Labor force, total in Japan
Japan: Labor force, total was 69.48 million in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force, total in Japan, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force, total in Japan is 69.48 million, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 5.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force, total in Japan peaked at 69.50 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 64.17 million, in 1990.
That places Japan 10th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
Labor force, total in Japan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 64.17 million | — |
| 1991 | 65.32 million | +1.8% |
| 1992 | 66.19 million | +1.3% |
| 1993 | 66.59 million | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 66.89 million | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 67.13 million | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 67.60 million | +0.7% |
| 1997 | 68.17 million | +0.8% |
| 1998 | 68.19 million | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 67.98 million | -0.3% |
| 2000 | 67.81 million | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 67.62 million | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 67.05 million | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 66.78 million | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 66.51 million | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 66.58 million | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 66.69 million | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 66.80 million | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 66.61 million | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 66.34 million | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 66.10 million | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 65.67 million | -0.6% |
| 2012 | 65.38 million | -0.5% |
| 2013 | 65.62 million | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 65.84 million | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 65.93 million | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 66.53 million | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 67.07 million | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 68.19 million | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 68.81 million | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 68.66 million | -0.2% |
| 2021 | 68.59 million | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 68.93 million | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 69.20 million | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 69.50 million | +0.4% |
| 2025 | 69.48 million | -0.0% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 69.48 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 3.08 million, 22.5× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Japan's 69.48 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.75 million, 18.5× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 66.82 million | 64.17 million | 68.19 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 66.88 million | 66.34 million | 67.81 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 66.51 million | 65.38 million | 68.81 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 69.06 million | 68.59 million | 69.50 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More education data for Japan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 627,777 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (1999)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.50 million (1999)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.46 million (1999)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.61 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.25 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.01 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0502 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force, total in Japan?
- Labor force, total in Japan was 69.48 million in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
- What is the highest labor force, total recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 69.50 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest labor force, total recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 64.17 million in 1990.
- How does Japan rank for labor force, total?
- Japan ranks 10th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force, total rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database, published as part of Labor force, total. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. 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.