Highlights..............................1

Unemployment........................2

Labor force participation.............5

Employment...........................7

Working age population.............8

Technical notes.........................9

 

Elimination of ILC 

BLS has eliminated the International 

Labor Comparisons (ILC) program.

This is the last scheduled release of 

new data on international comparisons 

of annual labor force statistics.

Table of Contents

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Country notes:

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International Comparisons of 

Annual Labor Force Statistics, 1970-2012 

International Labor Comparisons June 7, 2013

The unemployment rate is

the unemployed as a 

percentage of the labor force; it 

is the most widely used 

measure of an economy’s 

unused labor supply. 

In 2012, the United States had 

the 6th highest unemployment 

rate of the 16 countries 

covered. Spain ranked the 

highest followed closely by 

South Africa, while the Republic 

of Korea maintained the lowest 

unemployment rate for the 

year.

For more details on unemployment rates, see page 2 or the 

Technical Notes.

The employment growth rate 

measures the change in the 

number of persons working for a 

given period. 

From 2011 to 2012, 

employment increased in 12 of 

the 16 countries compared. 

Mexico had the highest growth, 

followed by Turkey. New 

Zealand showed no change. 

Spain experienced the steepest

decline in employment. 

For more details on employment, 

see page 7 or the Technical 

Notes.

Percent

3.2

3.9

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.5

6.3

6.9

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.3

10.0

10.8

25.1

25.2

0 10 20 30

Korea, Republic of

Japan

Mexico

Australia

Netherlands

Germany

Canada

New Zealand

Sweden

United Kingdom

United States 

Turkey

France

Italy

South Africa

Spain

Unemployment rates, 2012

0.0

0.2

0.7

0.7

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.8

1.9

1.9

2.8

3.2

-4.5

-0.4

-0.3

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4

Spain

Italy

Japan

New Zealand

France

Sweden

Netherlands

Germany

Australia

United Kingdom

Canada

Korea, Republic of

United States 

South Africa

Turkey

Mexico

Employment, % Change, 2011-12

Percent
Chart 1. Unemployment rates, 2006-2012

Table 1. Unemployment rates

(In percent)

1970 1980 1990 2000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

United States 4.9 7.1 5.6 4.0 4.6 4.6 5.8 9.3 9.6 8.9 8.1

Australia 1.7 6.1 6.9 6.3 4.8 4.4 4.2 5.6 5.2 5.1 5.2

Canada 5.7 7.3 7.7 6.1 5.5 5.2 5.3 7.3 7.1 6.5 6.3

France 2.5 5.6 8.0 8.6 8.9 8.1 7.5 9.2 9.4 9.3 10.0

Germany 0.5 2.8 5.0 7.8 10.3 8.7 7.6 7.8 7.1 5.9 5.5

Italy 3.2 4.4 7.0 10.1 6.9 6.2 6.8 7.9 8.5 8.5 10.8

Japan 1.2 2.0 2.0 4.4 3.6 3.6 3.7 4.8 4.7 4.2 3.9

Korea, Republic of 4.4 5.2 2.4 b 4.4 3.4 3.2 3.2 3.6 3.7 3.4 3.2

Mexico NA NA NA NA 3.7 3.8 4.1 5.6 b 5.4 5.3 5.1

Netherlands NA 6.0 7.6 b 3.1 4.3 3.5 3.0 3.7 b 4.5 4.5 5.3

New Zealand NA NA 8.0 6.1 3.8 3.7 4.2 6.1 6.5 6.5 6.9

South Africa NA NA NA NA NA NA 22.8 23.9 24.9 24.9 25.1

Spain NA 11.3 15.2 12.0 8.6 8.3 11.4 18.1 20.2 21.8 25.2

Sweden 1.5 2.0 1.8 5.8 7.0 6.1 6.1 8.3 8.5 7.7 7.9

Turkey NA NA NA NA 8.8 9.0 9.9 12.8 10.9 9.0 8.3

United Kingdom NA 6.8 7.1 5.5 5.5 5.4 5.7 7.6 7.9 8.1 8.0

0 10 20 30

New Zealand

Canada

Germany

Netherlands

Australia

Mexico

Japan

Korea, Republic of

Percent

0 10 20 30

Spain

South Africa

Italy

France

Turkey

United States 

United Kingdom

Sweden

Percent

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Over the last 7 years, the unemployment rates for the United States and most other countries remained below 10 

percent, even during the downturn of the 2009 global recession. However, rates in Spain and South Africa were 

higher than 15 percent during the period.

