ANKARA

Employment and labor force participation rates in OECD countries remained broadly steady in the third quarter of 2024, maintaining record levels, according to data released on Thursday.

The employment rate stood at 70.3%, while the labor force participation rate reached 74% in July-September, data from the Paris-based organization showed.

These figures marked the highest levels seen since tracking began.

Among OECD countries, two-thirds had employment rates above the average, although some nations, including Italy and Türkiye, fell below.

Türkiye reported the lowest employment rate at 55.2%, while Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Iceland exceeded 80%.

Labor force participation rates for people age 15-64 were above the OECD average in most countries, with Türkiye, Mexico, and Italy seeing the lowest levels.

The participation rates for men and women also remained at record highs, though a significant gender gap persists, especially in Türkiye and Mexico.

In November 2024, unemployment across the OECD was stable at 4.9%, continuing a trend of low rates since 2022.