Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Northern Africa

Female labor force participation rate in Northern Africa in 2025 — 18.68%. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 2.1 pp.

2025 18.68% −0.09 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 23.17%2010
Period minimum 16.61%2022

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Northern Africa, 1990–2025161820222419901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 20.79%1991: 20.98%1992: 21.46%1993: 21.31%1994: 21.91%1995: 21.5%1996: 21.52%1997: 21.22%1998: 20.99%1999: 21.35%2000: 21.33%2001: 21.36%2002: 20.37%2003: 20.72%2004: 21.09%2005: 21.47%2006: 21.91%2007: 22.85%2008: 22.32%2009: 22.92%2010: 23.17%2011: 23%2012: 22.71%2013: 22.79%2014: 22.71%2015: 22.3%2016: 22.03%2017: 21.28%2018: 19.44%2019: 18.1%2020: 16.67%2021: 16.93%2022: 16.61%2023: 18.77%2024: 18.77%2025: 18.68%
Change over the period: −2.1 pp Annual average: -0.06 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Northern Africa 18.68%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — Northern Africa, by year Northern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 18.68 −0.09 pp
2024 18.77 −0.01 pp
2023 18.77 +2.16 pp
2022 16.61 −0.32 pp
2021 16.93 +0.26 pp
2020 16.67 −1.43 pp
2019 18.1 −1.34 pp
2018 19.44 −1.84 pp
2017 21.28 −0.74 pp
2016 22.03 −0.28 pp
2015 22.3 −0.41 pp
2014 22.71 −0.08 pp
2013 22.79 +0.09 pp
2012 22.71 −0.29 pp
2011 23 −0.17 pp
2010 23.17 +0.25 pp
2009 22.92 +0.6 pp
2008 22.32 −0.53 pp
2007 22.85 +0.94 pp
2006 21.91 +0.44 pp
2005 21.47 +0.38 pp
2004 21.09 +0.36 pp
2003 20.72 +0.35 pp
2002 20.37 −0.99 pp
2001 21.36 +0.04 pp
2000 21.33 −0.02 pp
1999 21.35 +0.35 pp
1998 20.99 −0.23 pp
1997 21.22 −0.3 pp
1996 21.52 +0.02 pp
1995 21.5 −0.41 pp
1994 21.91 +0.6 pp
1993 21.31 −0.15 pp
1992 21.46 +0.48 pp
1991 20.98 +0.19 pp
1990 20.79

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.