Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Afghanistan

Female labor force participation rate in Afghanistan in 2025 — 5.09%. Ranked 181 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 10.65 pp.

2025 5.09% −0.04 pp vs 2024
World rank 181of 182
Period maximum 21.24%2017
Period minimum 5.09%2025

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Afghanistan, 1990–2025010203019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 15.74%1991: 15.7%1992: 15.62%1993: 15.51%1994: 15.36%1995: 15.19%1996: 15.02%1997: 14.82%1998: 14.63%1999: 14.44%2000: 14.29%2001: 14.2%2002: 14.15%2003: 14.15%2004: 14.21%2005: 14.3%2006: 14.45%2007: 14.67%2008: 14.94%2009: 15.25%2010: 15.57%2011: 15.89%2012: 16.21%2013: 17.14%2014: 18.11%2015: 19.11%2016: 20.16%2017: 21.24%2018: 19.81%2019: 18.3%2020: 16.47%2021: 14.62%2022: 5.16%2023: 5.15%2024: 5.12%2025: 5.09%
Change over the period: −10.65 pp Annual average: -0.3 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Afghanistan

Afghanistan 5.09%
World 48.94%
South Asia 32.98%
Southern Asia computed 30.46%
Low-income countries computed 54.64%
Female labor force participation rate — Afghanistan, by year Afghanistan All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 5.09 −0.04 pp
2024 5.12 −0.02 pp
2023 5.15 −0.01 pp
2022 5.16 −9.46 pp
2021 14.62 −1.86 pp
2020 16.47 −1.82 pp
2019 18.3 −1.51 pp
2018 19.81 −1.44 pp
2017 21.24 +1.08 pp
2016 20.16 +1.04 pp
2015 19.11 +1.01 pp
2014 18.11 +0.97 pp
2013 17.14 +0.93 pp
2012 16.21 +0.31 pp
2011 15.89 +0.32 pp
2010 15.57 +0.32 pp
2009 15.25 +0.3 pp
2008 14.94 +0.27 pp
2007 14.67 +0.22 pp
2006 14.45 +0.15 pp
2005 14.3 +0.1 pp
2004 14.21 +0.05 pp
2003 14.15 +0 pp
2002 14.15 −0.04 pp
2001 14.2 −0.1 pp
2000 14.29 −0.15 pp
1999 14.44 −0.18 pp
1998 14.63 −0.19 pp
1997 14.82 −0.2 pp
1996 15.02 −0.18 pp
1995 15.19 −0.16 pp
1994 15.36 −0.15 pp
1993 15.51 −0.11 pp
1992 15.62 −0.08 pp
1991 15.7 −0.04 pp
1990 15.74

Southern Asia, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The share of women aged 15 and over who belong to the labor force. The spread across countries runs from under 10% to over 80%, and it is one of the strongest dividing lines between socioeconomic models. Historically the rate rose together with falling fertility and wider access to education.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.