Employment rate (ages 15 and over)

In brief

Employment rate (ages 15 and over): across 184 countries and territories, values range from 21.2 % (São Tomé & Príncipe) to 86.9 % (Qatar), with a world median of 57.5 %. Data: 2021–2025. The top 10% of countries exceed 71.5 %, while the bottom 10% stay below 39.3 %. By continent, the median is highest in Asia (60.4 %) and lowest in Oceania (54.1 %).

Median by continent

Why this indicator matters

The employment rate shows what share of people aged 15 and over actually work. It gives a more concrete picture of the labor market than unemployment alone, because it takes into account everyone without a job, whether or not they are looking for one.

What makes this indicator vary

It rises when the economy creates jobs, when many women and young people work and when the retirement age is late. It falls with an aging population, longer studies, high unemployment or a lack of declared jobs.

Reading precautions

The denominator includes everyone aged 15 and over, including retirees and students: an aging country therefore automatically shows a lower rate. Informal work is counted more or less well depending on the country. The indicator says nothing about job quality.