% | -0.0% |
| 2021 | 45.2% | -0.0% |
| 2022 | 45.3% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 45.6% | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 45.6% | +0.1% |
| 2025 | 45.6% | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 44.7% | 44.1% | 45.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 45.2% | 45.1% | 45.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 45.2% | 45.0% | 45.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 45.4% | 45.2% | 45.6% | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More work & labour data for United States
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 113,208 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 61.24 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 178,849 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 58.55 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 1.27 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 0.3372 % change on previous year (2027)
- 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+) 61.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female share of the labor force in United States?
- Female share of the labor force in United States was 45.6% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female share of the labor force recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 45.6% in 2025.
- What is the lowest female share of the labor force recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 44.1% in 1990.
- How does United States rank for female share of the labor force?
- United States ranks 92nd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female share of the labor force rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female share of the labor force. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of the working-age population economically active (employed or unemployed) who are female.