Politics and governmentPopulation and FamilyEconomy and industryWorkEducation and mediaScience and technologyEnvironment and energyInternational relations and national identitySecurityHealthAgriculture and FoodLeisure, culture and SportsLife World\nG7\nG7+3\nOECD members\nEU+Japan\nASIA\nG17\n

Australia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nColombia\nCosta Rica\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkiye\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n Choose a country to compare\n----------\nAustralia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nColombia\nCosta Rica\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkiye\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n

All rankings including Japan\nRankings in which Japan is Top\nRankings in which Japan is Top 1-3\nRankings in which Japan is Bottom 1-3\nRankings in which Japan is Bottom\nRankings in which Japan is either Top or Bottom\nRankings in which Japan is either Top3 or Bottom3\n

Employment> Japan Labor participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 87.0% (2025) [4/38countries] Labor participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15-64) 77.2% (2025) [13/38countries] Labor participation rate, male (% of male population ages 35-44) 95.7% (2025) [4/38countries] Labor participation rate, female (% of female population ages 35-44) 83.6% (2025) [26/38countries] Labor participation rate, total (% of population ages 60-64) 76.9% (2025) [2/38countries] Labor participation rate, male (% of male population ages 60-64) 86.7% (2025) [1/38countries] Labor participation rate, female (% of female population ages 60-64) 67.4% (2025) [8/38countries] Employment rate, total (% of population ages 25-29) 88.8% (2025) [1/38countries] Employment rate, total (% of population ages 65-74) 45.0% (2025) [2/38countries] % of those who think that the employment of elderly people is good for the country's economy 79.2% (2015) [2/14countries] % of those who think that the employment of elderly people takes jobs away from younger people 19.5% (2015) [10/14countries] Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) 2.8% (2025) [20/38countries] Employment in industry (% of total employment) 23.2% (2025) [15/38countries] Employment in services (% of total employment) 74.0% (2025) [19/38countries] % of employees whose job tenure is 10 years and more: male and female 46.3% (2025) [4/35countries] % of employees whose job tenure is 10 years and more: male 52.6% (2025) [2/35countries] % of employees whose job tenure is 10 years and more: female 38.7% (2025) [10/35countries] % of men who prefer a full time job 73.6% (2015) [12/27countries] % of women who prefer a full time job 41.0% (2015) [19/27countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing a job for everyone who wants one 45.0% (2016) [20/25countries] % of those who are in favour of government financing of projects to create new jobs 67.3% (2016) [25/25countries] Gender equality> Japan % of those who think that it is important that women have the same rights as men 91.3% (2019) [19/21countries] % of those who think that men have a better life 53.0% (2019) [10/21countries] % of those who think that women have a better life 27.1% (2019) [2/21countries] % of those who think that unequal rights for men and women is a very big problem in their country 23.1% (2024) [9/20countries] % of those who think that women will eventually have the same rights as men 72.1% (2019) [21/21countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for promoting equality between men and women 69.7% (2016) [23/25countries] Share of female managers 13.3% (2023) [33/33countries] % of those who think that women and men are equally suited for a senior executive of a large company 66.0% (2022) [20/24countries] % of those who think that men are better suited for a senior executive of a large company 30.3% (2022) [4/24countries] % of those who think that a man's job is to earn money; a woman's job is to look after the home and family 13.4% (2022) [10/24countries] % of those who think that men should have a job priority 41.4% (2019) [8/21countries] % of those who do not think that family life suffers when the mother has a full-time job 58.2% (2022) [11/24countries] % of those who think that both husband and wife should contribute to household income (5 choices) 45.6% (2012) [24/24countries] % of those who think that both husband and wife should contribute to work and family 79.0% (2019) [8/21countries] % of those who think that being a housewife is just as fulfilling as working for pay (5 choices) 66.6% (2022) [1/24countries] % of