Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in China
China: Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates was 84.7% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in China, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in China stood at 84.7%.
The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 2.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in China peaked at 85.9% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 81.5%, in 2010.
That places China 59th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 85.9% | — |
| 1991 | 85.7% | -0.2% |
| 1992 | 85.6% | -0.2% |
| 1993 | 85.4% | -0.2% |
| 1994 | 85.3% | -0.2% |
| 1995 | 85.2% | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 85.0% | -0.2% |
| 1997 | 84.9% | -0.2% |
| 1998 | 84.8% | -0.2% |
| 1999 | 84.6% | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 84.5% | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 84.2% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 84.0% | -0.3% |
| 2003 | 83.7% | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 83.4% | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 83.1% | -0.4% |
| 2006 | 82.8% | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 82.5% | -0.4% |
| 2008 | 82.2% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 81.9% | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 81.5% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 81.7% | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 81.9% | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 82.1% | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 82.3% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 82.5% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 82.8% | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 83.0% | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 83.3% | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 83.6% | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 83.4% | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 83.9% | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 84.2% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 84.4% | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 84.6% | +0.2% |
| 2025 | 84.7% | +0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 85.2% | 84.6% | 85.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 83.2% | 81.9% | 84.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 82.5% | 81.5% | 83.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 84.2% | 83.4% | 84.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More work & labour data for China
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -1.65 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -1.74 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -1.57 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.11 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.0615 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1.12 million 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 275,362 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 319,567 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 326,230 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 645,797 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in China?
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in China was 84.7% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest ratio of female to male labor force participation rates recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 85.9% in 1990.
- What is the lowest ratio of female to male labor force participation rates recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 81.5% in 2010.
- How does China rank for ratio of female to male labor force participation rates?
- China ranks 59th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is ratio of female to male labor force participation rates rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This ratio is calculated by dividing the labor force participation rate among women by the corresponding rate for men. The labor force participation rate is the share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).