Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Middle Africa

Female labor force participation rate in Middle Africa in 2025 — 61.42%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 10.21 pp.

2025 61.42% −0.15 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 71.63%1990
Period minimum 60.62%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Middle Africa, 1990–20256065707519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 71.63%1991: 71.61%1992: 71.59%1993: 71.58%1994: 71.61%1995: 71.57%1996: 71.39%1997: 71.21%1998: 71.13%1999: 71.09%2000: 71.04%2001: 70.99%2002: 70.94%2003: 70.88%2004: 70.81%2005: 70.75%2006: 70.1%2007: 69.44%2008: 68.41%2009: 67.35%2010: 66.26%2011: 65.29%2012: 64.4%2013: 64.07%2014: 63.73%2015: 63.33%2016: 62.95%2017: 62.57%2018: 62.16%2019: 61.81%2020: 60.62%2021: 61.24%2022: 61.71%2023: 61.53%2024: 61.57%2025: 61.42%
Change over the period: −10.21 pp Annual average: -0.29 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Middle Africa 61.42%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Middle Africa, by year Middle Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 61.42 −0.15 pp
2024 61.57 +0.04 pp
2023 61.53 −0.19 pp
2022 61.71 +0.47 pp
2021 61.24 +0.62 pp
2020 60.62 −1.19 pp
2019 61.81 −0.35 pp
2018 62.16 −0.4 pp
2017 62.57 −0.38 pp
2016 62.95 −0.38 pp
2015 63.33 −0.4 pp
2014 63.73 −0.33 pp
2013 64.07 −0.33 pp
2012 64.4 −0.9 pp
2011 65.29 −0.97 pp
2010 66.26 −1.09 pp
2009 67.35 −1.06 pp
2008 68.41 −1.03 pp
2007 69.44 −0.66 pp
2006 70.1 −0.65 pp
2005 70.75 −0.06 pp
2004 70.81 −0.07 pp
2003 70.88 −0.06 pp
2002 70.94 −0.05 pp
2001 70.99 −0.05 pp
2000 71.04 −0.05 pp
1999 71.09 −0.04 pp
1998 71.13 −0.08 pp
1997 71.21 −0.18 pp
1996 71.39 −0.19 pp
1995 71.57 −0.03 pp
1994 71.61 +0.03 pp
1993 71.58 −0.02 pp
1992 71.59 −0.02 pp
1991 71.61 −0.02 pp
1990 71.63

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.