Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Middle East & North Africa

Female labor force participation rate in Middle East & North Africa in 2025 — 19.73%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 4.28 pp.

2025 19.73% −0.01 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 21.23%2016
Period minimum 15.45%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Middle East & North Africa, 1990–2025141618202219901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 15.45%1991: 16.28%1992: 16.52%1993: 16.6%1994: 16.95%1995: 16.25%1996: 16.55%1997: 16.9%1998: 17.03%1999: 17.55%2000: 17.85%2001: 17.94%2002: 17.68%2003: 18.18%2004: 18.68%2005: 19.14%2006: 19.38%2007: 19.69%2008: 19.32%2009: 19.94%2010: 20.25%2011: 20.06%2012: 20.31%2013: 20.34%2014: 20.52%2015: 21.09%2016: 21.23%2017: 20.78%2018: 19.98%2019: 20.05%2020: 19.26%2021: 19.59%2022: 19.2%2023: 19.78%2024: 19.74%2025: 19.73%
Change over the period: +4.28 pp Annual average: 0.12 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Middle East & North Africa

Middle East & North Africa 19.73%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Middle East & North Africa, by year Middle East & North Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 19.73 −0.01 pp
2024 19.74 −0.04 pp
2023 19.78 +0.58 pp
2022 19.2 −0.38 pp
2021 19.59 +0.33 pp
2020 19.26 −0.79 pp
2019 20.05 +0.07 pp
2018 19.98 −0.81 pp
2017 20.78 −0.44 pp
2016 21.23 +0.14 pp
2015 21.09 +0.56 pp
2014 20.52 +0.18 pp
2013 20.34 +0.03 pp
2012 20.31 +0.25 pp
2011 20.06 −0.18 pp
2010 20.25 +0.3 pp
2009 19.94 +0.63 pp
2008 19.32 −0.37 pp
2007 19.69 +0.31 pp
2006 19.38 +0.24 pp
2005 19.14 +0.46 pp
2004 18.68 +0.5 pp
2003 18.18 +0.5 pp
2002 17.68 −0.25 pp
2001 17.94 +0.09 pp
2000 17.85 +0.29 pp
1999 17.55 +0.53 pp
1998 17.03 +0.13 pp
1997 16.9 +0.35 pp
1996 16.55 +0.3 pp
1995 16.25 −0.69 pp
1994 16.95 +0.35 pp
1993 16.6 +0.08 pp
1992 16.52 +0.25 pp
1991 16.28 +0.83 pp
1990 15.45

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.