NA Not available.

b Indicates a break in series; see country notes for break year and more information.

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Chart 2. Unemployment rates by sex, 2012

Table 2. Unemployment rates by sex

(In percent)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women

United States 6.1 5.4 10.3 8.1 10.5 8.6 9.4 8.5 8.2 7.9

Australia 4.0 4.6 5.7 5.4 5.1 5.4 4.9 5.3 5.2 5.3

Canada 5.8 4.8 8.5 6.1 7.8 6.2 7.0 5.9 6.7 5.8

France 7.0 7.9 9.1 9.4 9.1 9.7 8.9 9.7 9.9 10.0

Germany 7.5 7.7 8.2 7.3 7.6 6.5 6.2 5.6 5.7 5.2

Italy 5.6 8.5 6.9 9.3 7.7 9.7 7.7 9.6 10.0 11.9

Japan 3.2 4.3 4.4 5.2 4.5 5.0 4.1 4.4 3.6 4.2

Korea, Republic of 3.6 2.6 4.1 3.0 4.0 3.3 3.6 3.1 3.4 3.0

Mexico 3.9 4.3 5.5 5.6 b 5.5 b 5.4 5.3 5.3 5.0 5.1

Netherlands 2.8 3.3 3.7 3.7 b 4.4 b 4.5 4.5 4.4 5.4 5.2

New Zealand 4.1 4.2 6.1 6.1 6.2 6.9 6.3 6.7 6.5 7.3

South Africa 19.8 26.4 22.0 26.2 22.8 27.5 22.5 27.8 22.9 27.8

Spain 10.1 13.1 17.9 18.5 19.9 20.6 21.4 22.2 24.9 25.5

Sweden 5.8 6.3 8.6 7.9 8.6 8.4 7.8 7.6 8.2 7.6

Turkey 9.6 10.5 12.6 13.3 10.4 12.0 8.3 10.7 7.7 10.0

United Kingdom 6.2 5.1 8.7 6.4 8.7 6.9 8.8 7.3 8.4 7.4

0 10 20 30

South Africa

Spain

Italy

Turkey

France

United States 

Sweden

United Kingdom Men

Women

Percent

b Indicates a break in series; see country notes for break year and more information.

Historically, unemployment rates have been higher for women than for men; however, in recent years the reverse has 

been true in an increasing number of countries. In 2012, unemployment rates for men were higher than for women in 7 

of the 16 countries compared: the United States, Canada, Germany, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, and the 

United Kingdom.

0 10 20 30

New Zealand

Canada

Australia

Netherlands

Germany

Mexico

Japan

Korea, Republic of

Percent

www.bls.gov/ilc | 3
Chart 3. Unemployment rates by age, 2012

Table 3. Unemployment rates by age

(In percent)

