Trade union density rate in United States
United States: Trade union density rate was 10.29 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Trade union density rate in United States, 2000–2020
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
United States recorded 10.29 for trade union density rate in 2020.
The figure is up 4.5% on the previous year and down 9.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, trade union density rate in United States peaked at 12.91 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 9.85, in 2019.
United States ranks 66th of 86 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 21 years of available data.
Trade union density rate in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12.91 | — |
| 2001 | 12.87 | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 12.77 | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 12.39 | -3.0% |
| 2004 | 12.02 | -3.0% |
| 2005 | 11.96 | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 11.48 | -4.0% |
| 2007 | 11.56 | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 11.91 | +3.0% |
| 2009 | 11.79 | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 11.38 | -3.5% |
| 2011 | 11.33 | -0.5% |
| 2012 | 10.81 | -4.5% |
| 2013 | 10.81 | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 10.65 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 10.62 | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 10.27 | -3.4% |
| 2017 | 10.31 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 10.1 | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 9.85 | -2.5% |
| 2020 | 10.29 | +4.5% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 10.29 is below the median for high income countries, which is 20.76, 50% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 12.17 | 11.48 | 12.91 | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.61 | 9.85 | 11.38 | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.29 | 10.29 | 10.29 | 1 |
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)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 4.4 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 1.05 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 159,991 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 141,322 (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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is trade union density rate in United States?
- Trade union density rate in United States was 10.29 in 2020, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest trade union density rate recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 12.91 in 2000.
- What is the lowest trade union density rate recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.85 in 2019.
- How does United States rank for trade union density rate?
- United States ranks 66th out of 86 countries with data for 2020.
- Is trade union density rate rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Trade union density rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
A trade union is defined as a workers' organization constituted for the purpose of furthering and defending the interests of workers. This trade union density rate conveys the number of union members who are employees as a percentage of the total number of employees. For the purpose of this indicator in particular, trade union membership excludes union members who are not in paid employment (self-employed, unemployed, retired, etc.), unless otherwise stated in the notes. The statistics presented in this table result from an ILO data compilation effort (including an annual questionnaire and numerous special enquiries), with contributions from J. Visser. For more information, refer to the Industrial Relations data (IRdata) database description.