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

Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) (national estimate) in North America was 62.02 as of 2021. Its highest value over the past 61 years was 66.96 in 1997, while its lowest value was 58.70 in 1963.

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 59.40
1961 58.84
1962 58.80
1963 58.70
1964 58.70
1965 58.90
1966 59.20
1967 59.60
1968 59.60
1969 60.10
1970 60.40
1971 60.00
1972 60.40
1973 60.80
1974 61.30
1975 61.20
1976 61.59
1977 62.26
1978 63.16
1979 63.70
1980 63.85
1981 64.01
1982 64.04
1983 64.07
1984 64.46
1985 64.88
1986 65.38
1987 65.69
1988 65.99
1989 66.58
1990 66.57
1991 66.24
1992 66.33
1993 66.20
1994 66.51
1995 66.53
1996 66.65
1997 66.96
1998 66.89
1999 66.92
2000 66.94
2001 66.73
2002 66.61
2003 66.37
2004 66.14
2005 66.16
2006 66.27
2007 66.18
2008 66.15
2009 65.55
2010 64.94
2011 64.38
2012 63.99
2013 63.58
2014 63.21
2015 62.98
2016 63.09
2017 63.15
2018 63.14
2019 63.38
2020 61.99
2021 62.02

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