2009 2010 2011 2012

15-19 1 20-24 25+ 15-19 1 20-24 25+ 15-19 1 20-24 25+ 15-19 1 20-24 25+

United States 24.3 14.7 7.9 25.9 15.5 8.2 24.4 14.6 7.6 24.0 13.3 6.8

Australia 16.5 8.2 4.3 16.8 8.1 3.8 16.1 8.3 3.7 16.7 8.6 3.9

Canada 18.5 11.2 6.1 18.6 10.7 5.9 17.7 10.1 5.4 18.7 10.0 5.1

France 30.9 21.6 7.6 29.7 21.4 7.9 29.4 20.5 7.9 32.8 21.9 8.4

Germany 11.3 11.1 7.3 10.7 9.5 6.8 10.0 8.2 5.6 9.2 7.9 5.2

Italy 40.3 23.0 6.5 45.8 25.0 7.1 48.7 26.3 7.0 56.9 32.1 9.0

Japan 9.5 8.9 4.4 9.9 9.0 4.3 9.0 7.9 3.9 7.6 7.5 3.5

Korea, Republic of 12.3 9.5 3.2 12.1 9.4 3.3 10.6 9.4 3.0 8.7 9.0 2.8

Mexico 11.2 10.1 4.3 b 11.0 b 9.5 b 4.2 10.9 9.7 4.1 10.5 9.5 3.9

Netherlands 9.4 6.1 2.9 b 11.2 b 7.0 b 3.7 10.5 5.7 3.9 12.8 7.2 4.5

New Zealand 23.4 11.5 4.0 24.7 12.0 4.5 25.7 12.2 4.4 25.8 13.1 4.9

South Africa NA NA 19.3 NA NA 20.3 NA NA 20.6 NA NA 20.7

Spain 56.4 34.0 16.0 62.3 37.7 18.1 64.6 43.2 19.5 73.3 49.7 22.8

Sweden 35.9 20.0 5.9 35.6 19.9 6.2 33.9 18.1 5.5 35.8 19.0 5.7

Turkey 22.0 24.3 10.5 17.7 21.9 8.9 15.0 18.5 7.3 13.9 17.5 6.9

United Kingdom 26.8 15.3 5.6 29.1 15.3 5.8 31.2 16.5 5.8 30.5 16.9 5.7

NA Not available.

b Indicates a break in series; see country notes for break year and more information. 1 Lower age limits vary by country, see technical notes.

0 20 40 60 80

South Africa

Spain

Italy

Sweden

France

United Kingdom

New Zealand

United States 

Percent

25 +

20-24

15-19

0 20 40 60 80

Canada

Australia

Turkey

Netherlands

Mexico

Germany

Korea, Republic of

Japan

Percent

For nearly all countries shown, unemployment rates for teens (15-19) have historically been higher than rates for the 

other age groups compared. Turkey and the Republic of Korea were the only two countries to have higher 

unemployment rates for young adults (20-24) than for teens. Japan’s unemployment rates for teens and young adults 

were virtually the same. Spain and Italy had the largest increases in teen unemployment over the 2009-2012 period. 

1

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Chart 4. Labor force participation rates by sex, 2012

Table 4. Labor force participation rates by sex

(In percent)

