Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — South Asia

Female labor force participation rate in South Asia in 2025 — 32.98%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 3.25 pp.

2025 32.98% +0.01 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 34.04%2005
Period minimum 27.46%2014

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — South Asia, 1990–202526283032343619901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 29.73%1991: 29.78%1992: 29.85%1993: 30.01%1994: 30.19%1995: 30.71%1996: 31.28%1997: 31.85%1998: 32.54%1999: 33.04%2000: 33.59%2001: 33.68%2002: 33.77%2003: 33.85%2004: 33.94%2005: 34.04%2006: 32.88%2007: 31.92%2008: 30.99%2009: 30.1%2010: 29.23%2011: 28.45%2012: 27.66%2013: 27.52%2014: 27.46%2015: 27.48%2016: 27.47%2017: 27.82%2018: 27.91%2019: 28.03%2020: 27.62%2021: 29.29%2022: 30.85%2023: 32.05%2024: 32.98%2025: 32.98%
Change over the period: +3.25 pp Annual average: 0.09 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

South Asia 32.98%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — South Asia, by year South Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 32.98 +0.01 pp
2024 32.98 +0.93 pp
2023 32.05 +1.2 pp
2022 30.85 +1.56 pp
2021 29.29 +1.67 pp
2020 27.62 −0.41 pp
2019 28.03 +0.12 pp
2018 27.91 +0.09 pp
2017 27.82 +0.35 pp
2016 27.47 −0 pp
2015 27.48 +0.02 pp
2014 27.46 −0.06 pp
2013 27.52 −0.13 pp
2012 27.66 −0.79 pp
2011 28.45 −0.79 pp
2010 29.23 −0.86 pp
2009 30.1 −0.9 pp
2008 30.99 −0.93 pp
2007 31.92 −0.96 pp
2006 32.88 −1.15 pp
2005 34.04 +0.09 pp
2004 33.94 +0.09 pp
2003 33.85 +0.09 pp
2002 33.77 +0.09 pp
2001 33.68 +0.1 pp
2000 33.59 +0.55 pp
1999 33.04 +0.5 pp
1998 32.54 +0.69 pp
1997 31.85 +0.57 pp
1996 31.28 +0.57 pp
1995 30.71 +0.52 pp
1994 30.19 +0.18 pp
1993 30.01 +0.16 pp
1992 29.85 +0.07 pp
1991 29.78 +0.05 pp
1990 29.73

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.