Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in China
China: Labor force, female (% of total labor force) was 45.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force, female in China, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database. Measured in % of total labor force.
Analysis
China recorded 45.4% for labor force, female in 2025.
That represents a change of up 0.1% on the previous year and up 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force, female in China peaked at 45.6% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 44.4%, in 2010.
China ranks 96th of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in China, year by year
| Year | % of total labor force | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 45.6% | — |
| 1991 | 45.6% | -0.1% |
| 1992 | 45.6% | -0.1% |
| 1993 | 45.5% | -0.1% |
| 1994 | 45.5% | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 45.5% | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 45.4% | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 45.4% | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 45.4% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 45.4% | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 45.3% | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 45.2% | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 45.2% | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 45.1% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 45.0% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 44.9% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 44.8% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 44.7% | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 44.6% | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 44.5% | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 44.4% | -0.2% |
| 2011 | 44.4% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 44.5% | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 44.5% | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 44.6% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 44.7% | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 44.7% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 44.8% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 44.9% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 45.0% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 45.0% | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 45.1% | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 45.2% | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 45.3% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 45.3% | +0.1% |
| 2025 | 45.4% | +0.1% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 45.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 42.4%, 1.1× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- China's 45.4% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 45.8%, 99% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 45.5% | 45.4% | 45.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 44.9% | 44.5% | 45.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 44.7% | 44.4% | 45.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 45.2% | 45.0% | 45.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More education data for China
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.41 million (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 7,020 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 21.58 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 19.36 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 97.98 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 108.57 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.9587 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0771 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force, female in China?
- Labor force, female in China was 45.4% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
- What is the highest labor force, female recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 45.6% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force, female recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 44.4% in 2010.
- How does China rank for labor force, female?
- China ranks 96th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force, female rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database, published as part of Labor force, female (% of total labor force). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Female labor force as a percentage of the total show the extent to which women are active in the labor force. Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.