2009 2010 2011 2012

Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women Total

United States 72.0 59.2 65.4 71.2 58.6 64.7 70.5 58.1 64.1 70.2 57.7 63.7

Australia 73.3 60.1 66.7 73.2 59.8 66.4 73.1 60.0 66.5 72.6 59.9 66.2

Canada 72.0 62.5 67.2 71.8 62.4 67.0 71.7 62.2 66.8 71.4 62.1 66.7

France 61.1 50.9 55.8 61.0 51.0 55.8 60.7 50.9 55.6 61.1 51.2 55.9

Germany 65.3 52.1 58.5 65.1 52.4 58.6 65.6 53.2 59.2 65.5 53.2 59.2

Italy 59.4 38.2 48.4 59.0 38.2 48.1 58.7 38.4 48.1 59.2 39.7 49.0

Japan 71.3 48.1 59.3 70.9 48.1 59.1 70.5 47.7 58.7 69.8 47.7 58.4

Korea, Republic of 73.1 49.2 60.8 73.0 49.4 61.0 73.1 49.7 61.1 73.3 49.9 61.3

Mexico 76.7 41.1 57.9 b 76.5 b 40.7 b 57.6 76.4 41.2 57.8 76.7 42.0 58.4

Netherlands 72.9 59.8 66.2 b 71.1 b 58.4 b 64.6 70.3 58.3 64.2 70.9 58.9 64.8

New Zealand 74.6 62.2 68.2 74.4 62.1 68.1 74.6 62.5 68.4 74.0 62.6 68.2

South Africa 63.7 49.0 56.1 61.8 47.4 54.3 61.2 47.9 54.3 61.7 48.3 54.8

Spain 68.4 51.4 59.7 67.8 52.1 59.8 67.2 52.8 59.8 66.7 53.2 59.8

Sweden 68.9 60.7 64.8 69.3 60.3 64.7 69.3 61.0 65.1 69.2 61.3 65.2

Turkey 69.1 24.1 46.2 69.6 25.6 47.2 70.6 26.7 48.3 70.0 27.2 48.3

United Kingdom 70.2 56.8 63.4 69.8 56.8 63.2 69.7 57.0 63.2 69.8 57.2 63.4

15 35 55 75 95

United Kingdom

United States

Germany

Netherlands

New Zealand

 France 

Canada

 Sweden 

15 35 55 75 95

Women

Total

Men

Turkey

Mexico

Korea, Republic of

Japan

Italy

Spain

South Africa

 Australia

Percent Percent

The labor force participation rate is the ratio of the actual labor force (employed and unemployed) as a percent of 

the potential labor force (working age population). For more information, see the technical notes.

In 2012, labor force participation rates were higher for men than for women in all 16 countries compared. The 

lowest gender gaps were in Sweden and Canada, while the largest disparity in gender participation existed in 

Turkey, Mexico and the Republic of Korea.

b Indicates a break in series; see country notes for break year and more information.

www.bls.gov/ilc | 5
Chart 5. Labor force participation rates by age, 2012

Table 5. Labor force participation rates by age

(In percent)

2009 2010 2011 2012

15-19 1 20-24 25+ 15-19 1 20-24 25+ 15-19 1 20-24 25+ 15-19 1 20-24 25+

United States 37.5 72.9 67.0 34.9 71.4 66.5 34.1 71.3 65.8 34.3 70.9 65.4

Canada 58.6 76.7 66.9 57.2 76.2 66.9 57.2 76.1 66.6 55.4 75.2 66.6

Germany 31.3 70.3 59.6 30.3 69.5 59.7 30.3 70.3 60.3 28.4 68.9 60.5

Japan 14.9 68.3 61.4 14.5 68.1 61.3 14.0 68.0 60.8 14.2 67.5 60.5

Korea, Republic of 6.2 49.2 67.0 7.0 48.9 67.1 7.6 48.0 67.3 7.7 48.9 67.3

Mexico 29.0 60.1 64.3 b 28.9 b 60.6 b 63.8 28.7 60.1 63.9 28.4 60.5 64.6

New Zealand 51.0 73.4 69.7 47.8 73.2 69.8 45.6 74.6 70.2 44.3 75.0 70.0

Spain 24.3 65.9 61.1 21.2 64.0 61.5 19.2 62.6 61.7 17.3 60.6 61.9

Turkey 25.6 48.9 49.0 25.0 49.6 50.3 24.9 51.5 51.3 23.7 50.4 51.5

United Kingdom 46.4 82.0 63.1 44.4 81.9 63.0 43.4 81.6 63.1 44.0 81.8 63.2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Mexico

Turkey

Spain

Japan

Korea, Republic of

Percent

0 50 100

Canada

New Zealand

United Kingdom

United States 

Germany

Percent

25 +

20-24

15-19

In 2012, participation rates were highest among young adults between the ages of 20 to 24 in 6 of the 10 

countries for which data were available. The United Kingdom had the highest participation rates for young 

adults while the Republic of Korea had the lowest rates for this age group.

Adults over 25 had higher participation rates than young adults and teens (15-19) in the other 4 countries 

compared, which included the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Spain and Turkey. 

1

b Indicates a break in series; see country notes for break year and more information.

1 Lower age limits vary by country, see technical notes.

www.bls.gov/ilc | 6
Chart 6. Employment-population ratios and composition of employment by sector, 1970-2012

Table 6. Employment shares by sector

(In percent)

1980 2012

Agriculture Industry Services Not employed Agriculture Industry Services Not employed