those who think that what most women really want is a home and children 29.3% (2022) [7/24countries] % of those who think that working mothers have no bad influence over children (5 choices) 75.5% (2022) [16/24countries] % of those who do not think that a pre-school child is likely to suffer if his or her mother works 56.3% (2022) [10/24countries] % of those who think that women should work outside the home full-time when there is a child under school age 11.3% (2022) [21/24countries] % of those who think that both mother and father should work full-time when they have a child under school age 11.4% (2022) [18/24countries] % of those who think that both mother and father should work part-time when they have a child under school age 2.8% (2022) [21/24countries] % of those who think that women should stay at home when there is a child under school age 36.7% (2022) [3/24countries] % of those who think that mother should stay at home and father should work full-time when they have a child under school age 33.7% (2022) [4/24countries] % of those who think that mother should work part-time and father should work full-time when they have a child under school age 52.1% (2022) [1/24countries] % of those who think it is least desirable that both mother and father work full-time when they have a child under school age 36.7% (2022) [12/24countries] % of those who think it is least desirable that father stay at home and mother work full-time when they have a child under school age 30.4% (2022) [10/24countries] % of those who think it is least desirable that mother stay at home and father work full-time when they have a child under school age 7.7% (2022) [21/24countries] % of those who think that women should work outside the home full-time after the youngest child starts school 33.7% (2022) [21/24countries] % of those who think that women should stay at home after the youngest child starts school 5.6% (2022) [5/24countries] % of women who say that they care for sick family members 70.7% (2022) [1/24countries] % of those who say that both partners care for sick family members 28.6% (2022) [24/24countries] Self-employment> Japan Self-employed, total (% of total employment) 9.1% (2025) [34/38countries] Self-employed, male (% of male employment) 10.3% (2025) [34/38countries] Self-employed, female (% of female employment) 7.5% (2025) [33/38countries] % of those who think that employees have more job security than the self-employed 64.1% (2005) [5/24countries] % of those who think that being an employee interferes more with family life than self-employment 32.7% (2005) [8/24countries] % of those who prefer being an employee to being self-employed 59.1% (1997) [8/20countries] Non-regular employment> Japan Part-time employment - total 22.2% (2025) [4/37countries] Part-time employment - male 11.6% (2025) [6/37countries] Part-time employment - female 34.7% (2025) [3/37countries] Temporary employment - male as % of dependent employment 10.7% (2025) [18/34countries] Temporary employment - female as % of dependent employment 18.4% (2025) [5/34countries] Temporary employment - 15-24 years as % of dependent employment 14.5% (2025) [28/33countries] % of those willing to accept temporary employment to avoid unemployment 34.0% (2005) [23/24countries] Side business> Japan % of those who do any work for additional income in addition to their main job 5.8% (2005) [24/24countries] Recruitment and job change> Japan % of those who think that it would be easy to find a job 5.2% (1997) [20/20countries] % of those who turn to family members or close friends first to help them if they needed to find a job 32.6% (2017) [11/21countries] % of those who turn to private companies first to help them if they needed to find a job 14.0% (2017) [9/21countries] % of those who turn to public services first to help them if they needed to find a job 43.1% (2017) [1/21countries] % of those who would turn down another job that offered quite a bit more pay in order to stay with the current organization 41.4% (1997) [2/20countries] % of those who would change their present type of work for something different if given the chance 28.4% (2015) [21/27countries] % of those who think that it is likely that they will try to find a job with another firm or organization within the next 12 months 14.2% (2005) [24/24countries] % of those who have given up good job opportunities for the benefit of their family life 41.1% (2015) [8/27countries] % of the men who have given up good job opportunities for the benefit of their family life 31.0% (2015) [16/27countries] % of the women who have given up good job opportunities for the benefit