Photo: Stefano Brivio · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
United States: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
United States is placed 14th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 59.11 (2025); Labour Income Share 55.81 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
14th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place United States on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
59.11
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
United States: 59.11. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Northern America
- 60.06 Canada
- Land neighbours
- Canada 60.06 · Mexico 59.96
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
4.198
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
United States: 4.198. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Northern America
- 4.198 United States
- Land neighbours
- Canada 6.907 · Mexico 2.673
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.81
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
United States: 3.81. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Northern America
- 3.81 United States
- Land neighbours
- Canada 9.555 · Mexico 25.31
02Over time
Which way United States is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
United StatesWorld median
United States fell from 63.51 in 2000 to 59.11 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year United States World median 2025 59.114 57.720 2024 59.467 57.694 2023 59.821 58.158 2022 59.538 57.688 2021 58.211 56.066 2020 56.598 55.691 2019 60.543 57.871 2018 60.153 56.911 2017 59.824 56.738 2016 59.391 56.845 2015 58.979 56.788 2014 58.595 56.774 2013 58.108 56.229 2012 58.017 56.289 2011 57.574 56.297 2010 57.592 56.212 2009 58.412 56.255 2008 61.226 57.308 2007 61.990 56.933 2006 62.162 56.685 2005 61.742 56.129 2004 61.407 55.465 2003 61.314 55.630 2002 61.793 55.843 2001 62.746 56.018 2000 63.506 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
United StatesWorld median
United States fell from 62.01 in 2004 to 55.81 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year United States World median 2025 55.807 46.230 2024 55.452 46.060 2023 55.385 45.900 2022 56.163 45.615 2021 57.926 45.433 2020 59.091 47.267 2019 58.200 46.277 2018 58.397 46.187 2017 58.398 46.467 2016 58.399 46.798 2015 58.582 46.876 2014 58.089 47.281 2013 57.917 46.887 2012 58.537 46.231 2011 58.675 45.679 2010 58.758 46.024 2009 59.791 47.071 2008 60.854 45.312 2007 60.906 45.246 2006 60.895 45.670 2005 61.055 46.265 2004 62.010 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
United StatesWorld median
United States rose from 3.992 in 2000 to 4.198 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year United States World median 2025 4.198 5.08 2024 4.022 5.15 2023 3.638 5.21 2022 3.650 5.34 2021 5.349 6.04 2020 8.055 6.38 2019 3.669 5.36 2018 3.896 5.35 2017 4.355 5.59 2016 4.869 5.90 2015 5.280 6.41 2014 6.168 6.58 2013 7.375 6.71 2012 8.069 6.79 2011 8.949 6.90 2010 9.633 7.04 2009 9.254 6.67 2008 5.784 5.79 2007 4.622 6.00 2006 4.623 6.50 2005 5.084 7.09 2004 5.529 6.80 2003 5.989 6.95 2002 5.783 6.91 2001 4.731 6.96 2000 3.992 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
United StatesWorld median
United States fell from 4.369 in 2000 to 3.81 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year United States World median 2025 3.810 28.67 2024 3.851 29.04 2023 3.759 29.33 2022 3.865 29.67 2021 4.025 30.01 2020 3.956 30.54 2019 3.935 29.98 2018 4.024 30.15 2017 3.981 29.93 2016 4.026 29.91 2015 4.019 30.26 2014 3.983 30.47 2013 4.028 31.14 2012 4.075 31.00 2011 4.073 31.41 2010 4.159 32.37 2009 4.157 32.59 2008 4.074 31.76 2007 4.194 33.47 2006 4.322 34.27 2005 4.384 34.66 2004 4.454 35.51 2003 4.446 35.90 2002 4.311 35.96 2001 4.348 35.27 2000 4.369 35.67
03In context
United States beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
United States and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 14th | 59.11 | 55.81 | 4.198 | 3.81 |
 Canadacompare | 36th | 60.06 | 58.7 | 6.907 | 9.555 |
 Mexicocompare | 67th | 59.96 | 37.98 | 2.673 | 25.31 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
- United States14th
- Canada36th
Bermudanot placed
Greenlandnot placed
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below United States in the topic’s list.
Moldova11th
Kuwait12th
Russia13th- United States14th
Israel15th
Nigeria16th
Singapore17th
04Context, no vote
Where United States is ahead of the world, and behind
30 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median15
Statistics on which United States does better than the middle country measured.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230503,35025,230No real change since 2010
United States: 503,350 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 4th of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384156,98347,384No real change since 2015
United States: 156,983 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 9th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1681.822.16▲ Improved since 2015
United States: 81.8 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 12th of 182 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.565.64512.56No real change since 2014
United States: 5.645 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 69th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6365,9851,636No real change since 2014
United States: 5,985 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 8th of 75 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 050.50No earlier reading
United States: 50.5 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8644.3335.86▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 44.33 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 14th of 86 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.987.245.9No earlier reading
United States: 87.2 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8122.9441.81No earlier reading
United States: 22.94 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 145th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1623.2119.16No earlier reading
United States: 23.21 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 54th of 179 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0740.7632.07No earlier reading
United States: 40.76 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3111.614.31No real change since 2014
United States: 11.6 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 65th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.839.3412.83▲ Improved since 2015
United States: 9.34 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 120th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3656.3453.36▼ Worsened since 2015
United States: 56.34 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 74th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6661.761.66▼ Worsened since 2015
United States: 61.7 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 91st of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median8
Statistics on which United States does worse than the middle country measured.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8922.3417.89▲ Improved since 2014
United States: 22.34 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 22nd of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6810.2916.68No earlier reading
United States: 10.29 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 100th of 139 · derived.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.0053.52.005▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 3.5 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.613.831.61▼ Worsened since 2015
United States: 3.83 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
United States: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.430.337▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 0.43 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 14th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 98098No real change since 2015
United States: 0 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.070.575No earlier reading
United States: 0.07 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5179.5659.51Moved since 2015
United States: 79.56 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 23rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,257657.95Moved since 2014
United States: 1,257 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8818.9118.88No real change since 2015
United States: 18.91 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 90th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0112.8815.01No earlier reading
United States: 12.88 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 76th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8936.2738.89No real change since 2015
United States: 36.27 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 122nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.381.52514.38No real change since 2015
United States: 1.525 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 165th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.846.07431.84No real change since 2015
United States: 6.074 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 175th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for United States
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker (last 2015), Informal Employment Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Working Poverty Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among United States’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is United States’s 4th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade7th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology8th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture12th of 1844/4 keys
- Work & Labour14th of 1824/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 25th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 30th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation28th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital46th of 1963/3 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 43rd of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge60th of 1983/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties68th of 1984/4 keys
- Energy59th of 1653/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience72nd of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality79th of 1593/3 keys
- Peace & Security136th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability171st of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders United States can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
United States14th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about United States and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
United States on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does United States rank on work & labour?
United States is placed 14th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for United States?
59.11 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for United States?
55.81 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does United States compare with Mexico on work & labour?
Mexico is placed 67th of 182, and United States 14th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Mexico 59.96, United States 59.11; Labour Income Share: Mexico 37.98, United States 55.81; Unemployment Rate: Mexico 2.673, United States 4.198; Vulnerable Employment: Mexico 25.31, United States 3.81.
How have United States’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 63.51 in 2000 to 59.11 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 62.01 in 2004 to 55.81 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 3.992 in 2000 to 4.198 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 4.369 in 2000 to 3.81 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for United States?
No current reading is published for United States on Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker, Informal Employment Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 30 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
United States’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- United States (banner) — Stefano Brivio, CC BY 2.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). United States: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/united-states/work