Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Belgium

Female labor force participation rate in Belgium in 2025 — 49.78%. Ranked 119 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 13.32 pp.

2025 49.78% −0.19 pp vs 2024
World rank 119of 182
Period maximum 50.03%2022
Period minimum 36.46%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Belgium, 1990–2025354045505519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 36.46%1991: 37.91%1992: 38.76%1993: 39.46%1994: 40.04%1995: 40.42%1996: 40.53%1997: 40.97%1998: 41.54%1999: 43.15%2000: 43.62%2001: 41.79%2002: 42.51%2003: 42.88%2004: 44.19%2005: 45.69%2006: 45.82%2007: 46.59%2008: 46.93%2009: 46.98%2010: 47.77%2011: 47.1%2012: 47.16%2013: 47.8%2014: 48.13%2015: 48.05%2016: 47.81%2017: 47.97%2018: 48.77%2019: 49.1%2020: 48.66%2021: 49.37%2022: 50.03%2023: 49.83%2024: 49.97%2025: 49.78%
Change over the period: +13.32 pp Annual average: 0.38 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Belgium 49.78%
World 48.94%
Western Europe computed 54.64%
High-income countries computed 54.21%
Female labor force participation rate — Belgium, by year Belgium All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 49.78 −0.19 pp
2024 49.97 +0.14 pp
2023 49.83 −0.2 pp
2022 50.03 +0.66 pp
2021 49.37 +0.71 pp
2020 48.66 −0.44 pp
2019 49.1 +0.33 pp
2018 48.77 +0.8 pp
2017 47.97 +0.16 pp
2016 47.81 −0.23 pp
2015 48.05 −0.08 pp
2014 48.13 +0.32 pp
2013 47.8 +0.65 pp
2012 47.16 +0.05 pp
2011 47.1 −0.67 pp
2010 47.77 +0.8 pp
2009 46.98 +0.05 pp
2008 46.93 +0.34 pp
2007 46.59 +0.77 pp
2006 45.82 +0.13 pp
2005 45.69 +1.5 pp
2004 44.19 +1.3 pp
2003 42.88 +0.38 pp
2002 42.51 +0.72 pp
2001 41.79 −1.83 pp
2000 43.62 +0.47 pp
1999 43.15 +1.61 pp
1998 41.54 +0.57 pp
1997 40.97 +0.44 pp
1996 40.53 +0.1 pp
1995 40.42 +0.38 pp
1994 40.04 +0.58 pp
1993 39.46 +0.7 pp
1992 38.76 +0.84 pp
1991 37.91 +1.45 pp
1990 36.46

Western Europe, 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.