of their family life 50.7% (2015) [5/27countries] % of those who have remained in a job that was not satisfying for you for the benefit of your family life 55.8% (2015) [2/27countries] % of the men who have remained in a job that was not satisfying for you for the benefit of your family life 57.9% (2015) [2/27countries] % of the women who have remained in a job that was not satisfying for you for the benefit of your family life 53.8% (2015) [4/27countries] Work preference> Japan % of those who think that job security is very important in a job 36.5% (2015) [26/27countries] % of those who think that high income is very important in a job 20.5% (2015) [15/27countries] % of those who think that good opportunities for advancement is very important in a job 5.3% (2015) [27/27countries] % of those who think that being interesting is very important in a job 21.7% (2015) [27/27countries] % of those who think that working independently is very important in a job 5.0% (2015) [27/27countries] % of those who think that helping other people is very important in a job 11.2% (2015) [27/27countries] % of those who think that being useful to society is very important in a job 15.5% (2015) [27/27countries] % of those who think that deciding times or days of work is very important in a job 11.4% (2015) [26/27countries] % of those who think that it is important for a job to involve personal contact with other people 13.2% (2015) [27/27countries] % of those who think that their job is secure 60.6% (2005) [17/24countries] % of those who think that their job gives high income 23.6% (2005) [13/24countries] % of those who think that their job gives high opportunities for advancement 9.8% (2005) [24/24countries] % of those who think that their job is interesting 58.6% (2005) [21/24countries] % of those who think that they can work independently 39.9% (2005) [24/24countries] % of those who think that they can help other people in their job 51.7% (2005) [24/24countries] % of those who think that their job is useful to society 61.2% (2005) [22/24countries] % of those who think that their job gives personal contact with other people 80.4% (2015) [24/27countries] % of those who think that their job gives a chance to improve their skills 60.0% (2005) [17/22countries] Unemployment> Japan Unemployment rate: 15 years or over, male and female 2.5% (2025) [38/38countries] Unemployment rate: 15 years or over, male 2.6% (2025) [36/38countries] Unemployment rate: 15 years or over, female 2.3% (2025) [38/38countries] Unemployment rate: 20-24 years old, male and female 3.9% (2025) [38/38countries] Long-term (1 year and over) unemployment rate: all ages, male and female 30.5% (2024) [12/36countries] Long-term (1 year and over) unemployment rate: all ages, male 36.4% (2024) [7/36countries] Long-term (1 year and over) unemployment rate: all ages, female 22.7% (2024) [19/36countries] % of those who worry about the possibility of losing your job a great deal or to some extent 20.8% (2005) [12/24countries] % of those willing to move within the country not to lose job 14.6% (2015) [23/27countries] % of those willing to move to a different country not to lose job 10.5% (2015) [27/27countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing a decent standard of living for the unemployed 59.9% (2019) [13/20countries] % of those who would like to see more government spending in unemployment benefits 21.6% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who think that the government is successful in the policy against unemployment 8.9% (2006) [21/25countries] Labor policy> Japan Public expenditure for active labor policy, % of GDP 0.15% (2019) [31/38countries] Working time> Japan Average annual hours actually worked per worker 1,598 (2025) [22/36countries] Time spent for paid work or study (men and women, minutes per day per person, including commuting time) 368 (Latest year) [1/30countries] Time spent for paid work or study (men, minutes per day per person, including commuting time) 442 (Latest year) [2/30countries] Time spent for paid work or study (women, minutes per day per person, including commuting time) 292 (Latest year) [2/30countries] Time spent for commuting (men and women, minutes per day per person) 40 (Latest year) [2/30countries] Time spent for commuting (men, minutes per day per person) 48 (Latest year) [4/30countries] Time spent for commuting (women, minutes per day per person) 32 (Latest year) [2/30countries] % of those who are in favour of reducing the working week to create more jobs 45.5% (2016) [12/25countries] % of those willing to accept longer commuting to avoid unemployment 