Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Malaysia

Female labor force participation rate in Malaysia in 2025 — 51.64%. Ranked 104 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 15.81 pp.

2025 51.64% +0.03 pp vs 2024
World rank 104of 182
Period maximum 51.78%2019
Period minimum 35.83%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Malaysia, 1990–2025354045505519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 35.83%1991: 35.94%1992: 36.42%1993: 36.91%1994: 37.4%1995: 37.91%1996: 38.44%1997: 38.97%1998: 39.51%1999: 40.06%2000: 40.59%2001: 41.05%2002: 41.47%2003: 41.87%2004: 42.26%2005: 42.64%2006: 43.03%2007: 43.44%2008: 43.87%2009: 44.31%2010: 44.79%2011: 45.3%2012: 47.03%2013: 48.76%2014: 50.48%2015: 50.83%2016: 50.99%2017: 51.29%2018: 51.63%2019: 51.78%2020: 51.37%2021: 51.37%2022: 51.6%2023: 51.59%2024: 51.62%2025: 51.64%
Change over the period: +15.81 pp Annual average: 0.45 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Malaysia 51.64%
World 48.94%
South-Eastern Asia computed 55.55%
Female labor force participation rate — Malaysia, by year Malaysia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 51.64 +0.03 pp
2024 51.62 +0.02 pp
2023 51.59 −0.01 pp
2022 51.6 +0.23 pp
2021 51.37 +0 pp
2020 51.37 −0.41 pp
2019 51.78 +0.16 pp
2018 51.63 +0.34 pp
2017 51.29 +0.3 pp
2016 50.99 +0.16 pp
2015 50.83 +0.35 pp
2014 50.48 +1.72 pp
2013 48.76 +1.73 pp
2012 47.03 +1.73 pp
2011 45.3 +0.5 pp
2010 44.79 +0.48 pp
2009 44.31 +0.44 pp
2008 43.87 +0.43 pp
2007 43.44 +0.41 pp
2006 43.03 +0.39 pp
2005 42.64 +0.38 pp
2004 42.26 +0.39 pp
2003 41.87 +0.4 pp
2002 41.47 +0.42 pp
2001 41.05 +0.46 pp
2000 40.59 +0.53 pp
1999 40.06 +0.56 pp
1998 39.51 +0.53 pp
1997 38.97 +0.53 pp
1996 38.44 +0.53 pp
1995 37.91 +0.51 pp
1994 37.4 +0.49 pp
1993 36.91 +0.49 pp
1992 36.42 +0.48 pp
1991 35.94 +0.11 pp
1990 35.83

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.