Labor participation ranking 2017 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by Labor Force Participation Rate in 2017, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: Qatar (87.5%). A total of 187 economies reported a value that year.
The leader, Qatar, stood at 87.5%. The twentieth economy, South Sudan, reported 74.27% — a 1.2× spread inside the top 20 alone. Of 187 economies reporting that year, these twenty are the ones usually quoted.
| # | Country | % of population ages 15+ (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar | 87.5% |
| 2 | Madagascar | 85.65% |
| 3 | Solomon Islands | 84.32% |
| 4 | Tanzania | 83.86% |
| 5 | North Korea | 82.09% |
| 6 | Cambodia | 81.41% |
| 7 | Nigeria | 80.89% |
| 8 | Burundi | 80.09% |
| 9 | Eritrea | 79% |
| 10 | Mozambique | 78.98% |
| 11 | United Arab Emirates | 78.76% |
| 12 | Burkina Faso | 78.12% |
| 13 | Viet Nam | 77.2% |
| 14 | Peru | 77% |
| 15 | Liberia | 76.91% |
| 16 | Iceland | 76.89% |
| 17 | Angola | 75.61% |
| 18 | Ethiopia | 74.76% |
| 19 | Benin | 74.32% |
| 20 | South Sudan | 74.27% |
Where are they now?
The top five of 2017 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 2017 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar | #1 | #1 |
| Madagascar | #2 | #2 |
| Solomon Islands | #3 | #3 |
| Tanzania | #4 | #4 |
| North Korea | #7 | #7 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest Labor participation in 2017?
Qatar, with 87.5% (% of population ages 15+).
How many countries are included?
187 economies reported a value for SL.TLF.CACT.ZS in 2017. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.