Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Eastern Africa

Female labor force participation rate in Eastern Africa in 2025 — 65.83%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 6.13 pp.

2025 65.83% +0 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 72.58%1995
Period minimum 65.3%2021

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Eastern Africa, 1990–202564666870727419901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 71.96%1991: 72.08%1992: 72.22%1993: 72.22%1994: 72.39%1995: 72.58%1996: 72.49%1997: 72.39%1998: 72.37%1999: 72.38%2000: 72.39%2001: 72.38%2002: 72.46%2003: 72.53%2004: 72.53%2005: 72.53%2006: 72.44%2007: 72.23%2008: 72.02%2009: 71.8%2010: 71.59%2011: 72.08%2012: 70.71%2013: 72.01%2014: 70.62%2015: 69.79%2016: 68.97%2017: 67.8%2018: 67.15%2019: 66.42%2020: 65.68%2021: 65.3%2022: 65.54%2023: 65.9%2024: 65.83%2025: 65.83%
Change over the period: −6.13 pp Annual average: -0.18 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Eastern Africa 65.83%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Eastern Africa, by year Eastern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 65.83 +0 pp
2024 65.83 −0.07 pp
2023 65.9 +0.36 pp
2022 65.54 +0.24 pp
2021 65.3 −0.38 pp
2020 65.68 −0.75 pp
2019 66.42 −0.73 pp
2018 67.15 −0.65 pp
2017 67.8 −1.18 pp
2016 68.97 −0.81 pp
2015 69.79 −0.84 pp
2014 70.62 −1.39 pp
2013 72.01 +1.31 pp
2012 70.71 −1.37 pp
2011 72.08 +0.49 pp
2010 71.59 −0.22 pp
2009 71.8 −0.22 pp
2008 72.02 −0.21 pp
2007 72.23 −0.21 pp
2006 72.44 −0.09 pp
2005 72.53 +0 pp
2004 72.53 −0.01 pp
2003 72.53 +0.07 pp
2002 72.46 +0.08 pp
2001 72.38 −0.01 pp
2000 72.39 +0.01 pp
1999 72.38 +0.01 pp
1998 72.37 −0.02 pp
1997 72.39 −0.1 pp
1996 72.49 −0.09 pp
1995 72.58 +0.19 pp
1994 72.39 +0.17 pp
1993 72.22 −0 pp
1992 72.22 +0.14 pp
1991 72.08 +0.12 pp
1990 71.96

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.