Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Central America

Female labor force participation rate in Central America in 2025 — 46.4%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 10.89 pp.

2025 46.4% +0.03 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 46.4%2025
Period minimum 35.51%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Central America, 1990–20253540455019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 35.51%1991: 35.81%1992: 36.45%1993: 37.24%1994: 37.77%1995: 38.71%1996: 38.69%1997: 40.27%1998: 40.35%1999: 39.83%2000: 40.02%2001: 39.67%2002: 39.76%2003: 40.48%2004: 40.67%2005: 41.6%2006: 42.32%2007: 42.64%2008: 42.66%2009: 43.11%2010: 43.14%2011: 43.21%2012: 44.63%2013: 44.51%2014: 44%2015: 44.12%2016: 44.17%2017: 43.81%2018: 44.51%2019: 45.3%2020: 42.51%2021: 45.06%2022: 45.74%2023: 46.14%2024: 46.38%2025: 46.4%
Change over the period: +10.89 pp Annual average: 0.31 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Central America 46.4%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Central America, by year Central America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 46.4 +0.03 pp
2024 46.38 +0.24 pp
2023 46.14 +0.4 pp
2022 45.74 +0.68 pp
2021 45.06 +2.55 pp
2020 42.51 −2.8 pp
2019 45.3 +0.79 pp
2018 44.51 +0.71 pp
2017 43.81 −0.37 pp
2016 44.17 +0.05 pp
2015 44.12 +0.12 pp
2014 44 −0.51 pp
2013 44.51 −0.12 pp
2012 44.63 +1.42 pp
2011 43.21 +0.07 pp
2010 43.14 +0.03 pp
2009 43.11 +0.45 pp
2008 42.66 +0.03 pp
2007 42.64 +0.32 pp
2006 42.32 +0.72 pp
2005 41.6 +0.93 pp
2004 40.67 +0.19 pp
2003 40.48 +0.72 pp
2002 39.76 +0.09 pp
2001 39.67 −0.35 pp
2000 40.02 +0.18 pp
1999 39.83 −0.52 pp
1998 40.35 +0.08 pp
1997 40.27 +1.58 pp
1996 38.69 −0.01 pp
1995 38.71 +0.93 pp
1994 37.77 +0.53 pp
1993 37.24 +0.79 pp
1992 36.45 +0.64 pp
1991 35.81 +0.3 pp
1990 35.51

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.