Top 10 Countries with the Largest Labour Forces in 2024-25: China Leads; Where Are India and the US Ranked?

In the list of top 10 countries with the largest labour forces in 2024-25, China and India stand out as the leaders, with China taking the top spot. China has approximately 774 million people employed, closely followed by India with an estimated 608 million workers. These two Asian giants together make up over 40% of the global labour force. Other Asian economies such as Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Japan also make it to the top ten. On the other hand, high-income regions like North America and the European Union have smaller but more productive labour forces, with 197 million and 221 million workers, respectively.
The United States secures the third position in the rankings, with a labour force of around 174 million individuals. Meanwhile, African countries are also witnessing a steady growth in their workforce, with Nigeria ranking sixth and boasting an estimated 113 million workers. Overall, the list reflects the significant presence of Asian countries in the global labour force landscape, with China and India leading the way and other nations like the US and Nigeria also making their mark.