Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Nepal

Female labor force participation rate in Nepal in 2025 — 27.47%. Ranked 166 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 6.84 pp.

2025 27.47% +0.09 pp vs 2024
World rank 166of 182
Period maximum 27.63%2018
Period minimum 20.63%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Nepal, 1990–2025202224262819901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 20.63%1991: 20.69%1992: 20.79%1993: 20.85%1994: 20.84%1995: 20.81%1996: 20.79%1997: 20.84%1998: 20.95%1999: 21.11%2000: 21.28%2001: 21.5%2002: 21.72%2003: 21.95%2004: 22.21%2005: 22.5%2006: 22.83%2007: 23.18%2008: 23.61%2009: 24.11%2010: 24.65%2011: 25.22%2012: 25.73%2013: 26.16%2014: 26.58%2015: 27.01%2016: 27.35%2017: 27.53%2018: 27.63%2019: 27.54%2020: 27.21%2021: 27.26%2022: 27.24%2023: 27.3%2024: 27.38%2025: 27.47%
Change over the period: +6.84 pp Annual average: 0.2 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Nepal 27.47%
World 48.94%
South Asia 32.98%
Southern Asia computed 30.46%
Female labor force participation rate — Nepal, by year Nepal All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 27.47 +0.09 pp
2024 27.38 +0.08 pp
2023 27.3 +0.06 pp
2022 27.24 −0.02 pp
2021 27.26 +0.05 pp
2020 27.21 −0.33 pp
2019 27.54 −0.09 pp
2018 27.63 +0.1 pp
2017 27.53 +0.18 pp
2016 27.35 +0.34 pp
2015 27.01 +0.43 pp
2014 26.58 +0.41 pp
2013 26.16 +0.43 pp
2012 25.73 +0.51 pp
2011 25.22 +0.57 pp
2010 24.65 +0.55 pp
2009 24.11 +0.5 pp
2008 23.61 +0.43 pp
2007 23.18 +0.36 pp
2006 22.83 +0.32 pp
2005 22.5 +0.29 pp
2004 22.21 +0.26 pp
2003 21.95 +0.23 pp
2002 21.72 +0.23 pp
2001 21.5 +0.21 pp
2000 21.28 +0.18 pp
1999 21.11 +0.16 pp
1998 20.95 +0.11 pp
1997 20.84 +0.05 pp
1996 20.79 −0.02 pp
1995 20.81 −0.02 pp
1994 20.84 −0.01 pp
1993 20.85 +0.06 pp
1992 20.79 +0.1 pp
1991 20.69 +0.06 pp
1990 20.63

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.