Share of male vs. female employment in services in China
China: Share of male vs. female employment in services was 38.1% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of male vs. female employment in services 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 services in China is 38.1%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
The figure is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 7.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of male vs. female employment in services in China peaked at 38.1% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 17.2%, in 1991.
China ranks 154th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.
Share of male vs. female employment in services in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 17.2% | — |
| 1992 | 17.9% | +4.4% |
| 1993 | 19.1% | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 20.5% | +7.6% |
| 1995 | 22.0% | +6.9% |
| 1996 | 22.9% | +4.3% |
| 1997 | 23.2% | +1.5% |
| 1998 | 23.5% | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 23.7% | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 22.3% | -5.8% |
| 2001 | 24.4% | +9.3% |
| 2002 | 25.2% | +3.2% |
| 2003 | 25.7% | +2.1% |
| 2004 | 26.6% | +3.5% |
| 2005 | 27.2% | +2.1% |
| 2006 | 27.8% | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 27.8% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 28.3% | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 29.0% | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 29.3% | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 30.1% | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 30.3% | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 32.2% | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 33.9% | +5.2% |
| 2015 | 35.4% | +4.4% |
| 2016 | 35.7% | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 36.0% | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 36.4% | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 36.8% | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 37.5% | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 37.6% | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 37.1% | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 37.7% | +1.5% |
| 2024 | 37.9% | +0.6% |
| 2025 | 38.1% | +0.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21.1% | 17.2% | 23.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 26.4% | 22.3% | 29.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.6% | 29.3% | 36.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 37.6% | 37.1% | 38.1% | 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 services in China?
- Share of male vs. female employment in services in China was 38.1% 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 services recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 38.1% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of male vs. female employment in services recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.2% in 1991.
- How does China rank for share of male vs. female employment in services?
- China ranks 154th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of male vs. female employment in services rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.9%. 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 services. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of total employment working in the services sector.