Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Lesotho

Female labor force participation rate in Lesotho in 2025 — 48.09%. Ranked 123 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 18.56 pp.

2025 48.09% −0.37 pp vs 2024
World rank 123of 182
Period maximum 67.39%1999
Period minimum 48.09%2025

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Lesotho, 1990–202545505560657019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 66.65%1991: 66.66%1992: 66.69%1993: 66.74%1994: 66.81%1995: 66.9%1996: 66.99%1997: 67.1%1998: 67.24%1999: 67.39%2000: 66.71%2001: 66.02%2002: 65.33%2003: 64.62%2004: 63.91%2005: 63.2%2006: 62.47%2007: 61.75%2008: 61.02%2009: 60.28%2010: 59.54%2011: 58.79%2012: 58.04%2013: 57.28%2014: 55.91%2015: 54.53%2016: 53.15%2017: 51.75%2018: 50.36%2019: 48.96%2020: 48.49%2021: 48.25%2022: 48.44%2023: 48.43%2024: 48.46%2025: 48.09%
Change over the period: −18.56 pp Annual average: -0.53 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Lesotho 48.09%
World 48.94%
Southern Africa computed 50.49%
Female labor force participation rate — Lesotho, by year Lesotho All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 48.09 −0.37 pp
2024 48.46 +0.03 pp
2023 48.43 −0.02 pp
2022 48.44 +0.19 pp
2021 48.25 −0.24 pp
2020 48.49 −0.47 pp
2019 48.96 −1.4 pp
2018 50.36 −1.4 pp
2017 51.75 −1.39 pp
2016 53.15 −1.39 pp
2015 54.53 −1.38 pp
2014 55.91 −1.37 pp
2013 57.28 −0.76 pp
2012 58.04 −0.75 pp
2011 58.79 −0.75 pp
2010 59.54 −0.74 pp
2009 60.28 −0.74 pp
2008 61.02 −0.73 pp
2007 61.75 −0.73 pp
2006 62.47 −0.72 pp
2005 63.2 −0.71 pp
2004 63.91 −0.71 pp
2003 64.62 −0.7 pp
2002 65.33 −0.7 pp
2001 66.02 −0.69 pp
2000 66.71 −0.68 pp
1999 67.39 +0.15 pp
1998 67.24 +0.14 pp
1997 67.1 +0.11 pp
1996 66.99 +0.09 pp
1995 66.9 +0.09 pp
1994 66.81 +0.07 pp
1993 66.74 +0.05 pp
1992 66.69 +0.03 pp
1991 66.66 +0.01 pp
1990 66.65

Southern Africa, 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.