Japan: total workforce 1973-2023

In 2023, the total labor force in Japan was composed of approximately 69.3 million people. The labor force increased from about 69 million in the previous year.

Women in the labor force

Due to its demographical circumstances, Japan has a relatively low unemployment rate. As a consequence, companies employ different strategies to secure labor. The employment of women is seen as one of the possible solutions to the labor shortages. In recent years, women have increasingly joined the labor force in Japan, which is reflected by a growth of the female employment rate. This growing participation in the labor market is partly underpinned by an expansion of the service sector.

Additional workforce

Next to women, the growing number of foreign workers, as well as higher participation of the elderly are also worth mentioning. A breakdown of the labor force by age groups showed that in 2023 more than nine million people were continuing to participate in the labor market beyond the set retirement age of 60 or 65 years.

Labor force in Japan from 1973 to 2023 (in millions)

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Release date

January 2024

More information

Region

Japan

Survey time period

1973 to 2023

Age group

15 years and older

Supplementary notes

*Figures are based on the results of supplementary-estimated figures (persons: 2015-census base, rates: 2005-census base). 2011 yearly average results for the whole of Japan were missing due to the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The source defines the employed and unemployed population aged 15 years and older as labor force.

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