Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — South America

Female labor force participation rate in South America in 2025 — 53.54%. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 8.27 pp.

2025 53.54% −0.05 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 55.16%2009
Period minimum 45.27%1990

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — South America, 1990–20254547.55052.55557.519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 45.27%1991: 45.56%1992: 46.37%1993: 47.25%1994: 48.11%1995: 49%1996: 48.75%1997: 49.69%1998: 50.35%1999: 50.9%2000: 50.97%2001: 51.88%2002: 52.45%2003: 52.92%2004: 53.83%2005: 54.38%2006: 54.53%2007: 54.49%2008: 54.42%2009: 55.16%2010: 54.41%2011: 53.77%2012: 53.68%2013: 53.42%2014: 53.19%2015: 53.54%2016: 53.75%2017: 54.29%2018: 54.51%2019: 54.83%2020: 50.06%2021: 52.52%2022: 53.49%2023: 53.38%2024: 53.59%2025: 53.54%
Change over the period: +8.27 pp Annual average: 0.24 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

South America 53.54%
World 48.94%
Female labor force participation rate — South America, by year South America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 53.54 −0.05 pp
2024 53.59 +0.21 pp
2023 53.38 −0.11 pp
2022 53.49 +0.97 pp
2021 52.52 +2.45 pp
2020 50.06 −4.77 pp
2019 54.83 +0.32 pp
2018 54.51 +0.22 pp
2017 54.29 +0.54 pp
2016 53.75 +0.21 pp
2015 53.54 +0.36 pp
2014 53.19 −0.24 pp
2013 53.42 −0.25 pp
2012 53.68 −0.09 pp
2011 53.77 −0.64 pp
2010 54.41 −0.74 pp
2009 55.16 +0.73 pp
2008 54.42 −0.07 pp
2007 54.49 −0.05 pp
2006 54.53 +0.15 pp
2005 54.38 +0.55 pp
2004 53.83 +0.91 pp
2003 52.92 +0.47 pp
2002 52.45 +0.56 pp
2001 51.88 +0.91 pp
2000 50.97 +0.07 pp
1999 50.9 +0.55 pp
1998 50.35 +0.67 pp
1997 49.69 +0.94 pp
1996 48.75 −0.25 pp
1995 49 +0.89 pp
1994 48.11 +0.86 pp
1993 47.25 +0.88 pp
1992 46.37 +0.81 pp
1991 45.56 +0.29 pp
1990 45.27

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.