Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Bangladesh

Female labor force participation rate in Bangladesh in 2025 — 38.65%. Ranked 152 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 14.44 pp.

2025 38.65% −0.06 pp vs 2024
World rank 152of 182
Period maximum 43.69%2022
Period minimum 24.21%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Bangladesh, 1990–202520253035404519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 24.21%1991: 24.56%1992: 24.98%1993: 25.43%1994: 25.93%1995: 26.47%1996: 27.02%1997: 27.53%1998: 27.97%1999: 28.35%2000: 28.67%2001: 28.88%2002: 28.98%2003: 29.06%2004: 29.12%2005: 29.19%2006: 29.24%2007: 30.8%2008: 32.4%2009: 34.04%2010: 35.72%2011: 35.02%2012: 34.32%2013: 33.62%2014: 33.57%2015: 33.53%2016: 33.5%2017: 36.68%2018: 38.06%2019: 39.33%2020: 40.32%2021: 42.18%2022: 43.69%2023: 41.87%2024: 38.71%2025: 38.65%
Change over the period: +14.44 pp Annual average: 0.41 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Bangladesh 38.65%
World 48.94%
South Asia 32.98%
Southern Asia computed 30.46%
Female labor force participation rate — Bangladesh, by year Bangladesh All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 38.65 −0.06 pp
2024 38.71 −3.17 pp
2023 41.87 −1.81 pp
2022 43.69 +1.51 pp
2021 42.18 +1.86 pp
2020 40.32 +0.99 pp
2019 39.33 +1.27 pp
2018 38.06 +1.38 pp
2017 36.68 +3.18 pp
2016 33.5 −0.03 pp
2015 33.53 −0.04 pp
2014 33.57 −0.05 pp
2013 33.62 −0.7 pp
2012 34.32 −0.7 pp
2011 35.02 −0.7 pp
2010 35.72 +1.68 pp
2009 34.04 +1.64 pp
2008 32.4 +1.6 pp
2007 30.8 +1.56 pp
2006 29.24 +0.05 pp
2005 29.19 +0.07 pp
2004 29.12 +0.07 pp
2003 29.06 +0.07 pp
2002 28.98 +0.1 pp
2001 28.88 +0.21 pp
2000 28.67 +0.33 pp
1999 28.35 +0.38 pp
1998 27.97 +0.44 pp
1997 27.53 +0.51 pp
1996 27.02 +0.55 pp
1995 26.47 +0.54 pp
1994 25.93 +0.5 pp
1993 25.43 +0.46 pp
1992 24.98 +0.41 pp
1991 24.56 +0.36 pp
1990 24.21

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.