31.5% (2005) [23/24countries] % of those who prefer to work longer hours and earn more money 25.5% (2005) [12/22countries] % of those who prefer to work the same number of hours and earn the same money 59.6% (2005) [18/24countries] % of those who prefer to work fewer hours and earn less money 14.9% (2005) [3/24countries] % of those who would like to have more time in a job 8.4% (1997) [20/20countries] % of those who would like to have less time in a job 32.7% (1997) [7/20countries] % of those who always/ often work at home during usual working hours 10.8% (2015) [20/26countries] % of those who always/ often work on weekends 46.8% (2015) [1/26countries] % of those who have a regular schedule or shift 87.7% (2015) [1/27countries] % of those who cannot decide themselves when to start/ finish work 64.2% (2015) [2/27countries] % of those who can decide themselves when to start/ finish work 35.8% (2015) [26/27countries] % of those who can decide themselves how to organize work 18.0% (2015) [26/27countries] % of those who enjoy 5 or less days of leave 66.2% (2007) [3/24countries] % of those who enjoy more than 20 days of leave 6.9% (2007) [23/24countries] % of those who can take an hour or two off during working hours 61.7% (2005) [16/24countries] Wages> Japan Minimum relative to average (mean) wages of full-time workers 40.4% (2025) [20/28countries] Minimum relative to median wages of full-time workers 46.4% (2025) [25/28countries] Gender wage gap at median 20.7% (2024) [2/28countries] % of those who think that men have more opportunities of getting high-paying jobs 72.8% (2019) [4/21countries] % of those who think that women have more opportunities of getting high-paying jobs 1.2% (2019) [17/21countries] % of those who think that men and women have about the same opportunities of getting high-paying jobs 26.1% (2019) [17/21countries] % of those who are optimistic about the availability of well-paying jobs 33.6% (2019) [15/21countries] % of those who think their pay is less than is just 62.6% (1999) [13/20countries] % of those willing to accept lower pay to avoid unemployment 28.7% (2005) [22/24countries] % of those who think how much responsibility goes with the job is very important in deciding pay 70.6% (2019) [16/19countries] % of those who think that whether the job requires supervising others is important in deciding pay 71.8% (1999) [20/20countries] % of those who think that the number of years spent in education and training is very important in deciding pay 22.7% (2019) [19/19countries] % of those who think how long the person has been with the firm is important in deciding pay 59.3% (1997) [17/18countries] % of those who think what is needed to support a family is very important in deciding pay 33.4% (1999) [20/21countries] % of those who think whether the person has children to support is very important in deciding pay 25.8% (2019) [12/19countries] % of those who think how well he or she does the job is very important in deciding pay 74.5% (2019) [17/19countries] % of those who think how hard he or she works at the job is very important in deciding pay 68.4% (1999) [17/21countries] % of those who agree that private companies are responsible for reducing the differences in pay 45.0% (2019) [20/20countries] Work motivation> Japan % of those who often arrive at work too tired to function well because of the household work 10.0% (2022) [16/23countries] % of those who often find it difficult to concentrate at work because of family responsibilities 7.8% (2022) [21/23countries] Degree of job satisfaction 3.93 (2002) [25/27countries] % of those satisfied with job (5 choices) 47.2% (2023) [27/28countries] % of those who always/ often find work stressful 35.4% (2005) [13/24countries] % of those who agree to the idea that a job is just a way of earning money 44.2% (2015) [7/27countries] % of those who agree to the idea that they would enjoy having a paid job even if they did not need the money 60.9% (2015) [14/27countries] % of those who would work hard to complete their daily tasks, even if they are slightly sick or when there is another legitimate reason for taking a break 79.2% (2009) [12/12countries] % of those who would perform to the best of their ability even on a task that they do not like 76.9% (2009) [12/12countries] % of those who would work hard to maintain their performance on a task, even if the task takes a long time to start producing any results 85.1% (2009) [8/12countries] % of men who prefer no paid job at all 6.3% (2015) [16/27countries] % of women who prefer no paid job at all 10.2% (2015) [11/27countries] Skills> Japan % of those who can make much use of their