Labor force: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in formal and economic contexts to describe the segment of the population that is employed or actively seeking employment.

• The government released a report on the current state of the labor force.
• The labor force participation rate has increased over the past year.

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to the group of people engaged in or available for work, especially within specific industries or companies.

• The company plans to expand its workforce by hiring 200 more employees.
• Diversity in the workforce leads to more innovative solutions.

A more general term that can be used interchangeably with 'labor force' but is less common. It implies the total number of people who work in a given area or industry.

• The work population in the region has seen a significant decline due to economic downturn.
• Investments in education have increased the skills of the work population.

Informal and colloquial term that refers to individuals who are currently employed. It is often used to emphasize the human aspect rather than statistical or economic perspectives.

• The new policy aims to protect the rights of working people.
• Working people are struggling with the rising cost of healthcare.