The effect of adding different amounts of Y on the microstructure, mechanical properties, texture and work hardening behavior of the extruded Mg-6Zn-0.5Zr-xY alloys (x = 0, 1, 2, 3 wt.%) was investigated. According to the results, the microstructure of all alloys is composed of α-Mg grains and Mg₇Zn₃ particles. By adding Y, in addition to grain refinement, Mg₂₄Y₅ and Mg₃Y₂Zn₃ particles are formed in the microstructure. Among the alloys studied, the ZK60-3Y alloy has the highest strengths, as the yield stress and ultimate tensile strength of 318 and 366 MPa, respectively, were obtained for that alloy. This is due to the finer grains and higher volume fraction of the particles in the ZK60-3Y alloy. Meanwhile, reducing the grain size by Y addition affects the work hardening behavior; Y addition reduces the saturation stress, hardening capacity, and work hardening exponent by increasing the dynamic recovery; i.e., the more Y is added, the greater is the drop in the work hardening parameters. The effects of Y addition on work hardening behavior and dynamic recovery were investigated by examining microstructural developments, the volume fraction of particles and texture evaluation. The results of the texture evaluations showed that the addition of Y changes the texture component and intensity of the basal planes and can cause work hardening loss by activating slip on the non-basal planes.