Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Saudi Arabia

Female labor force participation rate in Saudi Arabia in 2025 — 33.57%. Ranked 160 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 18.55 pp.

2025 33.57% +0.27 pp vs 2024
World rank 160of 182
Period maximum 34.28%2023
Period minimum 14.91%1991

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Saudi Arabia, 1990–202510152025303519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 15.02%1991: 14.91%1992: 14.98%1993: 15.25%1994: 15.53%1995: 15.8%1996: 16.06%1997: 16.33%1998: 16.6%1999: 16.87%2000: 16.39%2001: 15.94%2002: 15.79%2003: 16.17%2004: 16.58%2005: 17.02%2006: 17.52%2007: 17.04%2008: 16.74%2009: 16.42%2010: 17.63%2011: 18.95%2012: 19.76%2013: 19.82%2014: 20.28%2015: 21.64%2016: 22.87%2017: 19.86%2018: 21.82%2019: 24.37%2020: 29.31%2021: 34.22%2022: 34.1%2023: 34.28%2024: 33.31%2025: 33.57%
Change over the period: +18.55 pp Annual average: 0.53 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Saudi Arabia 33.57%
World 48.94%
Western Asia computed 28.37%
High-income countries computed 54.21%
Female labor force participation rate — Saudi Arabia, by year Saudi Arabia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 33.57 +0.27 pp
2024 33.31 −0.97 pp
2023 34.28 +0.18 pp
2022 34.1 −0.12 pp
2021 34.22 +4.91 pp
2020 29.31 +4.94 pp
2019 24.37 +2.54 pp
2018 21.82 +1.97 pp
2017 19.86 −3.01 pp
2016 22.87 +1.23 pp
2015 21.64 +1.36 pp
2014 20.28 +0.46 pp
2013 19.82 +0.06 pp
2012 19.76 +0.8 pp
2011 18.95 +1.33 pp
2010 17.63 +1.21 pp
2009 16.42 −0.32 pp
2008 16.74 −0.3 pp
2007 17.04 −0.48 pp
2006 17.52 +0.5 pp
2005 17.02 +0.45 pp
2004 16.58 +0.41 pp
2003 16.17 +0.38 pp
2002 15.79 −0.15 pp
2001 15.94 −0.45 pp
2000 16.39 −0.48 pp
1999 16.87 +0.27 pp
1998 16.6 +0.27 pp
1997 16.33 +0.27 pp
1996 16.06 +0.27 pp
1995 15.8 +0.27 pp
1994 15.53 +0.27 pp
1993 15.25 +0.28 pp
1992 14.98 +0.07 pp
1991 14.91 −0.12 pp
1990 15.02

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.