Trade union membership rates vary wildly across the world – from 0% in countries where organised labour is outlawed to over 90% in one particular Nordic nation. High rates of membership typically bring better pay, benefits, and working conditions, not to mention less income inequality. Studies also show that trade unions are crucial in closing gender and racial pay gaps.

However, critics argue that organised labour increases costs, decreases productivity and competitiveness, and can cause widespread market disruption through strikes and lockouts.

Read on to discover the union membership rates for 30 selected countries, from the lowest to the highest, according to the most recent reliable data. All dollar amounts in US dollars.