Labor force, total in United States
United States: Labor force, total was 174.83 million in 2025. ▲ Rising
Labor force, total in United States, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force, total in United States is 174.83 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 36 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.4% on the previous year and up 8.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force, total in United States peaked at 174.83 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 127.82 million, in 1990.
United States ranks 3rd of 187 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 36 years of available data.
Labor force, total in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 127.82 million | — |
| 1991 | 128.74 million | +0.7% |
| 1992 | 130.85 million | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 132.27 million | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 134.61 million | +1.8% |
| 1995 | 136.62 million | +1.5% |
| 1996 | 138.78 million | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 141.36 million | +1.9% |
| 1998 | 143.10 million | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 145.08 million | +1.4% |
| 2000 | 147.14 million | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 148.21 million | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 149.24 million | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 149.99 million | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 151.22 million | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 153.12 million | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 155.27 million | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 156.59 million | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 158.27 million | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 158.35 million | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 158.33 million | -0.0% |
| 2011 | 158.54 million | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 159.68 million | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 160.13 million | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 160.88 million | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 161.93 million | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 163.89 million | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 165.60 million | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 167.00 million | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 168.92 million | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 166.56 million | -1.4% |
| 2021 | 167.18 million | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 169.48 million | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 172.28 million | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 174.17 million | +1.1% |
| 2025 | 174.83 million | +0.4% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 174.83 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 3.08 million, 56.7× the median. (62 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 135.92 million | 127.82 million | 145.08 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 152.74 million | 147.14 million | 158.35 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 162.49 million | 158.33 million | 168.92 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 170.75 million | 166.56 million | 174.83 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More education data for United States
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1.74 million (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 419,732 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 4.34 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.14 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.35 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 23.83 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.33 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0708 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force, total in United States?
- Labor force, total in United States was 174.83 million in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
- What is the highest labor force, total recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 174.83 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest labor force, total recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 127.82 million in 1990.
- How does United States rank for labor force, total?
- United States ranks 3rd out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force, total rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States 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.