North America - Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate)

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in North America was 56.57 as of 2021. Its highest value over the past 61 years was 59.92 in 1999, while its lowest value was 37.39 in 1961.

Definition: Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in December 2019.

See also:

Year Value
1960 37.70
1961 37.39
1962 37.90
1963 38.30
1964 38.70
1965 39.30
1966 40.30
1967 41.10
1968 41.60
1969 42.70
1970 43.30
1971 43.08
1972 43.90
1973 44.70
1974 45.70
1975 46.30
1976 47.15
1977 48.22
1978 49.80
1979 50.76
1980 51.41
1981 52.09
1982 52.55
1983 52.91
1984 53.62
1985 54.54
1986 55.34
1987 56.04
1988 56.68
1989 57.47
1990 57.60
1991 57.50
1992 57.80
1993 57.88
1994 58.73
1995 58.89
1996 59.15
1997 59.69
1998 59.70
1999 59.92
2000 59.89
2001 59.79
2002 59.75
2003 59.75
2004 59.45
2005 59.50
2006 59.62
2007 59.64
2008 59.78
2009 59.52
2010 59.01
2011 58.52
2012 58.14
2013 57.72
2014 57.44
2015 57.15
2016 57.26
2017 57.50
2018 57.52
2019 57.85
2020 56.55
2021 56.57

Development Relevance: Estimates of women in the labor force and employment are generally lower than those of men and are not comparable internationally, reflecting that demographic, social, legal, and cultural trends and norms determine whether women's activities are regarded as economic. In many low-income countries women often work on farms or in other family enterprises without pay, and others work in or near their homes, mixing work and family activities during the day. In many high-income economies, women have been increasingly acquiring higher education that has led to better-compensated, longer-term careers rather than lower-skilled, shorter-term jobs. However, access to good- paying occupations for women remains unequal in many occupations and countries around the world. Labor force statistics by gender is important to monitor gender disparities in employment and unemployment patterns.

Limitations and Exceptions: Data on the labor force are compiled by the ILO from labor force surveys, censuses, and establishment censuses and surveys. For some countries a combination of these sources is used. Labor force surveys are the most comprehensive source for internationally comparable labor force data. They can cover all non-institutionalized civilians, all branches and sectors of the economy, and all categories of workers, including people holding multiple jobs. By contrast, labor force data from population censuses are often based on a limited number of questions on the economic characteristics of individuals, with little scope to probe. The resulting data often differ from labor force survey data and vary considerably by country, depending on the census scope and coverage. Establishment censuses and surveys provide data only on the employed population, not unemployed workers, workers in small establishments, or workers in the informal sector. The reference period of a census or survey is another important source of differences: in some countries data refer to people's status on the day of the census or survey or during a specific period before the inquiry date, while in others data are recorded without reference to any period. In countries, where the household is the basic unit of production and all members contribute to output, but some at low intensity or irregularly, the estimated labor force may be much smaller than the numbers actually working. Differing definitions of employment age also affect comparability. For most countries the working age is 15 and older, but in some countries children younger than 15 work full- or part-time and are included in the estimates. Similarly, some countries have an upper age limit. As a result, calculations may systematically over- or underestimate actual rates.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: The labor force is the supply of labor available for producing goods and services in an economy. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.

Aggregation method: Weighted average

Periodicity: Annual

General Comments: The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Classification

Topic: Labor & Social Protection Indicators

Sub-Topic: Labor force structure