Labor force Japan 1973-2021
In 2021, the total labor force in Japan was composed of approximately 68.6 million people. Despite Japan’s aging population, the labor force decreased from about 68.7 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 2020 roughly nine million people were continuing to participate in the labor market beyond the set retirement age of 65 years.
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 2020 roughly nine million people were continuing to participate in the labor market beyond the set retirement age of 65 years.
