Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Low-income countries

Female labor force participation rate in low-income countries in 2025 — 54.64%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 6.16 pp.

2025 54.64% −0.09 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 61.01%1992
Period minimum 52.23%2022

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Low-income countries, 1990–20255052.55557.56062.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 60.8%1991: 60.95%1992: 61.01%1993: 60.86%1994: 60.87%1995: 61%1996: 60.91%1997: 60.74%1998: 60.63%1999: 60.67%2000: 60.68%2001: 60.57%2002: 60.37%2003: 60.16%2004: 59.97%2005: 59.75%2006: 59.29%2007: 58.88%2008: 58.54%2009: 58.28%2010: 58.04%2011: 58.32%2012: 57.06%2013: 57.86%2014: 56.92%2015: 56.29%2016: 55.6%2017: 54.87%2018: 54.32%2019: 53.72%2020: 52.8%2021: 52.44%2022: 52.23%2023: 55.03%2024: 54.73%2025: 54.64%
Change over the period: −6.16 pp Annual average: -0.18 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Low-income countries

Low-income countries 54.64%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Low-income countries, by year Low-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 54.64 −0.09 pp
2024 54.73 −0.31 pp
2023 55.03 +2.81 pp
2022 52.23 −0.22 pp
2021 52.44 −0.36 pp
2020 52.8 −0.92 pp
2019 53.72 −0.6 pp
2018 54.32 −0.55 pp
2017 54.87 −0.73 pp
2016 55.6 −0.69 pp
2015 56.29 −0.63 pp
2014 56.92 −0.94 pp
2013 57.86 +0.8 pp
2012 57.06 −1.26 pp
2011 58.32 +0.28 pp
2010 58.04 −0.24 pp
2009 58.28 −0.26 pp
2008 58.54 −0.35 pp
2007 58.88 −0.41 pp
2006 59.29 −0.45 pp
2005 59.75 −0.22 pp
2004 59.97 −0.19 pp
2003 60.16 −0.21 pp
2002 60.37 −0.2 pp
2001 60.57 −0.1 pp
2000 60.68 +0 pp
1999 60.67 +0.05 pp
1998 60.63 −0.12 pp
1997 60.74 −0.17 pp
1996 60.91 −0.09 pp
1995 61 +0.13 pp
1994 60.87 +0 pp
1993 60.86 −0.15 pp
1992 61.01 +0.07 pp
1991 60.95 +0.15 pp
1990 60.8

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.