past work experience and /or job skills in their present job 43.7% (2005) [24/24countries] % of those who have got training to improve job skills over the past 12 months 35.3% (2005) [20/24countries] % of those willing to accept a job that requires new skills to avoid unemployment 58.1% (2005) [24/24countries] Workplace> Japan % of those who describe relations at their workplace between workmates/colleagues as good 81.5% (1997) [15/20countries] % of those who often share work-related information with co-workers 55.0% (2023) [13/28countries] % of those who are willing to work harder than they have to in order to help their firm/ organization succeed 61.4% (2005) [14/24countries] % of those who are proud to be working for the current firm or organization 57.2% (1997) [14/20countries] % of those who have been discriminated against with regard to work 11.6% (2015) [25/27countries] % of the men who have been discriminated against with regard to work 10.6% (2015) [26/27countries] % of the women who have been discriminated against with regard to work 12.8% (2015) [23/27countries] % of those who have been harassed by their superiors or co-workers at their job 25.3% (2015) [3/27countries] % of the men who have been harassed by their superiors or co-workers at their job 20.5% (2015) [4/27countries] % of the women who have been harassed by their superiors or co-workers at their job 30.7% (2015) [3/27countries] Industrial relations> Japan Trade union participation (% of total employment) 16.2% (2024) [16/38countries] % of those who belong to a trade union, business, or professional association 13.2% (2014) [18/26countries] Workers involved in strikes and lockouts by economic activity (thousands) 8.41 (2023) [16/28countries] % of those who think that workers need strong trade unions to protect their interests 56.0% (2015) [22/27countries] % of those who think that strong trade unions are bad for the economy of their country 13.3% (2015) [21/27countries] % of those who think that trade unions have the most influence on the actions of the government 1.8% (2016) [25/25countries] % of those who think that trade unions are very important for the job security of employees 74.5% (2005) [3/22countries] % of those who think that the working conditions of employees would be much worse without trade unions 59.5% (2005) [16/22countries] % of those who think that there is strong conflicts between management and workers 43.1% (2019) [6/20countries] % of those who describe relations at their workplace between management and employees as good 67.1% (1997) [10/18countries] Work accident> Japan % of those who always/ often have to do hard physical work 18.8% (2005) [23/24countries] % of those who always/ often work in dangerous conditions 11.8% (2005) [13/24countries] Housework> Japan Time spent for routine housework (men and women, minutes per day per person) 78 (Latest year) [29/30countries] Time spent for routine housework (men, minutes per day per person) 19 (Latest year) [30/30countries] Time spent for routine housework (women, minutes per day per person) 139 (Latest year) [19/30countries] Time spent for shopping (men and women, minutes per day per person) 24 (Latest year) [12/30countries] Time spent for shopping (men, minutes per day per person) 17 (Latest year) [15/30countries] Time spent for shopping (women, minutes per day per person) 32 (Latest year) [5/30countries] Time spent for child care (men and women, minutes per day per person) 20 (Latest year) [21/25countries] Time spent for child care (men, minutes per day per person) 9 (Latest year) [23/25countries] Time spent for child care (women, minutes per day per person) 32 (Latest year) [14/25countries] Time spent for adult care (men and women, minutes per day per person) 2 (Latest year) [6/18countries] Time spent for adult care (men, minutes per day per person) 1 (Latest year) [9/18countries] Time spent for adult care (women, minutes per day per person) 4 (Latest year) [4/18countries] % of those who would like to have more time doing household work 12.1% (1997) [16/18countries] % of those who would like to have less time doing household work 16.8% (1997) [14/18countries] % of men who think that they do less than their fair share of the household work 59.8% (2022) [1/24countries] % of women who think that they do more than their fair share of the household work 65.8% (2022) [3/24countries] % of women who say that they prepare meals 85.8% (2022) [1/24countries] % of those who say that both partners prepare meals 9.2% (2022) [24/24countries] % of women who say that they do the laundry of the family 78.2% (2022) [14/24countries] % of those