Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Costa Rica

Female labor force participation rate in Costa Rica in 2025 — 46.02%. Ranked 134 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 13.15 pp.

2025 46.02% +0.04 pp vs 2024
World rank 134of 182
Period maximum 52.73%2019
Period minimum 32.6%1992

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Costa Rica, 1990–20253040506019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 32.87%1991: 33.33%1992: 32.6%1993: 33.52%1994: 34.66%1995: 35.58%1996: 34.07%1997: 37.12%1998: 39.44%1999: 39.94%2000: 38.64%2001: 41.56%2002: 41.14%2003: 41.45%2004: 39.83%2005: 43.68%2006: 43.31%2007: 44.3%2008: 44.44%2009: 44.83%2010: 44.11%2011: 46.48%2012: 51.44%2013: 51.25%2014: 51.34%2015: 50.06%2016: 46.02%2017: 45.91%2018: 48.66%2019: 52.73%2020: 48.64%2021: 50.25%2022: 50.28%2023: 44.09%2024: 45.98%2025: 46.02%
Change over the period: +13.15 pp Annual average: 0.38 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Costa Rica 46.02%
World 48.94%
Central America computed 46.4%
Female labor force participation rate — Costa Rica, by year Costa Rica All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 46.02 +0.04 pp
2024 45.98 +1.89 pp
2023 44.09 −6.2 pp
2022 50.28 +0.03 pp
2021 50.25 +1.61 pp
2020 48.64 −4.08 pp
2019 52.73 +4.07 pp
2018 48.66 +2.75 pp
2017 45.91 −0.11 pp
2016 46.02 −4.04 pp
2015 50.06 −1.28 pp
2014 51.34 +0.09 pp
2013 51.25 −0.19 pp
2012 51.44 +4.96 pp
2011 46.48 +2.37 pp
2010 44.11 −0.71 pp
2009 44.83 +0.38 pp
2008 44.44 +0.14 pp
2007 44.3 +0.99 pp
2006 43.31 −0.37 pp
2005 43.68 +3.85 pp
2004 39.83 −1.62 pp
2003 41.45 +0.31 pp
2002 41.14 −0.42 pp
2001 41.56 +2.92 pp
2000 38.64 −1.29 pp
1999 39.94 +0.49 pp
1998 39.44 +2.32 pp
1997 37.12 +3.05 pp
1996 34.07 −1.51 pp
1995 35.58 +0.91 pp
1994 34.66 +1.14 pp
1993 33.52 +0.92 pp
1992 32.6 −0.73 pp
1991 33.33 +0.46 pp
1990 32.87

Central America, 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.