Share of male vs. female employment in industry in China
China: Share of male vs. female employment in industry was 37.7% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of male vs. female employment in industry in China, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of male vs. female employment in industry in China is 37.7%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
The figure is up 0.9% on the previous year and up 14.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of male vs. female employment in industry in China peaked at 37.7% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 18.8%, in 1991.
That places China 16th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.
Share of male vs. female employment in industry in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 18.8% | — |
| 1992 | 19.3% | +2.8% |
| 1993 | 20.1% | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 20.6% | +2.4% |
| 1995 | 21.1% | +2.4% |
| 1996 | 21.8% | +3.3% |
| 1997 | 22.3% | +2.2% |
| 1998 | 22.4% | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 22.3% | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 24.1% | +7.9% |
| 2001 | 22.3% | -7.4% |
| 2002 | 21.8% | -2.3% |
| 2003 | 22.3% | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 23.3% | +4.8% |
| 2005 | 24.9% | +6.5% |
| 2006 | 26.5% | +6.5% |
| 2007 | 28.3% | +6.9% |
| 2008 | 29.0% | +2.5% |
| 2009 | 29.9% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | 31.1% | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 32.1% | +3.4% |
| 2012 | 33.1% | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 33.2% | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 33.3% | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 33.0% | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 33.5% | +1.7% |
| 2017 | 34.1% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 34.7% | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 35.3% | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 35.8% | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 36.7% | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 36.3% | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 37.0% | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 37.4% | +1.1% |
| 2025 | 37.7% | +0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21.0% | 18.8% | 22.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 25.2% | 21.8% | 29.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.3% | 31.1% | 35.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.8% | 35.8% | 37.7% | 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 share of male vs. female employment in industry in China?
- Share of male vs. female employment in industry in China was 37.7% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of male vs. female employment in industry recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 37.7% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of male vs. female employment in industry recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.8% in 1991.
- How does China rank for share of male vs. female employment in industry?
- China ranks 16th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of male vs. female employment in industry rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of male vs. female employment in industry. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of total employment working in the industry sector.