who say that both partners do the laundry of the family 10.6% (2022) [21/24countries] % of women who say that they clean the house 72.5% (2022) [4/24countries] % of those who say that both partners clean the house 20.7% (2022) [22/24countries] % of those who think that men have more influence over how to raise children 4.5% (2019) [13/21countries] % of those who think that women have more influence over how to raise children 37.4% (2019) [15/21countries] % of those who think that men and women have about the same influence over how to raise children 58.1% (2019) [10/21countries] % of men who say that they mostly decide how to raise children 6.5% (2012) [5/31countries] % of women who say that they mostly decide how to raise children 32.2% (2012) [18/31countries] % of those who says that both partners decide how to raise children together 40.5% (2012) [26/30countries] % of those who think private childcare providers should primarily provide childcare for children under school age 15.7% (2022) [7/24countries] % of those who think family members should primarily provide childcare for children under school age 73.0% (2022) [3/24countries] % of those who think family members should primarily provide help in everyday life for elderly people 52.6% (2022) [8/24countries] % of those who think private providers should primarily provide help in everyday life for elderly people 16.8% (2022) [3/24countries] % of those who think that the elderly people themselves or their family should primarily cover the costs of the help to elderly people 42.1% (2022) [4/24countries] % of women who say that they care for sick family members 70.7% (2022) [1/24countries] % of those who say that both partners care for sick family members 28.6% (2022) [24/24countries] % of those who think that men have more influence over household finances 15.8% (2019) [21/21countries] % of those who think that women have more influence over household finances 29.7% (2019) [1/21countries] % of those who think that men and women have about the same influence over household finances 54.5% (2019) [13/21countries] % of women who say that they manage all the money of their family 42.5% (2022) [1/24countries] % of men who say that they manage all the money of their family 16.0% (2022) [1/24countries] % of those who say that both pool and manage all the money of their family 13.5% (2022) [24/24countries] % of those who say that both pool and manage part of the money of their family 12.8% (2022) [19/24countries] % of those who say that each partner manages their own money 12.4% (2022) [14/24countries] % of women who say that they shop for groceries 66.2% (2022) [1/24countries] % of men who say that they shop for groceries 10.0% (2022) [23/24countries] % of those who say that both partners shop for groceries 29.1% (2022) [24/24countries] % of men who say that they make small repairs in the household 72.8% (2002) [22/27countries] % of those who say that both partners make small repairs in the household 13.8% (2002) [11/27countries] % of men who say that they choose weekend activities 13.6% (2012) [5/31countries] % of women who say that they choose weekend activities 20.0% (2012) [4/31countries] % of those who say that both partners choose weekend activities together 22.0% (2012) [29/31countries] % of women who say that they plan and organize social and family activities 24.2% (2022) [2/24countries] % of men who say that they plan and organize social and family activities 45.3% (2022) [16/24countries] % of those who say that both partners plan and organize social and family activities 45.7% (2022) [19/24countries] % of those who often come home from work too tired to do the chores 44.9% (2022) [17/23countries] % of those who often work too long to fulfil family responsibilities 30.7% (2022) [16/23countries] % of those who always/ often feel that job interfere with family life 9.9% (2005) [23/24countries] % of those who always/ often feel that family life interfere with job 4.3% (2005) [15/24countries] Voluntary activities> Japan % of those who take part in voluntary work once a month or more 9.2% (2023) [24/28countries] % of those who never take part in voluntary work 73.0% (2023) [10/28countries] % of those who take part in activities of charitable or religious organisations that do voluntary work once a month or more 2.8% (2017) [21/21countries] % of those who never take part in activities of charitable or religious organisations that do voluntary work 89.3% (2017) [1/21countries] % of those who think that civic and voluntary organisations have the most influence on the actions of the government 1.4% (2016) [4/23countries]