United States 2.0 17.3 39.8 40.8 0.9 10.1 47.6 41.4

Australia 3.8 16.7 37.8 41.7 1.8 12.2 48.7 37.3

Canada 3.0 16.5 40.9 39.7 1.4 12.0 49.1 37.5

France 5.6 19.1 28.1 47.2 1.5 10.3 38.5 49.7

Germany 2.8 22.8 27.6 46.9 0.9 15.0 40.0 44.0

Italy 6.5 17.0 22.4 54.0 1.6 11.6 30.5 56.3

Japan 6.2 21.5 33.6 38.7 2.1 13.9 40.2 43.8

Korea, Republic of 19.0 16.0 20.9 44.1 3.7 14.2 41.5 40.6

Mexico NA NA NA NA 7.5 13.0 34.9 44.5

Netherlands 2.7 15.5 33.9 47.9 1.7 9.9 49.7 38.6

New Zealand NA NA NA NA 4.3 12.1 47.1 36.5

South Africa NA NA NA NA 2.0 9.4 29.6 59.0

Spain 8.3 16.1 20.3 55.3 1.9 8.8 34.1 55.2

Sweden 3.7 20.7 41.3 34.4 1.3 11.2 47.6 39.9

Turkey NA NA NA NA 10.2 11.4 22.7 55.8

United Kingdom 1.5 21.1 35.9 41.5 0.7 10.3 47.4 41.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1970198520002012197019852000201219701985200020121970198520002012197019852000201219701985200020121970198520002012197019852000201219701985200020121970198520002012197019852000201219701985200020121970198520002012197019852000201219701985200020121970198520002012

Services Industry Agriculture

United 

States Australia Canada France Germany Italy Japan Korea,Republic of Mexico Netherl-ands

New 

Zealand Spain South Africa Sweden Turkey United Kingdom

The percentage of the working age population employed has remained between 50 and 65 percent in most 

countries covered over the past 40 years, but the share of the working age population employed in each sector 

has shifted over time. The share of the working age population employed in agriculture dropped by more than 

half in all countries covered except the Netherlands, and the share of the working age population employed in 

industry (manufacturing, mining, and construction) fell in all countries covered except the Republic of Korea and 

Turkey. In contrast, the share of the working age population employed in services increased in all countries 

covered, and by 2012, the share was nearly at or above 40 percent in the majority of countries covered.

NA Not available.

Details on employment, see technical notes.

Percent

www.bls.gov/ilc | 7
Chart 7. Working age population, 2012

Table 7. Working age population

(In thousands)

1970 1980 1990 2000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

United States 137,085 167,745 189,164 212,577 228,815 231,867 233,788 235,801 237,830 239,618 243,284

Australia 8,819 10,778 13,051 14,902 16,371 16,701 17,020 17,400 17,773 18,052 18,332

Canada 14,528 18,032 20,852 23,687 25,711 26,094 26,486 26,883 27,250 27,578 27,922

France 36,980 40,601 44,152 46,871 49,250 49,559 49,826 50,057 50,294 50,557 50,782

Germany 46,094 49,848 53,438 69,365 70,892 70,968 71,021 70,943 70,858 70,978 71,274

Italy 40,279 43,860 48,016 48,029 49,913 50,301 50,711 51,064 51,311 51,579 51,729

Japan 78,616 89,078 100,656 108,120 110,059 110,419 110,630 110,761 110,881 110,882 110,752

Korea, Republic of 17,468 24,463 30,887 36,186 38,762 39,170 39,598 40,092 40,590 41,052 41,582

Mexico NA NA NA NA 74,282 75,538 76,761 78,314 b 81,969 83,399 85,023

Netherlands NA 10,588 11,865 b 12,703 13,128 13,190 13,271 13,368 13,460 13,540 13,629

New Zealand NA NA 2,612 2,938 3,252 3,297 3,335 3,379 3,427 3,465 3,492

South Africa NA NA NA NA NA NA 30,967 31,494 32,007 32,494 32,959

Spain NA 26,370 30,160 33,430 36,920 37,575 38,112 38,325 38,375 38,398 38,334

Sweden 6,106 6,441 6,823 7,043 7,312 7,387 7,467 7,547 7,620 7,682 7,732

Turkey NA NA NA NA 49,174 49,994 50,772 51,686 52,541 53,593 54,724

United Kingdom NA 42,582 44,717 46,085 48,197 48,611 48,998 49,355 49,726 50,095 50,473

0 50 100 150 200 250

New Zealand

Sweden

Netherlands

Australia

Canada

South Africa

Spain

Korea, Republic of

United Kingdom

France

Italy

Turkey

Germany

Mexico

Japan

United States 

NA Not available.

b Indicates a break in series; see country notes for exact break year and more information.

