Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Ethiopia

Female labor force participation rate in Ethiopia in 2025 — 58.46%. Ranked 57 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 16.46 pp.

2025 58.46% +0.07 pp vs 2024
World rank 57of 182
Period maximum 74.91%1990
Period minimum 57.56%2021

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Ethiopia, 1990–2025556065707519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 74.91%1991: 74.9%1992: 74.88%1993: 74.85%1994: 74.81%1995: 74.77%1996: 74.74%1997: 74.69%1998: 74.65%1999: 74.61%2000: 74.58%2001: 74.55%2002: 74.55%2003: 74.55%2004: 74.56%2005: 74.57%2006: 74.53%2007: 74.48%2008: 74.44%2009: 74.4%2010: 74.36%2011: 74.32%2012: 74.29%2013: 74.25%2014: 72.22%2015: 70.19%2016: 68.15%2017: 66.11%2018: 64.06%2019: 62%2020: 59.3%2021: 57.56%2022: 58%2023: 58.14%2024: 58.39%2025: 58.46%
Change over the period: −16.46 pp Annual average: -0.47 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Ethiopia 58.46%
World 48.94%
Eastern Africa computed 65.83%
Low-income countries computed 54.64%
Female labor force participation rate — Ethiopia, by year Ethiopia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 58.46 +0.07 pp
2024 58.39 +0.25 pp
2023 58.14 +0.14 pp
2022 58 +0.45 pp
2021 57.56 −1.74 pp
2020 59.3 −2.7 pp
2019 62 −2.06 pp
2018 64.06 −2.05 pp
2017 66.11 −2.04 pp
2016 68.15 −2.04 pp
2015 70.19 −2.03 pp
2014 72.22 −2.03 pp
2013 74.25 −0.03 pp
2012 74.29 −0.04 pp
2011 74.32 −0.04 pp
2010 74.36 −0.04 pp
2009 74.4 −0.04 pp
2008 74.44 −0.04 pp
2007 74.48 −0.04 pp
2006 74.53 −0.05 pp
2005 74.57 +0.01 pp
2004 74.56 +0.01 pp
2003 74.55 +0 pp
2002 74.55 −0.01 pp
2001 74.55 −0.02 pp
2000 74.58 −0.03 pp
1999 74.61 −0.04 pp
1998 74.65 −0.05 pp
1997 74.69 −0.04 pp
1996 74.74 −0.04 pp
1995 74.77 −0.04 pp
1994 74.81 −0.04 pp
1993 74.85 −0.04 pp
1992 74.88 −0.02 pp
1991 74.9 −0.01 pp
1990 74.91

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.