The working age population is the noninstitutional population generally 16 years and over, or the potential 

population available to work. For more information on working age population, see the technical notes.

The United States working age population was more than twice as large as the next largest country compared (Japan). 

Between 2006 and 2012, the working age population in the United States grew faster than in Japan and in all 

European countries compared, but grew more slowly than in the remaining countries.

 

Millions

www.bls.gov/ilc | 8
Technical Notes

This report presents selected labor force statistics adjusted to U.S. concepts for 1970 onward for

the United States and fifteen foreign countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the

Republic of Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and

the United Kingdom. For more information see technical notes or country notes.

UNEMPLOYMENT

In the United States, unemployment includes all persons who, during the reference week:

• Had no employment,

• Were available for work, except for temporary illness, and

• Had actively sought work during the 4-week period ending with the reference week.

Active job search methods are those that have the potential to result in a job offer without further 

action on the part of the jobseeker. For example, sending a resume to an employer would be 

considered active, whereas simply reading newspaper advertisements would not.

Persons who were waiting to start a new job must have fulfilled these criteria to be considered 

unemployed. However, persons who were waiting to be recalled to a job from which they had been 

laid off need not have been looking for work.

The unemployment rate represents the percentage of persons in the labor force who are 

unemployed.

EMPLOYMENT

According to U.S. definitions, employment includes all persons who, during the reference week:

• Worked at least 1 hour as paid employees, worked in their own business, profession, or on 

their own farm, or worked at least 15 hours as unpaid workers in a family-operated 

enterprise, and

• All those who did not work but had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily 

absent due to vacation, illness, bad weather, childcare problems, maternity or paternity 

leave, labor-management dispute, job training, or other family or personal reasons, 

regardless of whether they were paid for the time off or were seeking other jobs.

Each employed person is counted only once, even if he or she holds more than one job. For purposes 

of industry classification, multiple jobholders are counted in the job at which they worked the 

greatest number of hours during the reference week.

Persons whose only activity consisted of work around their own house (painting, repairing, or own 

home housework) or volunteer work for religious, charitable, and other organizations are excluded.

www.bls.gov/ilc | 9
EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR

Employment levels and distributions are shown for four broad economic sectors: agriculture, 

industry, manufacturing (a sub-sector of industry), and services.

Sectoral employment data are based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 

for the United States for 2000 onward, Canada for 1976 onward, and Mexico for 2005 onward. Data 

for Japan are based on the Japanese Standard Industrial Classification System (JSIC). For all other 

countries covered, sectoral employment data are based on the International Standard Industrial 

Classification (ISIC). Effects of the change in classification system are discussed in the country notes.

LABOR FORCE

The labor force is comprised of persons who are in employment and unemployment. All members of 

the working-age population are eligible for inclusion in the labor force, and those 16 and over (in the 

United States; age limits vary by country) who have a job or are actively looking for one are so 

classified. All others—those who have no job and are not looking for one—are counted as "not in the 

labor force."

The labor force participation rate represents the proportion of the working-age population that is in 

the labor force. Conversely, the inactivity rate represents the proportion of the working-age 

population that is not in the labor force. All persons in the civilian non-institutional working-age 

population who are neither employed nor unemployed are considered not in the labor force. Many 

who do not participate in the labor force are going to school or are retired. Family responsibilities 

keep others out of the labor force. Still others have a physical or mental disability which prevents 

them from participating in labor force activities.

WORKING-AGE POPULATION

The labor market statistics provided in this report describe the working-age population. In the 

United States, the working-age population is more specifically known as the civilian noninstitutional working-age population:

• “Civilian” refers to persons who are not on active duty in the military;

• “Non-institutional” refers to persons who are not in institutions, such as prison inmates or 

those in a mental institution; and

• “Working-age” refers to persons 16 years of age and older.

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